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phenixsnow's review against another edition
2.0
This book is a memoir/evidence-based argument for how teaching improv skills can improve individuals empathy and in turn their ability to communicate with any kind of audience. It's an interesting concept but not necessarily directly applicable for the average person, though I suppose you could enroll in an improv class.
I listened to the audiobook, which was read by the author. He has a very engaging tone and is easy to listen to but I felt like I was being told the same concept over and over so my interest waned. I rated the book low because I got bored about a 1/3 or the way through. The book felt in part like an advertising prop whose main goal was to convince potential customers of the communication skills institute that the author helped found to purchase training.
I listened to the audiobook, which was read by the author. He has a very engaging tone and is easy to listen to but I felt like I was being told the same concept over and over so my interest waned. I rated the book low because I got bored about a 1/3 or the way through. The book felt in part like an advertising prop whose main goal was to convince potential customers of the communication skills institute that the author helped found to purchase training.
sheilabookworm3369's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the audio edition very much, especially the bits relating to the importance of story.
brynphd's review against another edition
4.0
It was a breezy, enjoyable read that makes an argument for storytelling as a means to communicate science to a larger audience. Some of the deeper claims underpinning why this is important, I.e., the underlying constructs of empathy, familiarity, tying emotion to a story as a means of better solidifying memories, sound plausible - and indeed, who couldn’t stand to look for a way to relate to someone else? With that, I take off a star for the lack of references to these claims (other than citing an author name); we need both storytelling and the receipts in science.
I think it’s a great place to start thinking about using stories as a knowledge translation tool and how we can find common ground with others in order to share our message.
I think it’s a great place to start thinking about using stories as a knowledge translation tool and how we can find common ground with others in order to share our message.
mdrfromga's review against another edition
3.0
Alda is a talented writer, and it's worth the read for that alone. But the book could be abridged. Nonetheless, there are many helpful suggestions for better communication.
terrimpin's review against another edition
3.0
I love Alan Alda, and I love his storytelling abilities. There were funny moments, and if you're a student of communications or STEM, then you'll enjoy this.
karenchase's review against another edition
3.0
I heard Alan Alda on the radio, talking about this book, and it sounded interesting so I picked it up at the library. And, it is interesting, but not interesting enough to read all the way through. I got about halfway and then stopped. I enjoyed the concepts he discusses here--communication, relating, empathy, etc.--and the way he describes learning to use acting techniques, particularly improv, to improve (and teach others how to improve) general communication skills. The text is very straightforward and clear, not a lot of jargon or technical language. It would be ironic if there were, since a big chunk of the book is about making esoteric topics understandable to laymen. I think this is a successful exercise, and I'm sure it will be useful to people who want to explore these ideas. Alda is clearly a smart, thoughtful guy, which I have suspected ever since I watched him on MASH throughout my childhood.
disasterchick's review against another edition
5.0
I got to hear Alda speak in November and he cover much of this book in his talk. I did the audio version which he performs. Great advice on a skill we should all try to improve.
trike's review against another edition
4.0
Alan Alda did a yoeman’s job explaining science to ordinary folks as the host of PBS’ Scientific America Frontiers and this book is in the same vein as that much-missed TV series. This is not rigorous science reporting; instead, it is simply Alda’s anecdotal experiences teaching scientists, doctors and teachers how to communicate more effectively. Think of it like an extended TED talk: it’s meant to get you curious about the subject so you can go down various rabbit holes of your choosing. Follow your nose, see where it leads you.
For me, I came away from this with a greater appreciation of improv acting, particularly mirroring, which is something I’ve watched but never heard anyone explain before. Mirroring is when two people mimic each other’s movements and/or speech, to the point where they are almost perfectly in sync. I’d assumed it was a clever acting trick, but apparently it goes deeper than that, engaging parts of our brains we don’t use much, which is intriguing. The fact that non-actors can quickly become adept at this and find it beneficial to their work is really interesting.
That leads to a discussion of the differences between empathy and sympathy, a distinction I’d never pondered before. Bullies and other human monsters have plenty of empathy, the ability to understand your feelings, which is why they can so readily push your buttons, but they lack sympathy, which allows them to commiserate with you and share your emotions.
I think this is well worth your time because it opens up a fascinating new way to view others.
For me, I came away from this with a greater appreciation of improv acting, particularly mirroring, which is something I’ve watched but never heard anyone explain before. Mirroring is when two people mimic each other’s movements and/or speech, to the point where they are almost perfectly in sync. I’d assumed it was a clever acting trick, but apparently it goes deeper than that, engaging parts of our brains we don’t use much, which is intriguing. The fact that non-actors can quickly become adept at this and find it beneficial to their work is really interesting.
That leads to a discussion of the differences between empathy and sympathy, a distinction I’d never pondered before. Bullies and other human monsters have plenty of empathy, the ability to understand your feelings, which is why they can so readily push your buttons, but they lack sympathy, which allows them to commiserate with you and share your emotions.
I think this is well worth your time because it opens up a fascinating new way to view others.