This grandfather of all people-skills books was first published in 1937. It was an overnight hit, eventually selling 15 million copies. How to Win Friends and Influence People is just as useful today as it was when it was first published, because Dale Carnegie had an understanding of human nature that will never be outdated. Financial success, Carnegie believed, is due 15 percent to professional knowledge and 85 percent to "the ability to express ideas, to assume leadership and to arouse enthusiasm among people." He teaches these skills through underlying principles of dealing with people so that they feel important and appreciated. He also emphasises fundamental techniques for handling people without making them feel manipulated. Carnegie says you can make someone want to do what you want them to by seeing the situation from the other person's point of view and "arousing in the other person an eager want." You learn how to make people like you, win people over to your way of thinking, and change people without causing offence or arousing resentment. For instance: "Let the other person feel that the idea is his or hers" and "talk about your own mistakes before criticising the other person." Carnegie illustrates his points with anecdotes of historical figures, leaders of the business world and everyday folks. --Joan Price

2007-08-02 A Book for Life

This is one of the most popular books in print and as soon as you have read a few pages you will understand why. Dale Carnegie writes in a very fluid and easy to follow style which will keep you coming back for me. And even when you have finished the book for the first time, you will reread it again and again.

The principles are clearly stated with examples and stories to illustrate their effectiveness in your everyday life.

This is not just a book to make friends and influence people, this is a book that will guide you in your business and social life in general.