Reviews

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

punwizard's review against another edition

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informative inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

3.0

italo_carlvino's review

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funny informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

4.0

ninyai's review against another edition

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4.0

Opposite of what majority of people are doing now.

2r3birth's review against another edition

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hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.5

timahoi's review against another edition

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lighthearted slow-paced

0.25

tiziano_cappai's review against another edition

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inspiring medium-paced

5.0

flobi's review against another edition

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informative medium-paced

3.0

nathalieokdeh's review against another edition

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1.0

This book mainly gives you pointers on how to manipulate people to get what you want. But, also calls for being genuine and authentic. Make it make sense.
Few good points were made though. Overall, not worth the read.

mackenziebenn's review against another edition

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5.0

In the concrete jungle of modern life, where connections are currency and influence is the ultimate power move, Dale Carnegie’s "How to Win Friends and Influence People" is the quintessential guide for navigating the social labyrinth. Think of it as the little black book of human relations.

Carnegie’s classic is less about manipulation and more about genuine connection. "You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you," he writes. It’s the golden rule of social dynamics—swap the spotlight and become a connoisseur of conversation. In the world of brunches and boardrooms, this is the equivalent of always having the right thing to say at the right time.

The art of listening is another gem Carnegie polishes to perfection. He advises, "Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves." It’s like the unspoken secret of those effortlessly magnetic individuals who seem to glide through social gatherings. They make others feel seen and heard, transforming casual acquaintances into loyal allies.

"The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it." In a city that never sleeps, filled with strong opinions and even stronger personalities, knowing when to gracefully bow out is a power move. It’s not about conceding defeat but about preserving harmony and, sometimes, your sanity.

Carnegie also preaches the gospel of appreciation. "Give honest and sincere appreciation," he urges. This isn’t about flattery but recognizing the unique sparkle in each person you encounter. It’s the secret sauce that turns fleeting encounters into lasting impressions, much like the enduring allure of a well-worn pair of Manolo Blahniks.

And let’s not forget the power of a name. "Remember that a person’s name is, to that person, the sweetest sound in any language." It’s a simple, yet profound truth in a world where everyone is vying for attention. Calling someone by their name is like a personal invitation to their good graces.

In essence, "How to Win Friends and Influence People" is the ultimate guide to mastering the social scene, from the glamorous galas to the everyday grind. Carnegie’s insights are timeless, providing a roadmap to cultivating genuine relationships and wielding influence with grace. It’s about being the kind of person who lights up a room, not because you demand attention, but because you know how to make everyone else feel like the star of the show.

So, as you navigate the ever-changing tides of life, remember Carnegie’s wisdom. After all, in a city full of stories, it’s the connections we make and the impressions we leave that truly define our own.

himedays's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

Prior to reading this book my initial impressions were that since it was based in the 1930s that it would be more difficult to read due to 1) Context taking place in the early 20th century and 2) The writing style being hard to comprehend akin to how 18th being harder to comprehend. That feeling immediately went away the moment I had started reading and I was amazed to quickly finish it in 9 days. Dale Carnegie's writing style was so easygoing and easily fits in thematically with what he was trying to portray throughout the whole book, with one of the points standing out to me as "trying to understand the other person's perspective." It felt like he was talking directly to the reader in a conversational style along with verbally illustrating out each point by plenty of examples. The only downside I can possibly note would be that if you did not come from the US, it might be hard to understand the examples given, as most of them details political figures, companies, etc. from there, though there are some quotes based off of non-US figures like Napoleon, Socrates, etc. Overall, if you are one who can easily get into disagreements, having trouble communicating clearly, want to be liked, etc. then I would definitely recommend this book!