From the best selling author of You Just Don't Understand comes another groundbreaking examination of the way we communicate - in public, in the media, in politics, in our courtrooms and classrooms - letting us see in a new way forces that are powerfully shaping our lives. We live in a pervasive warlike atmosphere that makes us approach anything we need to accomplish as a fight between two opposing sides - urging us to regard the world in an adversarial frame of mind. Tannen explores the roots of this argument culture, the role played by gender, and how other cultures suggest alternative ways to negotiate disagreement and mediate conflicts so that we, as a society, can find constructive and creative ways of resolving disputes and differences.
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"I would grade this book as a 4.5 if I could. Deborah Tannen is really onto something here as she laments the decline of every pyramidal hierarchy into an adversarial battleground. Could this be one of the unforeseen downsides of capitalism? "Show me the money" takes on new meaning. "
— Jeanine (4 out of 5 stars)
“In her trademark clear, well-organized style, and generously using examples from her own life, Tannen moves from arena to arena, backing her thesis with plenty of research.”
— Entertainment Weekly“Tannen’s obvious passion for helping people understand one another is well served here by her clear, direct writing.”
— Publishers Weekly“The concepts are interesting, and her analysis is well substantiated.”
— Library Journal“Tannen is a fine, crisp writer and very skillful in succinctly synthesizing her material and advancing her argument.”
— Kirkus Reviews" Ms. Tannen's writing style is engaging, her anecdotes were interesting and her conclusions seemed plausible... at first, anyway. Unfortunately, her reasoning (particularly her over-generalizations) drove me bonkers. "
— Jessica, 2/26/2013" This book presented the author's concern that our culture, especially our journalism, is saturated with the concept that it is only disagreement that makes a subject interesting. Too little content in our news and in our lives. "
— Mom/sue, 12/17/2012" After reading this book, hopefully, one will think of the importance of being a good listener and reflecting on one's words before speaking. "
— Martine, 9/3/2011" I would grade this book as a 4.5 if I could. Deborah Tannen is really onto something here as she laments the decline of every pyramidal hierarchy into an adversarial battleground. Could this be one of the unforeseen downsides of capitalism? "Show me the money" takes on new meaning. "
— Jeanine, 11/26/2010" After reading this book, hopefully, one will think of the importance of being a good listener and reflecting on one's words before speaking. "
— Martine, 4/20/2009" This book presented the author's concern that our culture, especially our journalism, is saturated with the concept that it is only disagreement that makes a subject interesting. Too little content in our news and in our lives. "
— Mom/sue, 6/11/2008Harvard Business Review is the leading destination for smart management thinking. Through its flagship magazine, eleven internationally licensed editions, books from Harvard Business Review Press, and digital content and tools published on HBR.org, Harvard Business Review provides professionals around the world with rigorous insights and best practices to lead themselves and their organizations more effectively and to make a positive impact.