The Fine Art of Small Talk: How to Start a Conversation, Keep it Going, Build Networking Skills-and Leave a Positive Impression!

by Debra Fine
The Fine Art of Small Talk: How to Start a Conversation, Keep it Going, Build Networking Skills-and Leave a Positive Impression! cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £16.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 4938
  • Added: 2025-10-22
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
bookdelivery.com · Unknown · 2025-10-22
excellent 4.50

The book offers practical advice on improving conversation skills, emphasizing the importance of active listening and genuine interest in others. It's a valuable resource for those looking to build better personal and professional relationships.

The Fine Art of Small Talk is a comprehensive guide that provides actionable tips for starting and maintaining conversations. The author stresses the significance of being genuinely interested in others and practicing active listening. This book is particularly useful for individuals aiming to enhance their networking skills and leave a positive impression. The strategies discussed are practical and can be applied in various social and professional settings, making it a worthwhile read for anyone looking to improve their communication skills.

Quick quotes

    The book emphasizes the importance of active listening and genuine interest in others.

    It provides practical advice on starting and maintaining conversations.

    The strategies discussed are practical and can be applied in various social and professional settings.

abebooks.co.uk · Unknown · 2025-10-22
helpful 4.50

The book provides practical advice on improving conversation skills, focusing on making a positive impression and building networking skills. It's a helpful guide for those looking to enhance their social interactions.

The Fine Art of Small Talk is a practical guide that offers valuable tips on how to start and maintain conversations. It emphasizes the importance of making a positive impression and building networking skills, which can be beneficial in both personal and professional settings. The book is particularly useful for those who find social interactions challenging or those looking to refine their communication skills. The advice is straightforward and easy to implement, making it a great resource for anyone looking to improve their conversational abilities.

Quick quotes

    It's a great book for anyone who wants to improve their conversation skills.

    The advice is practical and easy to follow.

    It's a must-read for those looking to build better networking skills.

goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-10-22
entertaining 4.00

The Fine Art of Small Talk is a highly entertaining account of Bill Bryson's attempt to walk the Appalachian Trail with his ill-prepared friend Katz. The book is filled with humor and insights into the challenges of such a journey, though it lacks deep emotional connections with nature. The reviewer admires the determination of the hikers and finds the humor in their inadequacies.

Bill Bryson's 'A Walk in the Woods' is a delightful and humorous account of his attempt to walk the entire Appalachian Trail with his friend Katz. The book is filled with comic writing and entertaining conversations, making it a very enjoyable read. However, the reviewer notes that the book lacks a deep emotional connection with the natural surroundings, focusing more on the physical challenges and the humor derived from the hikers' inadequacies. The reviewer admires the determination and resilience of the hikers, despite their lack of preparation. The book also touches on various facts and government decisions related to the trail, adding an educational element to the narrative. Overall, the reviewer finds the book to be a great read, highlighting the humor and the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Quick quotes

    They admired both of them for embarking on such a challenge in the first place.

    The book lacks a deep emotional connection with the natural surroundings, focusing more on the physical challenges.

    The humor in setting out for an enterprise like this with inadequate supplies and preparation does tend to make the readers feel not so bad themselves about “falling short”.

barnesandnoble.com · Unknown · 2025-10-22
mixed 4.00

The reviewer enjoyed Bill Bryson's humorous and engaging narrative in 'A Walk in the Woods,' appreciating the adventure and self-deprecating humor, but found the book's humor sometimes mean-spirited and the decision to skip parts of the trail disappointing.

The reviewer found 'A Walk in the Woods' to be an entertaining and humorous account of Bill Bryson's attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail. They appreciated the conversational tone, sarcasm, and the relatable nature of Bryson's journey, which made the adventure engaging even for non-hiking enthusiasts. The reviewer also enjoyed the dynamic between Bryson and his companion, Katz, finding their antics both amusing and bizarre. However, they were disappointed by the decision to skip parts of the trail, which they felt diminished the overall experience. Additionally, the reviewer found some of Bryson's humor to be mean-spirited, particularly when it targeted specific groups of people. Despite these criticisms, the reviewer acknowledged the book's educational aspects and its call to awareness about the depletion of natural habitats.

Quick quotes

    Bryson, a general eccentric odd-ball of the authorish type begins the book slightly overweight and out-of-shape.

    What makes the narrative even more relatable is its easy, conversational cadence and Bryson’s sarcasm.

    I was fully dedicated to comfortably sipping my Sherry, reading under a pile of blankets about all day hikes, getting lost in the woods, other campers, and murder legends.

Appears in Lists