Enlightenment Essentials: Book Reviews

How to Win Friends and Influence People
By Dale Carnegie

The following summary is intended for those who own the book. [I will soon be adding excerpts from the book, so be sure to come back later!] If you don't own the book, I highly recommend it. Amazon.com sells the paperback version of this book at an excellent value. I have bought multiple copies of this exact edition of the book to give away as gifts, and I have never regretted it.

Part One
Fundamental Techniques in Handling People

1. "If You Want to Gather Honey, Don't Kick Over the Beehive"
   Don't criticize, condemn or complain.
2. The Big Secret of Dealing with People
   Give honest and sincere appreciation.
3. "He Who Can Do This Has the Whole World with Him. He Who Cannot Walks a Lonely Way."
   Arouse in the other person an eager want.

1. Do This and You'll Be Welcome Anywhere
   Become genuinely interested in other people.
2. A Simple Way to Make a Good First Impression
   Smile.
3. If You Don't Do This, You are Headed for Trouble
   Remember that a person's name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.
4. An Easy Way to Become a Good Conversationalist
   Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.
5. How to Interest People
   Talk in terms of the other person's interests.
6. How to Make People Like You Instantly
   Make the other person feel important--and do it sincerely.

1. You Can't Win an Argument
   The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.
2. A Sure Way of Making Enemies--And How to Avoid it
   Show respect for the other person's opinions. Never say, "You're wrong."
3. If You're Wrong, Admit It
   If you are wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically.
4. A Drop of Honey
   Begin in a friendly way.
5. The Secret of Socrates
   Get the other person saying "yes, yes" immediately.
6. The Safety Valve in Handling Complaints
   Let the other person do a great deal of the talking.
7. How To Get Cooperation
   Let the other person feel that the idea is his or hers.
8. A Formula That Will Work Wonders for You
   Try honestly to see things from the other person's point of view.
9. What Everybody Wants
   Be sympathetic with the other person's ideas and desires.
10. An Appeal That Everybody Likes
    Appeal to the nobler motives.
11. The Movies Do It. TV Does It. Why Don't You Do It?
    Dramatize your ideas.
12. When Nothing Else Works, Try This
    Throw down a challenge.

1. If You Must Find Fault, This Is the Way to Begin
   Begin with praise and honest appreciation.
2. How to Criticize--And Not Be Hated for It
   Call attention to people's mistakes indirectly.
3. Talk About Your Own Mistakes First
   Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person.
4. No One Likes to Take Orders
   Ask questions instead of giving direct orders.
5. Let the Other Person Save Face
   Let the other person save face.
6. How to Spur People On to Success
   Praise the slightest improvement and praise every improvement. Be "hearty in your approbation and lavish in your praise."
7. Give a Dog a Good Name
   Give the other person a fine reputation to live up to.
8. Make the Fault Seem Easy to Correct
   Use encouragement. Make the fault seem easy to correct.
9. Making People Glad to Do What You Want
   Make the other person happy about doing the thing you suggest.