- ISBN13: 9781606230640
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
One person talks; the other listens. It’s so basic that we take it for granted. Unfortunately, most of us think of ourselves as better listeners than we actually are. Why do we so often fail to connect when speaking with family members, romantic partners, colleagues, or friends? How do emotional reactions get in the way of real communication? This thoughtful, witty, and empathic book has already helped over 100,000 readers break through conflicts and transform their… More >>
The Lost Art of Listening, Second Edition: How Learning to Listen Can Improve Relationships
I had hopes for this book because of the straighforwardness of the title and subtitle — but it doesn’t actually teach you how to listen, just the importance of listening and the reasons people don’t listen. I was already convinced of the need to listen or I wouldn’t have bought the book. I sincerely wanted to learn how to listen effectively. The author provides obvious statements with which no one could disagree, but comes up short on the how-to of it all. He advocates empathy, suspension of one’s own agenda, and genuine attentiveness — who didn’t know that or guess that? The author includes his personal experiences way too often, as though he needed someone to listen to him . . . and the clear-cut, case-in-point examples he gives seem more made-up than real-life. He lost my hopes completely when he writes about “nagging women” who feel their husbands do not listen to them. Unbelievably, his advice to such women is to expect less of their husbands so they will receive more in return. He might as well have told them to shut up.
Rating: 2 / 5
This was suggested to my by my professor and I really don’t feel like it gives me anything I haven’t already learned in my undergrad and now grad classes in counseling. For a non student I can see where this could be helpful.
Rating: 3 / 5
If you’ve ever felt that something was missing from some conversations but couldn’t pinpoint exactly what – this book might be eye (and ear) opening for you. I’d like to carry this book around with me for constant reminders on how to be a better listener! Easy to read with plenty of examples.
Rating: 5 / 5
If you’re looking for a “self-help” or “how to” this book might not be the one for you. However if you want to understand the background behind how and why we choose or choose not to listen, this is a great book. It would be especially helpful for anyone in the psychology or communication arenas, but for the average person trying to become a better listener, it might take a little too long to get to the point (it’s over 300 pages I think). I do enjoy the anecdotal style in which it is written, which helps the reader see the point the author is trying to make.
Rating: 3 / 5