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A Good Talk: The Story And Skill Of Conversation (2010)

by Daniel Menaker(Favorite Author)

2.43 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

0446540021 (ISBN13: 9780446540025)

languge

English

genre

Nonfiction

publisher

Twelve

review 1: The history of conversation is given a somewhat thin treatment but is interesting nevertheless. Considering that the topic could and does fill multiple volumes it is hardly a fatal flaw. The rest of the book deals with a taped conversation the author has and he uses the transcript of the conversation to highlight his theory of conversation. It is a slightly effective tactic. I don't mean that to be damning with faint praise. It just doesn't blow the reader away and probably could have been done just as effectively without pages upon pages of the conversation breaking up his analysis. All this being said, the topic was interesting enough and his writing funny to make the book an enjoyable read to anyone interested in the art of conversation. However, everyone would be bette... morer off if is editor had persuaded him to cut the last chapter. It contains a semi-political social critique that while it somewhat follows from his topic is rambling (like my review, not in a good way), simple-minded, and shows how out of his element the writer is once he wades in uncharted territory. The enjoyment of reading this book was completely ruined by the bitter taste that was left by his heavy handed political rant.
review 2: DUMB! This guy does not know how to write, he blathers on and on about stuff completely unrelated to conversation, and he has no research to support his claims! Recording an hour long conversation is not research, nor does it make thrilling reading material to read a script of. Honestly! What a dumb book! I thought it would be good because I'm really interested in conversation and language, but it was VERY disappointing. less

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