How to Talk with Practically Anybody about Practically Anything

I read this book almost forty years ago, when I was an extremely introverted pre-teenager, subject even to self-judging suicidal thoughts. I had just moved halfway across the country, a move I actually welcomed because I was willing to get a fresh start with a new school and new friends, if that might be possible. Nevertheless in my new environment, I was still the same shy, nerdy person I had always been - always more eager to avoid people than engage with them. At the heart of my dilemma were the twin worrisome questions: "What should I SAY?" and "Why did I say THAT?" I took the lessons of the book to heart, adopting the attitude that a good conversationalist doesn't have to say anything, but rather can ask almost anything. It helped me survive my teen years, moved me away from low self-esteem towards self-confidence, prepared me for a college degree in mass communications and is responsible in large part for making me someone that others enjoy being with.

Offers sound advice on how to talk with Celebrities, Royalty, Clergymen and Politicians, Bosses, Dates and other Impressionable , The Young and the Old Bores, Drunks and Difficult People.

Whenever I observe Barbara Walters on television she has shown calm and composure consistently. Reading the hardback first edition of "How to Talk with Practically Anybody about Practically Anything" I was amazed and totally taken in on all her purposeful little details of kindness woven through her plans of action. In her chapters she has great timing with laugh out loud humor woven throughout. Initially I had planed to brief this book, pick out chapters, not go through the whole thing word for word, but her writing pulled me in with gentle attraction, what a darling woman. Reading this book gives me fresh picture of authenticity in the human being, Barbara Walters. What a lovely lady.

For a journalist, it's how you start a conversation that's most crucial. Her insights on how to start a pleasant conversation will certainly teach journalists as well as others on how to start a chat. This book is for eager learners.

An excellent book for those of us stumped by what to say next