Hatrack River Forum: How to win Friends and Influence People

This is topic How to win Friends and Influence People in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by HRE (Member # 6263) on :

I've heard a lot of good things about this book from friends and had it recommended to me multiple times.

Have any of you read it? Is it worth the $8?

Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :

I read it almost 20 years ago. At the time I thought it was helpful, but I can't remember anything specific. [Dont Know]

Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :

I think The Prince by Machiavelli is a bit more practical.

Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :

No it isn't, not by a long shot.

The Prince is cool, but not really usful in everyday life, wherre HTWFIP is one of the most pratical books ever written. Entire college courses have been developed using it, and it is one of the best selling books of all time (non-fiction).

Kwea

Posted by CarpeCrayola (Member # 7980) on :

I read this recently, mostly because I was moving to a job that required more people skills, and I learned a lot.

Worth $8.00? Look for it used somewhere, you dont need to pay that much.

Some of the principles should be common sense, though in our introverted/egotistical world they seem way out of place and are valuable for that reason. Others...well I got the impression that Mr. Canegie was advocating lying in order to get what you want.

That's not really a fair assesment, but there were principles that seemed more about bowing down and "appearing" (read deception) to give way while actually gaining what you want. To me, that's less than honest, and anything "gained" that way would be purchased by deceit.

I am certain that every car salesman in existence has read this thing, so it gives you some idea of who gets use from it.

I would recommend it, and take from it what you can, there is a reason that the book has been around for so long.

Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :

Kwea, I guess it depends on your ambitions.

[Wink]

Posted by Boris (Member # 6935) on :

Definately. I read it about 5 years ago. Changed my whole outlook on things. I should probably go through it again, though, since I don't really remember much from it anymore [Blushing]