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If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face?: My Adventures in the Art and Science of Relating and Communicating
by
Alan Alda
Alan Alda, the award-winning actor and bestselling author, tells us the fascinating story of his quest to learn how to communicate better, and to teach others to do the same. With his trademark humor and candor, he explores how to develop empathy as the key factor.
Alan Alda has been on a decades-long journey to discover new ways to help people communicate and relate to one ...more
Alan Alda has been on a decades-long journey to discover new ways to help people communicate and relate to one ...more
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Community Reviews
(showing 1-30)
5++ stars
Every single person on the planet should read this book. Alan Alda (who is a phenomenal writer) has written a highly informative book about the importance of communicating better. He then goes on to provide innovative and creative ways to help people do so. He is a natural storyteller, and the book is so entertaining that I completed it in one evening. Alda uses miscommunication stories from his own life to demonstrate how important it is for people to understand each other, and the iss ...more
Every single person on the planet should read this book. Alan Alda (who is a phenomenal writer) has written a highly informative book about the importance of communicating better. He then goes on to provide innovative and creative ways to help people do so. He is a natural storyteller, and the book is so entertaining that I completed it in one evening. Alda uses miscommunication stories from his own life to demonstrate how important it is for people to understand each other, and the iss ...more
Alan Alda is something of an institution at this point. He has parlayed his fame as an actor on a long-running well-written TV serial, M*A*S*H, into doing whatever takes his fancy. Good for him. He was never extensively schooled in science but he loved it, pursued it, made a new kind of career out of having scientists explain their secrets to him on film.
In a way it is out of this experience that this opportunity to explain communication came to him: how do we know the other side in a conversati ...more
In a way it is out of this experience that this opportunity to explain communication came to him: how do we know the other side in a conversati ...more
The greatest science communication failure of recent history occurred during breaking news coverage of the Higgs boson particle discovery. At least, that’s my opinion. This particle, claimed to be the active ingredient in objects having mass, is a huge deal. Yet, look at this gibberish news outlets threw at me as the leading quotation for the achievement.
“We have observed a new boson with a mass of 125.3 plus or minus 0.6 GeV at 4.9 standard deviations.”
No offense to Dr. Joe Incandela, who made ...more
“We have observed a new boson with a mass of 125.3 plus or minus 0.6 GeV at 4.9 standard deviations.”
No offense to Dr. Joe Incandela, who made ...more
As a scientist and author concerned about how we communicate with the general public, I was eager to read this book by revered actor Alan Alda. The book reiterates and expands on a lecture I saw him give a few days ago. Between the two I learned a lot about improving communication. Alda mixes anecdotes and stories from his own experience, both as an actor (M*A*S*H, West Wing, movies, etc.) and his lifelong interest in science that led to him hosting Scientific American Frontiers for 11 years. Re
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***I received my copy through Goodreads Giveaways in exchange for an honest review.***
Alan Alda's hilarious psychology videos got me through high school AP Psych, so I thought this would be a good one. I was pleasantly surprised. Alda tells charming stories that encourage readers to practice responsive listening for change, and also his work helping Science connect with the rest of the world.
Communication [or lack thereof] is creating a serious PR problem for Science The Field and educated peopl ...more
Alan Alda's hilarious psychology videos got me through high school AP Psych, so I thought this would be a good one. I was pleasantly surprised. Alda tells charming stories that encourage readers to practice responsive listening for change, and also his work helping Science connect with the rest of the world.
Communication [or lack thereof] is creating a serious PR problem for Science The Field and educated peopl ...more
This is brilliant. Alda's emphasis on the role that empathy plays in communicating is brilliant--and his practical exercises backed up by research explaining their efficacy was incredibly useful. All writing teachers should read this.
4 Communicating-Stars! ☆☆☆☆
“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”
This book was insightful, funny, i interesting and above all educating. I love Alan Alda! I loved him in Mash and his science interviews on television. I find him to be a smart and honest person. When i heard he wrote this book, i needed to read it, and I'm so happy i did.
Have you ever had a conversation with someone and found out towards the end that the two of you were not having t ...more
“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”
This book was insightful, funny, i interesting and above all educating. I love Alan Alda! I loved him in Mash and his science interviews on television. I find him to be a smart and honest person. When i heard he wrote this book, i needed to read it, and I'm so happy i did.
Have you ever had a conversation with someone and found out towards the end that the two of you were not having t ...more
Many years ago I saw Alan Alda on a TV show, something about scientific frontiers. While that’s mentioned in this book, he focuses on one particular subject, that of empathy.
It all started with an encounter at the dentist’s, where the man couldn’t get his point across to his patient because he couldn’t stop thinking like a dentist. From there Mr. Alda moved to doctors, stating, “People are dying because we can’t communicate in ways that allow us to understand one another.” Another great quote is ...more
It all started with an encounter at the dentist’s, where the man couldn’t get his point across to his patient because he couldn’t stop thinking like a dentist. From there Mr. Alda moved to doctors, stating, “People are dying because we can’t communicate in ways that allow us to understand one another.” Another great quote is ...more
I am always surprised when I read a book by Alan Alda. I loved him dearly in M*A*S*H and have enjoyed his villians and lovers in the movies and TV. I have watched him in the Scientific American series and his giggles at his new and profound discoveries have brought me giggles too. What shall I type to encourage you to read this one? How about this: there is a reason that part of the word improve includes the word improv. Thank you Mr Alda for your insightful exploration. Growing really is as sim
...more
What a strange little book. Alda has spent decades exploring how to get people (scientists, doctors, children, anyone) to communicate better. We could all use this in any situation in life. His findings are that it is not only important to know what you want to say, but how the other person is listening and how much they already know so that they can understand your viewpoint. I learned a lot, and his humor helped get his points across.
If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face? by Alan Alda is a free NetGalley ebook that I read in late May.
Love, love, love this book! Alda uses the concept of theater games to bring about attenuated listening, empathy, recognizing and naming an emotion as it happens, understanding mutually-shared jargon, unity between the heart and mind, emotion for those who are more technically-minded, telling stories over an arc (Question -> Suspense -> Turning Point -> Resolution), rela ...more
Love, love, love this book! Alda uses the concept of theater games to bring about attenuated listening, empathy, recognizing and naming an emotion as it happens, understanding mutually-shared jargon, unity between the heart and mind, emotion for those who are more technically-minded, telling stories over an arc (Question -> Suspense -> Turning Point -> Resolution), rela ...more
I can't say that most of it was original as I've heard many of these concepts before, but what was striking was the simplicity in presentation which was what Alda... What a minute. I see what he did!? Clever chap. Anyway, it was a quick read and a great reminder/intro on how to be a good communicator and a human in the world.
Loved this book.
It taught me many things about communicating, but didn't pound me over the head lecturing at me.
It is written in the friendly voice of Alan Alda, who we all fell for watching MASH and then fell harder watching Scientific American Frontiers.
I have recommended my family read this, and think that everyone who reads this book will learn and be entertained - which is why I am such an avid reader!
It taught me many things about communicating, but didn't pound me over the head lecturing at me.
It is written in the friendly voice of Alan Alda, who we all fell for watching MASH and then fell harder watching Scientific American Frontiers.
I have recommended my family read this, and think that everyone who reads this book will learn and be entertained - which is why I am such an avid reader!
While it is by no means, "the last book you'll ever read on communication" it is extremely insightful. Large emphasis on the value of empathy and understanding how much you know about your field compared with who you're trying to communicate with.
Communication is an art form. We may think we are getting our message through to others, but invariably what the world hears is very different from what we had hoped to convey. Without a doubt, this is problematic in so many ways that we need to ask if individuals can fix that glitch in our interpersonal relationships? The answer is yes, but….but it takes understanding and above all, work. The question is how do we get better at making other understand us? Well the book, If I Understood You, Wou
...more
I thought this was fabulous! And I heard Hawkeye reading to me in my head ;)
My family works with and/or includes engineers, who fall right in with scientists and drs. on......what did you say?
I didn't know there was a center for communications, I think their work must be invaluable for people with disabilities as well.
Very exciting!
My family works with and/or includes engineers, who fall right in with scientists and drs. on......what did you say?
I didn't know there was a center for communications, I think their work must be invaluable for people with disabilities as well.
Very exciting!
Growing up I loved watching Alan Alda. Between MASH reruns and Scientific American Frontier in every class in high school, I feel like we have a great bond. I was super excited to pick up his new book from NetGalley. Full disclosure, even though I read the title, I thought this would be more memoir rather than non-fiction science book that it ended up being. This book was filled with interesting facts and philosophies on communication and empathy, though it just wasn't my jam. I enjoyed the pers
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Read my full review here: http://mimi-cyberlibrarian.blogspot.c...
We all know Alan Alda to be a well-known actor, but what I didn't know about him is that he is a professor of Communications at the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University. He is an expert in communication skills and specializes in training scientists, doctors, and other who must spend their lives communicating.
Alda got his start doing improvisational theater, and later learned a great deal about comm ...more
We all know Alan Alda to be a well-known actor, but what I didn't know about him is that he is a professor of Communications at the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University. He is an expert in communication skills and specializes in training scientists, doctors, and other who must spend their lives communicating.
Alda got his start doing improvisational theater, and later learned a great deal about comm ...more
Jun 06, 2017
Sharon
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
nonfiction,
netgalley
Random House and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face? This is my honest opinion of the book.
If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face? is a tome about the key to good communication between individuals and describes more meaningful and powerful ways to relate to one another. Information that is difficult and hard to grasp can be literally lost during communication, inevitably leading one party to be confused. Alan Al ...more
If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face? is a tome about the key to good communication between individuals and describes more meaningful and powerful ways to relate to one another. Information that is difficult and hard to grasp can be literally lost during communication, inevitably leading one party to be confused. Alan Al ...more
Alan Alda's book, IF I UNDERSTOOD YOU... is engaging, educational, enlightening, and entertaining.
Most importantly, it answers the question: What should I buy as a gift for everyone I know?
Seriously.
I will be buying multiple copies of this book to give as gifts for Father's Day, Graduations, Birthdays, Christmas, Mother's Day, Weddings, and every other possible occasion that needs a gift given. Simply because the book, IF I UNDERSTOOD YOU..., will be a terrific tool for parents, students, publi ...more
Most importantly, it answers the question: What should I buy as a gift for everyone I know?
Seriously.
I will be buying multiple copies of this book to give as gifts for Father's Day, Graduations, Birthdays, Christmas, Mother's Day, Weddings, and every other possible occasion that needs a gift given. Simply because the book, IF I UNDERSTOOD YOU..., will be a terrific tool for parents, students, publi ...more
I was drawn to the book’s challenge to enable scientists to learn how to communicate their knowledge to the rest of us. Alda tells a compelling story he’s had in working with scientists in a program at a well known university.
But, you don’t have to be a scientist to benefit from this book. There’s plenty of good stuff about communication. His strongest theme tells the speaker to put him/her self in the role of the listener. In other words, there’s me and there’s you—I need to understand your ne ...more
But, you don’t have to be a scientist to benefit from this book. There’s plenty of good stuff about communication. His strongest theme tells the speaker to put him/her self in the role of the listener. In other words, there’s me and there’s you—I need to understand your ne ...more
One of my friends gave me this book as an audio book. It's a look into how we communicate, fail to communicate,and what strategies can be incorporated if we want to be understood better.
Yes, and... Empathy
Seems to be the key. That is, improvisational games, story, and empathy seem to be keys to both clarity and becoming memorable. Alda relates well how he made these discoveries and links them well to how he's seen them incorporated in the worlds of acting and comedy, but then he steps beyond and ...more
Yes, and... Empathy
Seems to be the key. That is, improvisational games, story, and empathy seem to be keys to both clarity and becoming memorable. Alda relates well how he made these discoveries and links them well to how he's seen them incorporated in the worlds of acting and comedy, but then he steps beyond and ...more
Alda make a very compelling case for why technical (science and engineering) professionals need to communicate better, and he provides some guidance on how to do so. The main principle he shares is to build empathy with the person you are talking to, and he suggests various approaches based on theatre techniques, in particular improv. He also mentions the importance of story telling and other ways to connect with the people you are talking to.
This all makes sense on first principles, but I hadn’ ...more
This all makes sense on first principles, but I hadn’ ...more
This is a fine book. I panicked a little when I realised I had reached the last chapter today. I didn't want to return it to the library.
I wanted my own copy. Then I realised that I wanted every living scientist to own or access a copy too. That convinced me to return it to the library.
This book reads very quickly and I learned a lot from it, even though I didn't expect to learn much (if anything) from it. The human mind, the brain, is a fascinating organ. Mr. Alda, in a happy collection of page ...more
I wanted my own copy. Then I realised that I wanted every living scientist to own or access a copy too. That convinced me to return it to the library.
This book reads very quickly and I learned a lot from it, even though I didn't expect to learn much (if anything) from it. The human mind, the brain, is a fascinating organ. Mr. Alda, in a happy collection of page ...more
This was an audio read for me, read by none other than the author himself! Who doesn't love that iconic Alan Alda voice? I heard an interview with Alan Alda on NPR where he talked about this book. Although I have read other books on this subject and listened to many speakers elaborate on the significance of good communication, our author takes a fresh and novel approach he learned on stage and then incorporated when needing to help scientists communicate their needs to potential funders. He shar
...more
I found this book and the concepts of empathy and Theory of the Mind to be intriguing. I was also taken with the value of training in improvisation and how it helps speakers connect with their audiences. The improv exercises Alda discussed have helped speakers who may have tended towards dry jargon-laced lectures become better communicators as they learn to connect with individual audience members.
The book also touches on the topic of story (and is actually a set of vignettes) and its importanc ...more
The book also touches on the topic of story (and is actually a set of vignettes) and its importanc ...more
Anyone who spends time communicating with others (all of us) but especially those in the professions of science, education, medicine, and law should read this book. Alda discusses how improvisation (not, comedy improv) exercises improve the ability to communicate with others. The book and his Center for Science Communication at Stonybrook grew out of his experience as the host of Scientific American. He interviewed scientists and wanted them to explain their projects to a general audience. He ta
...more
The actor, science television host, and inspiration for the Center for Communicating Science uses humorous anecdotes, personal experience, and actual research to describe how empathy is the basis for good communication and how we can train ourselves in empathy to become better communicators. He is a fantastic communicator himself - I cringed along with him as he spoke of his first Scientific American Frontiers interview with a scientist, and how he made every communication mistake possible. He t
...more
This is NOT the self-improvement book that I was expecting. A blend of memoir and how-we-did-it, this shares stories of how empathy relational training helped poor communicators become successful communicators. I can't say that I understood the more technical parts of it, but it was an interesting read, nonetheless, and I learned some new ideas/techniques that may prove helpful in becoming better at paying attention and relating.
I voluntarily read an advanced review copy provided by the publishe ...more
I voluntarily read an advanced review copy provided by the publishe ...more
This should be recommended reading for everyone! I saw Alan Alda on the Charlie Rose show and was captivated and I immdeidately ordered the book. And, it didn't disappoint.
What I didn't know about Alan Alda is that for more than twenty years, he has been seeking to understand ways to help others (and himself) communicate more effectively. Interestingly, most of his work has been with scientists and the medical profession.
What's the secret to his success? Well, read the book. But, here's a hint… ...more
What I didn't know about Alan Alda is that for more than twenty years, he has been seeking to understand ways to help others (and himself) communicate more effectively. Interestingly, most of his work has been with scientists and the medical profession.
What's the secret to his success? Well, read the book. But, here's a hint… ...more
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Full name: Alphonso Joseph D'Abruzzo
Son of actor Robert Alda
Husband of children's book author Arlene Alda
Best known from role of Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce from M*A*S*H* (TV series)
More about Alan Alda...
Son of actor Robert Alda
Husband of children's book author Arlene Alda
Best known from role of Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce from M*A*S*H* (TV series)
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