"How to Win Friends and Influence People" Book Review

A new favorite personal development book of mine is now Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People." On the cover of Carnegie's classic book, a little gold medallion reads "Over 15,000,000 Copies Sold". There is no doubt in my mind that this book has sold that much and millions more by word of mouth. It's been said that word of mouth is one of the best forms of advertisement. And make no mistake, if you read "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie you will recommend this book to your friends also.

When I first read the title "How to Win Friends and Influence People" I thought it sounded slightly manipulative, and I'm not interested in that. Fortunately, the book is anything but manipulation techniques. In fact, it's so grounded in being true, honest, and caring that to say you will "win" friends using the wise words in this book is almost a misnomer. To the contrary, you will develop a winning personality and that will make you an infinitely more attractive person.

"How to Win Friends and Influence People" Book Review

Although the book was originally written in the 1930's it has been updated and it is undoubtedly as relevant today as it could have been centuries ago.

"How to Win Friends and Influence People" is divided into 4 parts. Those four parts are:

1. Fundamental techniques in handling people
2. Six ways to make people like you
3. How to win people to your way of thinking
4. Be a leader: How to change people without giving offense or arousing resentment

Within each part there are information-packed chapters such as: The big secret in dealing with people, You can't win an argument, Do this and you'll be welcome anywhere, An appeal that everybody likes, How to criticize -- And not be hated for it, and Making people glad to do what you want. Do these sound like subjects that could dramatically improve the quality of your relationships and your life? It certainly did to me!

In general, "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie stresses the importance of empathy — seeing things from other peoples' point of view, and trying to develop win-win scenarios. To the contrary, many people in today's world are simply thinking, "How can I get what I want out of this person?" But Carnegie's book is so much more than that as well. To me, it is a handbook in human relations whether they be friends, family, business or professional relationships.

Great Features of "How to Win Friends and Influence People"

The book is practical. Simple advice like using peoples' names more often can instantly let them know you're interested in them. Dale Carnegie points out that to each person their name is the most precious sound in the world. Not only is the advice very practical, but it's immediate as well. There's no voodoo or wishing or dreaming necessary. As Jim Rohn might say, you don't have to move to Sedona, Arizona and sleep under a crystal for this stuff to work! When you learn to make someone else feel important then you will notice such immediacy.

"How to Win Friends and Influence People" Summary

Carnegie was a teacher of his methods, and it shows through in the book. Rather than merely giving good advice or spelling out techniques, "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie is delivered like a high quality instructional course. At the end of each chapter are reviews. Throughout the book there are relevant stories about how some of his students successfully applied the techniques. And, rather than a reader wondering "How do I apply this?" there are practical examples about how you can take what's written on these pages and transfer that information into noticeable changes in your life.

This stuff applies to everyone — not just for business or material success, but for life success. Everybody wants to have better relationships with the people in their lives, and "How to Win Friends and Influence People" delivers that.

Conclusion

When it's all said and done, my "How to Win Friends and Influence People" book review just begins to scratch the surface of the powerful messages held in Dale Carnegie's book. Not only has it quickly become a staple in my personal development and self improvement library, but I highly recommend it to you.



If you want to learn some practical, applicable strategies, techniques, and ways of thinking to immediately help you improve your relationships with others then "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie has a lot to offer you.