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weekday's review against another edition
I didn't enjoy the writing and I didn't reap any good advice.
mdrewb20's review against another edition
3.0
I'm glad I got the audiobook version of this, the author is a good storyteller. The book started out fairly strong and seemed to be going places, but it lost its way towards the end. Still, it was an enjoyable listen even if I really didn't learn anything.
bre13rose's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
kweber1989's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
3.0
As a therapist, I understood most of what Alan was referencing in this book, but that doesn’t make it any less interesting. I appreciated reading about communication from the perspective of improv as a tool, as that’s something I haven’t (and probably would never) do. Good if you’re looking for a quick read on communication, but if it was any longer I may not have finished it. Just appreciating the little reminder of the importance of empathy.
rossfreeman's review against another edition
3.0
The content of this book is good, highly relevant but perhaps slightly drawn out. Comparisons between Alda's career as an actor and the science behind empathizing, relating and connecting with your audience are well made. It changed my opinion of improv and the benefits that people derive from this when trying to understand others better. I enjoyed Alda's writing style: droplets of humour and regular use of story.
It's ironic that I'm critiquing the communication of a book based on communication, but I felt that there was often a tenuous link between chapters. The first section of the book was also lengthy and could have been more compact (much like the book's title).
Content putting the book down after a chapter or two. Average.
It's ironic that I'm critiquing the communication of a book based on communication, but I felt that there was often a tenuous link between chapters. The first section of the book was also lengthy and could have been more compact (much like the book's title).
Content putting the book down after a chapter or two. Average.
stevenyenzer's review against another edition
3.0
Kind of a weird pop-science-cum-memoir. Alda is a solid writer and the questions he asks of scientists are interesting. But it didn't quite come together for me.
papidoc's review against another edition
5.0
Alan Alda (yes, that Alan Alda) does a nice job of exploring some interesting ideas on how to improve communication, especially that of scientists and other experts communicating with less expert audiences. I have learned and adopted some of his recommendations simply as a result of 30 years of trial and error, but others were new to me, and almost immediately useful. This is one book I wish had been available when I began my career in the early eighties.
Alda, who has worked closely with the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science since it was established at Stony Brook University in 2009, is funny, engaging, interesting, and scientifically rigorous as he explores ways of improving communication. These range from what we can learn and adapt from improvisational techniques, to how to ethically use (and not abuse) empathy, to how to adjust to your audience, and what we can learn from work with people on the autism spectrum (mirroring techniques).
For anyone interested in improving their communication skills (which should be everyone!), I recommend this book. Read it with a notebook nearby, and do more than just absorb the information...practice it!
Alda, who has worked closely with the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science since it was established at Stony Brook University in 2009, is funny, engaging, interesting, and scientifically rigorous as he explores ways of improving communication. These range from what we can learn and adapt from improvisational techniques, to how to ethically use (and not abuse) empathy, to how to adjust to your audience, and what we can learn from work with people on the autism spectrum (mirroring techniques).
For anyone interested in improving their communication skills (which should be everyone!), I recommend this book. Read it with a notebook nearby, and do more than just absorb the information...practice it!
dee_loves_toread's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.75