The Fine Art of Small Talk: How To Start a Conversation, Keep It Going, Build Networking Skills -- and Leave a Positive Impression! | 
 enlarge | Author: Debra Fine
Publisher: Hyperion
Category: Book
List Price: $16.95
Buy New: $5.00
You Save: $11.95 (71%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  62 reviews
Sales Rank: 11574
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 224
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5.2 x 0.8
ISBN: 1401302262
Dewey Decimal Number: 302.346
EAN: 9781401302269
ASIN: 1401302262
Publication Date: October 1, 2005
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Condition: New - Fast shipping from trusted wholesaler with many exclusive publisher contracts.
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Product Description
Nationally recognized communication expert Debra Fine reveals the techniques and strategies anyone can use to make small talkin any situation Do you spend an abnormal amount of time hiding out in the bathroom or hanging out at the buffet table at social gatherings? Does the thought of striking up a conversation with a stranger make your stomach do flip-flops? Do you sit nervously through job interviews waiting for the other person to speak? Are you a Nervous Ned or Nellie when it comes to networking? Then its time you mastered The Fine Art of Small Talk. With practical advice and conversation cheat sheets, The Fine Art of Small Talk will help you learn to feel more comfortable in any type of social situation, from lunch with the boss to an association event to a cocktail party where you dont know a soul.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 57 more reviews...
 Boring August 14, 2008
I got Debra's book on CD. She talks about very basic stuff for a long time in a very boring way. In addition, she is not a good speaker. In fact she sounds like a very poor actress. I don't recommend that CD unless you are looking for a very basic stuff such as how to introduce yourself. If I could return it, I would do it.
 Adding a dimension to a fine book May 27, 2008
I periodically teach a course for newly-hired and largely inexperienced application software consultants, "Soft Skills." This book with its imparted wisdoms from a person who climbed the ladder so to speak and its practical, checklist approach is one of the best I have read. I recommend it to my classes.
It is probably worthwhile for persons interested in effective human-to-human communication to also consider that knowledge of non-verbal communication and an ability to handle contentious issues are also key elements. Adding these to this fine book would make it less accessible so I recommend that persons who seek competence in this area explore these other topics as well.
 Good but not the best April 6, 2008
it is good book. Nothing special. From rank of 5 I would put 3. A little bit boring and very ordinary. Won't worse reading if you are working with sharp partners and need to be different and better than ordinary joe.
 A lot of Technique but very little Social IQ March 15, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Based on some of the 4 and 5 stars reviews here I approached this book with excitement and high expectations only to be let down - hard.
The author states that her background is in Engineering and, frankly, I'm not surprised. The "problem" of small talk and conversation is treated like an engineering project rather than the fine art that it truly is (regardless the title). If you're an engineer (like I am) you might be tempted to believe that the litany of manipulative formulas presented here actually make sense and will work. And, I'm sure that they do - with OTHER socially challenged engineers (and others who are socially awkward). So, it's hardly surprising that the Author's client list is filled with companies with a strong engineering culture!
However, in the rest of the real world they're finding out that what is truly effective when it comes to relationships and conversations is "Social IQ". So, therefore, in leiu of this book I would recommend any of the following:
Social Intelligence: The New Science of Human Relationships
Social Intelligence: The New Science of Success
AND that is what is sorely (I would even say conspicuously) missing from this book. Without Social IQ the techniques outlined here are not only ineffective they could be downright irritating to "normies". (and, speaking as an engineer, I would be hard pressed to call most engineers "normal" when it comes to social matters)
However, if you develop Social IQ the techniques that are presented in this book would actually be quite effective - powerful in fact. So this reviewer's consumer advice would be, get this book AFTER you've developed (or refined) your Social IQ skills. Then you will have the essential skills required to be a superb conversationalist and friend!
This may sound daunting (it was for me) but, believe it or not it really isn't and you probably have all that you need lying latent inside you! Social IQ -- that's the key NOT JUST the words and approach that you use.
 "The Fine Art of Small Talk" is the real thing! November 1, 2007
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
"The Fine Art of Small Talk" is the real thing. Accept no substitutions.
Do you dread networking events, meeting new people, hospitality suites and business related social events? That's the question author Debra Fine poses on her Web site.
Let me answer the question. Yes, yes, yes, and yes.
Okay, so I'll admit it. I am the target audience for the book, "The Fine Art of Small Talk."
I'm also the book's publicist, and the reason I took on this particular project is that the book's author is magic. Debra Fine is the real thing. She spends most of her time teaching clients techniques for making small talk. She's one of the few clients who, upon getting a phone call from a publicist asking, "Can you do a radio show this afternoon at 1:00?" will usually say, "I have to check my schedule and see whether I have a break at that time." It's not, "Sure, I have no life. I just like to pretend that I have information that can help people. Plus, I'm bored. Get me all the media opportunities you can!" Debra actually "walks the walk and talks the talk." She disseminates her information for a living, and as a way of life. She teaches the Fine Art of Small Talk because, as she sees it, good communication skills (not to mention good social skills) are the key to great relationships, important friendships, and wonderful career opportunities.
Debra Fine eats, lives, and teaches the Fine Art of Small Talk every day of her life.
The book, "The Fine Art of Small Talk," is the opportunity that Debra gives all of us to take a peek at how she does it -- what does she know that we'd do well to learn? How can we learn to look forward to networking events, meeting new people, hospitality suites and business related social events, and maximize the opportunities those occasions present, instead of dreading them?
"The Fine Art of Small Talk" is the manual you need, and Debra Fine is only teacher you'll want, to help you incorporate solid communication skills into your life -- starting now.
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