Body Language

What with my University education majoring in Sociology and Psychology, I had of course learned much about body language before. I was expecting the same small basics to be presented in this book. I'm pleased to say that this is not the case! The book is thorough, comprehensive. It gives you so much to learn about. I find that reading it through several times has greatly enhanced my social situations. I go to diners, markets, my family's house - all are playgrounds for me to test what I've learned in this book. I can't believe (nor even articulate fully) what a different world I seem to be a part of now, some secret world revealed only to me. The only reason I give this book a "4" is due to the illustrations. At first, I couldn't stand them; I was looking for actual photos. The illustrations get confusing when she gives the characters names that you must track and follow. It gets easier as the book goes along, and she does a decent job of explaining who she is referencing. I found that, by the end, I had become very attached to the drawings. Being what they are, they highlight the feature point she is trying to make, without bringing in all the other cues that could be read on a face/body at the same time. She is therefore able to isolate what she is attempting to present more thoroughly. Incidentally, I first borrowed the book from my library - it had a waiting list about a mile long, so it MUST be well-accepted. Overall, the best thing about this book is that it is so easy to understand, so you can really apply it right away. In a review of another similar book, the reviewer had said something to the effect of "this information was common sense, but not before I read the book." At the time, I was a bit confused by what that person had said; now I compleely agree. It's amazing that we all already subconsciously knwo all the information that is within this book. This book brings this into our conscious lives so simply.

Stop gathering wool and composing shopping lists during those long, boring staff meetings! Start observing the body language of co-workers and bosses. It's fun! This book will get you started on your new 'hobby'. My kind of book - lots of pictures and the text is concise and to the point. Unlike, oh I don't know, long boring staff meetings!!

Unlike other body language books I've read, Susan Quilliam does a creditable job of explaining and applying the information presented. I've tried to decipher and apply the material presented in some non-verbal language books, but sometimes that illustration of close set eyes just does not give me enough information to match what I've seen with what I've read.In contrast, Susan's book is very logically laid out and presented. It shows actual pictures rather than sketches to illustrate a point or range of similar situations. She clearly places you in a situation then gives you several examples both how to read another's signs as well as explains what you can do to give the impression you want. To a limited extent, she goes one step further and offers explanations about unfavorable reactions and what might be causing them. I haven't finished reading all of the book, but I like what I have read so far and believe this would make a very good reference book for me. I plan on creating a step-by-step "cheat sheet" to help me adjust some of my non-verbal signals to better achieve results I want from first impressions or relieving that awkward first conversation. I believe Susan has provided very clear instructions on how to do this.This book isn't just an index reference, but a practical application book. I'm now very curious to see how closely her other books mirror the way this one was written and presented. I give the book 4 stars only because I haven't finished reading it.