Field Guide to Gestures: How to Identify and Interpret Virtually Every Gesture Known to Man

by Melissa Wagner, Nancy Armstrong

Furrowed brows, wiggled fingers, wrinkled noses, shrugged shoulders—with so many rich and varied gestures at our disposal, it’s no wonder anthropologists claim at least 90% of all human communication is non-verbal. But what do all of these signs and signals really mean? And what secrets do they reveal about the person you’re speaking with? Field Guide to Gestures has the answers. Whether you’re communicating with friends, lovers, co-workers, foreigners, or strangers on the street, this handy guide will help you decipher the mysteries of human gesticulation. It features color photographs of more than 100 different gestures, plus a detailed synopsis explaining each gesture’s meanings, origins, and subtle nuances (nodding "yes" takes on an entirely new meaning in Greece!). It’s so chock-full of interesting information, you’ll feel compelled to give it two very enthusiastic thumbs up!

Genres: Reference, Language

320 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2003

Reviews

[Todd Stockslager · Rating 4 out of 5]

So tongue in cheek it almost swallows it, but you will find yourself trying to follow the step by step "Execution:" directions, invariably starting with "Make a fist with one hand" and often demonstrated with line figures.

Call me crazy, but this book will make you smile.

[Mark Pemble · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly witty and informative. I have always wondered how different cultures interpret simple innocent gestures that North Americans give daily.

I will refer back to this book in the future.

[Chris Steele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun book. Learned a few gestures but knew most of them though not all their different meanings. I’m unsure which folks to pass it onto as most gestures are learned as we live.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting, informative and comprehensive collection.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun book, if maybe a little disappointing - it felt kind of padded-out, like more was sometimes written than needed to be. I was also hoping for more gestures that I'd never seen/heard of. I suppose that means I was hoping that there was a unique Ibo gesture meaning "check out the communications satellite" or a Uighur hand sign meaning "Hey, back into the yurt; here come some Han Chinese."

Good to have that whole "live long and prosper" thing cleared up finally. Also valuable: the entry for the 'smile', an expression long in need of thorough exegesis.

[Helga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great bathroom reading!