Limited scope leaves little to gain, 17 Jul 2006
I usually find books like this leave me impressed with the understanding the writer has of the subject, but I was disappointed and found this book limited.

There were a few useful points early on, but there was a lot of repetition, and I thought the scope of the book was very narrow. Areas I thought wuld be explored as a matter of course were not covered and there seemed to be a large focus on social conversations with people you work with. Perhaps the biggest impression this has left me with is the difference between American and British conversation; samples phrases given as examples were generally the type seen as cheesy and false by the British but work well in the States. It was hard to read without an American accent in my head.

Essential areas I expected but were not covered included:
Assertiveness
Dealing with confrontation
Persuasive techniques
Calming aggressive people
Getting quiet people to talk
The role and use of open and closed questions

Instead the repetetive returns to social work settings had me flicking back through the book to see if I'd accidentally put my bookmark in the wrong place and was re-reading an old chapter.

I think this may be useful to people who really do have a difficulty in talking to anyone, but to those with limited skills looking to understand conversation better, I would not reccomend this book.

Limited scope leaves little to gain, 17 Jul 2006
I usually find books like this leave me impressed with the understanding the writer has of the subject, but I was disappointed and found this book limited.

There were a few useful points early on, but there was a lot of repetition, and I thought the scope of the book was very narrow. Areas I thought wuld be explored as a matter of course were not covered and there seemed to be a large focus on social conversations with people you work with. Perhaps the biggest impression this has left me with is the difference between American and British conversation; samples phrases given as examples were generally the type seen as cheesy and false by the British but work well in the States. It was hard to read without an American accent in my head.

Essential areas I expected but were not covered included:
Assertiveness
Dealing with confrontation
Persuasive techniques
Calming aggressive people
Getting quiet people to talk
The role and use of open and closed questions

Instead the repetetive returns to social work settings had me flicking back through the book to see if I'd accidentally put my bookmark in the wrong place and was re-reading an old chapter.

I think this may be useful to people who really do have a difficulty in talking to anyone, but to those with limited skills looking to understand conversation better, I would not reccomend this book.

Great entertainment with friends..., 06 May 2004
I have had this and the Love and Sex version for well over 10 years now and they never fail to cause a real stir when they are pulled out with guests. Creates interesting converstations and dilemas (and some arguments too).

If there is a copy available then I recommend you get it. Good fun.

Could ruin a marriage :o), 17 Jun 2003
Pretty amazing, thought provoking questions....but a word of advice.. do not place any expectations on the answer your nearest and dearest might give to some of the questions! The q's have a way of extracting the really honest answer
A really fun book though and an excellent present for someone who likes to think!

So simple, So complicated, 03 Jun 2001
Nothing in life is simple, even the easy stuff is hard. Would you cut off your little finger to save a thousand starving people in Africa? What if it was to save the beautiful four year old girl who lives next door and is so cute? Why is one life more important than a thousand?... this book is amazing, may you never tire of asking yourself the questions.

Questions that help you learn about the people in your life, 30 May 1999
CBIServices.com have chosen to recommend this book as their Book of the Month (June 1999) and rightly so. This small book contains questions on many personal (and usually unprobed) facets of an individual's character. The book alone provides a great night of entertainment as you ask friends, family - even colleagues and associates, a few trying questions.

Limited scope leaves little to gain, 17 Jul 2006
I usually find books like this leave me impressed with the understanding the writer has of the subject, but I was disappointed and found this book limited.

There were a few useful points early on, but there was a lot of repetition, and I thought the scope of the book was very narrow. Areas I thought wuld be explored as a matter of course were not covered and there seemed to be a large focus on social conversations with people you work with. Perhaps the biggest impression this has left me with is the difference between American and British conversation; samples phrases given as examples were generally the type seen as cheesy and false by the British but work well in the States. It was hard to read without an American accent in my head.

Essential areas I expected but were not covered included:
Assertiveness
Dealing with confrontation
Persuasive techniques
Calming aggressive people
Getting quiet people to talk
The role and use of open and closed questions

Instead the repetetive returns to social work settings had me flicking back through the book to see if I'd accidentally put my bookmark in the wrong place and was re-reading an old chapter.

I think this may be useful to people who really do have a difficulty in talking to anyone, but to those with limited skills looking to understand conversation better, I would not reccomend this book.

Great entertainment with friends..., 06 May 2004
I have had this and the Love and Sex version for well over 10 years now and they never fail to cause a real stir when they are pulled out with guests. Creates interesting converstations and dilemas (and some arguments too).

If there is a copy available then I recommend you get it. Good fun.

Could ruin a marriage :o), 17 Jun 2003
Pretty amazing, thought provoking questions....but a word of advice.. do not place any expectations on the answer your nearest and dearest might give to some of the questions! The q's have a way of extracting the really honest answer
A really fun book though and an excellent present for someone who likes to think!

So simple, So complicated, 03 Jun 2001
Nothing in life is simple, even the easy stuff is hard. Would you cut off your little finger to save a thousand starving people in Africa? What if it was to save the beautiful four year old girl who lives next door and is so cute? Why is one life more important than a thousand?... this book is amazing, may you never tire of asking yourself the questions.

Questions that help you learn about the people in your life, 30 May 1999
CBIServices.com have chosen to recommend this book as their Book of the Month (June 1999) and rightly so. This small book contains questions on many personal (and usually unprobed) facets of an individual's character. The book alone provides a great night of entertainment as you ask friends, family - even colleagues and associates, a few trying questions.

Good work of it's time but has been severely criticised now, 02 Sep 2005
It is a very good attempt to model politeness in the language usage of humans, but from the time it was published it has been severely criticised by now. Anyone using this theory must also have the book "Politeness" by Watts which gives a nice overview of the research done in this field, so as to have all have the major shortcomings at hand.

Limited scope leaves little to gain, 17 Jul 2006
I usually find books like this leave me impressed with the understanding the writer has of the subject, but I was disappointed and found this book limited.

There were a few useful points early on, but there was a lot of repetition, and I thought the scope of the book was very narrow. Areas I thought wuld be explored as a matter of course were not covered and there seemed to be a large focus on social conversations with people you work with. Perhaps the biggest impression this has left me with is the difference between American and British conversation; samples phrases given as examples were generally the type seen as cheesy and false by the British but work well in the States. It was hard to read without an American accent in my head.

Essential areas I expected but were not covered included:
Assertiveness
Dealing with confrontation
Persuasive techniques
Calming aggressive people
Getting quiet people to talk
The role and use of open and closed questions

Instead the repetetive returns to social work settings had me flicking back through the book to see if I'd accidentally put my bookmark in the wrong place and was re-reading an old chapter.

I think this may be useful to people who really do have a difficulty in talking to anyone, but to those with limited skills looking to understand conversation better, I would not reccomend this book.

Great entertainment with friends..., 06 May 2004
I have had this and the Love and Sex version for well over 10 years now and they never fail to cause a real stir when they are pulled out with guests. Creates interesting converstations and dilemas (and some arguments too).

If there is a copy available then I recommend you get it. Good fun.

Could ruin a marriage :o), 17 Jun 2003
Pretty amazing, thought provoking questions....but a word of advice.. do not place any expectations on the answer your nearest and dearest might give to some of the questions! The q's have a way of extracting the really honest answer
A really fun book though and an excellent present for someone who likes to think!

So simple, So complicated, 03 Jun 2001
Nothing in life is simple, even the easy stuff is hard. Would you cut off your little finger to save a thousand starving people in Africa? What if it was to save the beautiful four year old girl who lives next door and is so cute? Why is one life more important than a thousand?... this book is amazing, may you never tire of asking yourself the questions.

Questions that help you learn about the people in your life, 30 May 1999
CBIServices.com have chosen to recommend this book as their Book of the Month (June 1999) and rightly so. This small book contains questions on many personal (and usually unprobed) facets of an individual's character. The book alone provides a great night of entertainment as you ask friends, family - even colleagues and associates, a few trying questions.

Good work of it's time but has been severely criticised now, 02 Sep 2005
It is a very good attempt to model politeness in the language usage of humans, but from the time it was published it has been severely criticised by now. Anyone using this theory must also have the book "Politeness" by Watts which gives a nice overview of the research done in this field, so as to have all have the major shortcomings at hand.

Excellent!, 27 Feb 2007
If any student is struggling with getting to grips with Conversation Analysis, then this is the book for you. Schegloff is one of the most knowledgable academics in this area and this book provides confirmation of that fact.
The book is written in a very clear way and is suitable for all students at any level. He provides a step by step guide through all the topics that are necessary to know in this area and also includes several pages of transcription at the back of the book for analysis. All main points are illustrated through the use of examples, however some of the American dialect is a bit tricky to understand.
A worthy addition to any student's bookcase.

Limited scope leaves little to gain, 17 Jul 2006
I usually find books like this leave me impressed with the understanding the writer has of the subject, but I was disappointed and found this book limited.

There were a few useful points early on, but there was a lot of repetition, and I thought the scope of the book was very narrow. Areas I thought wuld be explored as a matter of course were not covered and there seemed to be a large focus on social conversations with people you work with. Perhaps the biggest impression this has left me with is the difference between American and British conversation; samples phrases given as examples were generally the type seen as cheesy and false by the British but work well in the States. It was hard to read without an American accent in my head.

Essential areas I expected but were not covered included:
Assertiveness
Dealing with confrontation
Persuasive techniques
Calming aggressive people
Getting quiet people to talk
The role and use of open and closed questions

Instead the repetetive returns to social work settings had me flicking back through the book to see if I'd accidentally put my bookmark in the wrong place and was re-reading an old chapter.

I think this may be useful to people who really do have a difficulty in talking to anyone, but to those with limited skills looking to understand conversation better, I would not reccomend this book.

Great entertainment with friends..., 06 May 2004
I have had this and the Love and Sex version for well over 10 years now and they never fail to cause a real stir when they are pulled out with guests. Creates interesting converstations and dilemas (and some arguments too).

If there is a copy available then I recommend you get it. Good fun.

Could ruin a marriage :o), 17 Jun 2003
Pretty amazing, thought provoking questions....but a word of advice.. do not place any expectations on the answer your nearest and dearest might give to some of the questions! The q's have a way of extracting the really honest answer
A really fun book though and an excellent present for someone who likes to think!

So simple, So complicated, 03 Jun 2001
Nothing in life is simple, even the easy stuff is hard. Would you cut off your little finger to save a thousand starving people in Africa? What if it was to save the beautiful four year old girl who lives next door and is so cute? Why is one life more important than a thousand?... this book is amazing, may you never tire of asking yourself the questions.

Questions that help you learn about the people in your life, 30 May 1999
CBIServices.com have chosen to recommend this book as their Book of the Month (June 1999) and rightly so. This small book contains questions on many personal (and usually unprobed) facets of an individual's character. The book alone provides a great night of entertainment as you ask friends, family - even colleagues and associates, a few trying questions.

Good work of it's time but has been severely criticised now, 02 Sep 2005
It is a very good attempt to model politeness in the language usage of humans, but from the time it was published it has been severely criticised by now. Anyone using this theory must also have the book "Politeness" by Watts which gives a nice overview of the research done in this field, so as to have all have the major shortcomings at hand.

Excellent!, 27 Feb 2007
If any student is struggling with getting to grips with Conversation Analysis, then this is the book for you. Schegloff is one of the most knowledgable academics in this area and this book provides confirmation of that fact.
The book is written in a very clear way and is suitable for all students at any level. He provides a step by step guide through all the topics that are necessary to know in this area and also includes several pages of transcription at the back of the book for analysis. All main points are illustrated through the use of examples, however some of the American dialect is a bit tricky to understand.
A worthy addition to any student's bookcase.

Tired of Making Standard Small Talk? Try These Questions!, 23 May 2004
You will find some of the most interesting personal questions you have ever read in this book. You can use the questions in several ways: to amuse yourself; to stimulate even more intriguing questions; to grow closer to those you care about; and to ask others you know less well the same questions as a way to become acquainted. As a result, you should find your dinner table conversation much enlivened! As the authors say, " . . . This book was designed to make your conversations more creative, interesting and exciting."

The questions are in no particular order, and you can browse or go through from 1-320 in numerical order.

Here are a few of my favorites (with their numerical order noted in parentheses):

(320) "If you could add any question to this book, what would it be?"

(70) "If you could change the custom of shaking hands, what would you replace it with?"

(131) "If you had to choose your own epitaph of seven words or less (besides name and dates), what would it be?"

(181) "What bit of knowledge/advice do you have that you wish you could pass on to everyone else?"

(184) "What fear do you most want to be rid of forever?"

(213) "What is something that you enjoy that is a chore for most other people?"

(215) "What world record would you most want to establish?"

(273) "What is one of the simple pleasures of life you truly enjoy?"

In a group setting (perhaps like in a parlor game), you are encouraged to give everyone 60 seconds to answer before going on to the next person, unless the people involved want more or less time. The authors suggest that if you don't know what the answer is, you should imagine what the answer might be if you knew and be as creative as possible. If you get onto a subject you love, you can just stay on it. You don't have to go on to another question.

I think these are great stallbusting questions because they can make you aware of your complacency. If there are things you love, and you are not doing them, what's wrong? The epitaph question is a good start on considering your life's purpose. Are you living it? If you have a terrible fear you want to get rid of, what are you doing about it? As I went through the questions, I saw direct or indirect attacks on over 35 stalls that drain joy and accomplishment from life.

I suspect that you will get more good out of this book if you do the more stimulating questions with someone you love. That can be a great way to draw you closer together. In a way, this can be like some of the exercises in Relationship Rescue. In that book, you are encouraged to answer the questions first for yourself, then as you think the other person will answer them. Then you compare actual results, and discuss what it all means.

Enjoy getting to know yourself and others much better! BE SURE TO ACT ON WHAT YOU LEARN!

One of the most thought-provoking books ever!!, 30 Jul 1999
I recommend this book to anyone who wants ideas for conversation with friends, family, lovers, co-workers. The questions in this book help you to discover things about people which you may never have an occasion to talk about in the course of everyday interaction. I learned amazing things about people I am VERY close to which helped to enhance and enrich our communication and understanding of one another. It is worth every penny!!! A FANTASTIC gift for ANYONE!!!

A great ice-breaker!, 13 Mar 1999
I loved this book. As a spublis speaker, I've placed my copy permanently in my briefcase, where I used it frequently as openers for my engagements. The questions are fabulous, and there's something in it for everyone. As the intro states, the authors specifically avoid any questions involving religious or political opinions, so any random question is sure to appease all. I also use it when friends come for dinner...it's great fun. I also pull it out for long trips in the car with others. And I think it would be a real kick to add a question on your answering machine ('leave your name, your number and the one word or phrase you wish people would say more often')....simply put, I love it.

Exciting and Thought Provoking, 11 Jul 1998
Bret's and Paul's book is a must buy for every household. I strongly recommend this book to initiate conversation whenever needed. For example, we took the book with us on a long trip in the car and kept the kids entertained for hours on end. My daughter also used this book at her birthday party as a party game. I have also heard a famous Chicago WGN radio djay use this book once a week as part of his regular show.

Buy The Book of Questions instead..., 16 Jun 1998
not very "thought-provoking" as the book claims, just get Gregory Stock's Book of Question's instead if you ARE looking for a true "conversation piece"..

Limited scope leaves little to gain, 17 Jul 2006
I usually find books like this leave me impressed with the understanding the writer has of the subject, but I was disappointed and found this book limited.

There were a few useful points early on, but there was a lot of repetition, and I thought the scope of the book was very narrow. Areas I thought wuld be explored as a matter of course were not covered and there seemed to be a large focus on social conversations with people you work with. Perhaps the biggest impression this has left me with is the difference between American and British conversation; samples phrases given as examples were generally the type seen as cheesy and false by the British but work well in the States. It was hard to read without an American accent in my head.

Essential areas I expected but were not covered included:
Assertiveness
Dealing with confrontation
Persuasive techniques
Calming aggressive people
Getting quiet people to talk
The role and use of open and closed questions

Instead the repetetive returns to social work settings had me flicking back through the book to see if I'd accidentally put my bookmark in the wrong place and was re-reading an old chapter.

I think this may be useful to people who really do have a difficulty in talking to anyone, but to those with limited skills looking to understand conversation better, I would not reccomend this book.

Great entertainment with friends..., 06 May 2004
I have had this and the Love and Sex version for well over 10 years now and they never fail to cause a real stir when they are pulled out with guests. Creates interesting converstations and dilemas (and some arguments too).

If there is a copy available then I recommend you get it. Good fun.

Could ruin a marriage :o), 17 Jun 2003
Pretty amazing, thought provoking questions....but a word of advice.. do not place any expectations on the answer your nearest and dearest might give to some of the questions! The q's have a way of extracting the really honest answer
A really fun book though and an excellent present for someone who likes to think!

So simple, So complicated, 03 Jun 2001
Nothing in life is simple, even the easy stuff is hard. Would you cut off your little finger to save a thousand starving people in Africa? What if it was to save the beautiful four year old girl who lives next door and is so cute? Why is one life more important than a thousand?... this book is amazing, may you never tire of asking yourself the questions.

Questions that help you learn about the people in your life, 30 May 1999
CBIServices.com have chosen to recommend this book as their Book of the Month (June 1999) and rightly so. This small book contains questions on many personal (and usually unprobed) facets of an individual's character. The book alone provides a great night of entertainment as you ask friends, family - even colleagues and associates, a few trying questions.

Good work of it's time but has been severely criticised now, 02 Sep 2005
It is a very good attempt to model politeness in the language usage of humans, but from the time it was published it has been severely criticised by now. Anyone using this theory must also have the book "Politeness" by Watts which gives a nice overview of the research done in this field, so as to have all have the major shortcomings at hand.

Excellent!, 27 Feb 2007
If any student is struggling with getting to grips with Conversation Analysis, then this is the book for you. Schegloff is one of the most knowledgable academics in this area and this book provides confirmation of that fact.
The book is written in a very clear way and is suitable for all students at any level. He provides a step by step guide through all the topics that are necessary to know in this area and also includes several pages of transcription at the back of the book for analysis. All main points are illustrated through the use of examples, however some of the American dialect is a bit tricky to understand.
A worthy addition to any student's bookcase.

Tired of Making Standard Small Talk? Try These Questions!, 23 May 2004
You will find some of the most interesting personal questions you have ever read in this book. You can use the questions in several ways: to amuse yourself; to stimulate even more intriguing questions; to grow closer to those you care about; and to ask others you know less well the same questions as a way to become acquainted. As a result, you should find your dinner table conversation much enlivened! As the authors say, " . . . This book was designed to make your conversations more creative, interesting and exciting."

The questions are in no particular order, and you can browse or go through from 1-320 in numerical order.

Here are a few of my favorites (with their numerical order noted in parentheses):

(320) "If you could add any question to this book, what would it be?"

(70) "If you could change the custom of shaking hands, what would you replace it with?"

(131) "If you had to choose your own epitaph of seven words or less (besides name and dates), what would it be?"

(181) "What bit of knowledge/advice do you have that you wish you could pass on to everyone else?"

(184) "What fear do you most want to be rid of forever?"

(213) "What is something that you enjoy that is a chore for most other people?"

(215) "What world record would you most want to establish?"

(273) "What is one of the simple pleasures of life you truly enjoy?"

In a group setting (perhaps like in a parlor game), you are encouraged to give everyone 60 seconds to answer before going on to the next person, unless the people involved want more or less time. The authors suggest that if you don't know what the answer is, you should imagine what the answer might be if you knew and be as creative as possible. If you get onto a subject you love, you can just stay on it. You don't have to go on to another question.

I think these are great stallbusting questions because they can make you aware of your complacency. If there are things you love, and you are not doing them, what's wrong? The epitaph question is a good start on considering your life's purpose. Are you living it? If you have a terrible fear you want to get rid of, what are you doing about it? As I went through the questions, I saw direct or indirect attacks on over 35 stalls that drain joy and accomplishment from life.

I suspect that you will get more good out of this book if you do the more stimulating questions with someone you love. That can be a great way to draw you closer together. In a way, this can be like some of the exercises in Relationship Rescue. In that book, you are encouraged to answer the questions first for yourself, then as you think the other person will answer them. Then you compare actual results, and discuss what it all means.

Enjoy getting to know yourself and others much better! BE SURE TO ACT ON WHAT YOU LEARN!

One of the most thought-provoking books ever!!, 30 Jul 1999
I recommend this book to anyone who wants ideas for conversation with friends, family, lovers, co-workers. The questions in this book help you to discover things about people which you may never have an occasion to talk about in the course of everyday interaction. I learned amazing things about people I am VERY close to which helped to enhance and enrich our communication and understanding of one another. It is worth every penny!!! A FANTASTIC gift for ANYONE!!!

A great ice-breaker!, 13 Mar 1999
I loved this book. As a spublis speaker, I've placed my copy permanently in my briefcase, where I used it frequently as openers for my engagements. The questions are fabulous, and there's something in it for everyone. As the intro states, the authors specifically avoid any questions involving religious or political opinions, so any random question is sure to appease all. I also use it when friends come for dinner...it's great fun. I also pull it out for long trips in the car with others. And I think it would be a real kick to add a question on your answering machine ('leave your name, your number and the one word or phrase you wish people would say more often')....simply put, I love it.

Exciting and Thought Provoking, 11 Jul 1998
Bret's and Paul's book is a must buy for every household. I strongly recommend this book to initiate conversation whenever needed. For example, we took the book with us on a long trip in the car and kept the kids entertained for hours on end. My daughter also used this book at her birthday party as a party game. I have also heard a famous Chicago WGN radio djay use this book once a week as part of his regular show.

Buy The Book of Questions instead..., 16 Jun 1998
not very "thought-provoking" as the book claims, just get Gregory Stock's Book of Question's instead if you ARE looking for a true "conversation piece"..

Doing business with Germany? - Get this book!, 08 Sep 2001
This book is an invaluable resource for those studying german for business useage. It gives the kind of information never to be found in the standard language course literature and study aids. The cassette pack is very useful and is great practice for understanding the spoken language as it is used. I highly recommend this book and the accompanying audio tapes - you can purchase the pack or the book on its own. Beats the usual simplistic stuff available in most courses.