How to Win Friends & Influence People

'HOW to win friends & influence people' by Dale Carnegie is an exercise in effective public relations. Carnegie used to conduct educational courses for business and professional people. The book being reviewed is a result of his own search for a "practical, working handbook on human relations."

The book relies on real world stories, which the reader can instantly relate to. Some of the ideas and suggestions may seem natural, but the way Carnegie puts them encourages you to give it a second shot. Mind you the book was published (in 1937) when not even my father was born. The author must have influnced many other authors during all these years.

Carnegie has neatly divided his book into four broad sections viz., fundamental techniques in handling people, six ways to make people like you, how to win people to your way of thinking and how to change people without giving offense or arousing resentment. The author borrows from several others well reputed books on the same subject, and put it to good use.

To me the book is also a collection of some memorable quotes. I found these worth mentioning-

* Every act you ever performed since the day you were born was performed because you wanted something.
* Your smile is a messenger of your good will.
* The life of many a person could probably changed if only someone would make him feel important.
* Nine times out of ten, an argument ends with each of the contestants more firmly convinced than ever that he is absolutely right.

Dale Carnegie book is pure library material. It's a good read for all those who find difficulty in dealing with people. Follow the rules and you, too, would be a winner.