THE WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS LINGUIST OFFERS A COMPLETELY ORIGINAL ANALYSIS OF THE WAY WE COMMUNICATE--AND A REVOLUTIONARY LANGUAGE TO LIVE BY!
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reviews
Aug 03, 2010
Barky
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I really like Deborah Tannen’s writing style. She writes in short chapters and uses a lot of examples from studies and real life to illustrate her points. This book continues some of her work on communication – moving from the differences between men and women’s styles of communication, she begins talking about an “American” style of communication and culture. Our culture is becoming overly antagonistic and argumentative – obsessed with framing every issue as a debate between two opposing for
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Mar 04, 2011
Although this book is a few years old, it is even more sharply applicable. The first few chapters are the laying out of data and can seem scattered but the final few chapters pull together her ideas in a powerful way. I agreed more and more as I read and saw how the culture of critque and agonism has created many of the scenarios she predicts (less than half the population voting in the 2000 election). Should be required reading for anyone invovled in public discourse in ANY way. I can only hope
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Feb 27, 2011
Nicole
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This was an interesting examination of some of the problems caused by framing everything as an argument. I'm not sure that this happens as often in our society as Tannen thinks it does (maybe it's because I'm in Canada?), but I can definitely see the problems she descibes in media and politics. The examples of other options were interesting, and I was happy to find that Tannen didn't try to set any of them up as a perfect solution.
Aug 05, 2011
Brings up some interesting points with regard to the nature of debate. Rarely is any issue just 2 sided and this book emphasizes the importance of seeking common ground in our discourse.
argument for arguments sake is never productive and although it may be important to stick up for what you believe, the application of reason is more important than shouting down your opponent to win cheap points.
argument for arguments sake is never productive and although it may be important to stick up for what you believe, the application of reason is more important than shouting down your opponent to win cheap points.
Aug 31, 2009
Lena
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This book is about why America argues too much. But you better not disagree with the author or else she will say you are part of the problem. Oh yeah, and if she doesn't like your opinion, she'll say you are on the "fringes of lunacy" and scream that your opinion should not be heard or printed. Freedom of speech is only for people who she agrees with.
Jan 02, 2009
Jeanine Marie
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I would grade this book as a 4.5 if I could. Deborah Tannen is really onto something here as she laments the decline of every pyramidal hierarchy into an adversarial battleground. Could this be one of the unforeseen downsides of capitalism? "Show me the money" takes on new meaning.
Apr 20, 2009
Martine
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After reading this book, hopefully, one will think of the importance of being a good listener and reflecting on one's words before speaking.
Jun 16, 2009
Matt
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Tannen is probably better known for her book "You Just Don't Understand" which looks at the communication differences between men and women.
This book explains why no one in the country listens to authority, and how everything has to be confrontation or a debate.
Also many problems are looked at as having only two sides, when many problems are multi-faceted and many differnet arguments could be made.
A must read for anyone who has to be in authority.
This book explains why no one in the country listens to authority, and how everything has to be confrontation or a debate.
Also many problems are looked at as having only two sides, when many problems are multi-faceted and many differnet arguments could be made.
A must read for anyone who has to be in authority.
Aug 21, 2008
Kate
rated it:
Since I'm writing this as the presidential election heats up, I only grieve that Tannen's book hasn't really made a dent in the obnoxiousness of political/cultural debate in this country. To avoid all the lies and innuendo of the next ten weeks I turn off my tv and my radio so I don't have to poison my mind with that crap. Tannen hits the nail on the head, and keeps hitting and hitting and hitting. Doesn't seem to do much good.
Jan 20, 2009
Mom/sue
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This book presented the author's concern that our culture, especially our journalism, is saturated with the concept that it is only disagreement that makes a subject interesting. Too little content in our news and in our lives.
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