Customer Reviews (8)

Better Writing
This book is a step-by-step instruction to different kinds of technical writing. It is easy to understand and follow. The topics are well organized and clearly outlined, which makes it easy to read.
It's a nice reference book if you have to look up different writing styles.

teacher ed. unexpected
i was supprised that it was the teachers edition but it will still be usefull thanks

This book is better than what some reviewers write!

This book is written well and is a useful tool to use when writing everything from a resume and cover letter to a complete proposal.It also give instructions on how to make a web page and scripting in html.Although I am sure that this material is very similiar to that of the previous editions, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who would like to write better.

I wish that I had not read the previous bad reviews and ordered this book in hardcover instead of a used softcover.

Written by an expert in the marketing of textbooks!
John Lannon was a successful author of a college writing and composition textbook. He then created various spinoffs so that his publisher could cover more markets: business writing, technical writing, and so on (for both college and high school).

So he's really not a current specialist in technical writing, and he's not employed as a technical writer. He's just an English instructor who has been using essentially the same basic materials in all his books for decades.

This text is a perfect example. It has very little to do with today's field of technical communications. There are many other textbooks that have more specific and up-to-date examples and guidelines for contemporary technical writers. Any book by Hackos, for example, runs circles around this one.

In any case, he and his publisher don't need your single-copy sale. They sell thousands of these books for coursewide use at many schools across the country for use in very elementary courses. They don't care about individual users.

So save your money and buy something else!

What's new in this 9th Edtion?
The answer is nothing.This 9th edition is practically the same as 8th.This author must be the greediest man in the academic circle.Over half of the colleges in US use this book for technical writing, and he's still charging people almost $84 for it.Hasn't he made enough money with the 1st edition already? ... Read more

Book Description
This Eighth Edition of Business and Administrative Communication by Donna Kienzler and Kitty Locker is a true leader in the business communications field. Beyond covering the broad scope of topics in both oral and written business communication, Locker’s text uses a student-friendly writing style and strong design element to hold student attention. Real-world examples and real business applications underscore the relevance and importance of the material presented in the classroom and to the students’ careers.

Kitty Locker’s text also conveys the best possible advice to students through its research base; the author’s reputation as a contributor to this field of study lends an even greater element of teachability and relevance to this market-leading title. Locker continues to lead the pack with innovative technology offerings – InSites, Grademax, Manager's Hotseat for Business Communication – round out the learning experience with Business and Administrative Communication. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Business and Admin
This is a college textbook which is required for the course I'm taking.Book shpped out the day after i bought it and arrived a few days later. Couldn't be happier.

Excellent book for someone seeking new jobs
Thanks to this book I got more than 99% on my Professional Writing class. This book isn't just for college students; it is good for anyone who is in the market for new job. It talked about business communication (it's on the title) but that includes oral, written, how to do research paper, how to write proposals, what to expect and dress during an interview, how to write a follow up letter (thank you note), types of cover letters and how to tap into the hidden job market, types of resumes and online job search, e-mailing, types of letters (like fundraising) etc. (the list goes on and on). This is an excellent book for anyone learning about the current job market or what to expect. Ms. Locker is an excellent career coach and the book proves it. I applied to few job postings online (as a test on this book), and got replies from all of them and was called for interviews. I don't know about others but I'm very impressed with this book.

Communication for Dummies
This book breaks down every area of communication. It let's you know step by step what is needed. This is a book you will keep referring to for years to come.

Boring!
I needed to have this book for class and it is so boring. I can only read a page before I just have to stop because it's just that dull.

Good Communication good business
A good primer for a student or review for the experienced manager who wants to hone communications skills.It includes information and exercises on just about every mode and type of communication.I will not give it 4 stars as the web site does not have much worth looking at and the CD is pretty useless as well. ... Read more

Book Description
Offering the perfect balance of theory and practical skills, this market-leading text prepares readers to communicate successfully in today's world. features superior coverage of cultural diversity, expanded coverage of ethics, new discussions of the effects of technology, and a new, integrated "text and technology learning system." For anyone interested in improving their interpersonal communication skills. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Interpersonal Communication
This book is intersting and covers communication points very well. I also like the web site because it gives summarys for the chapters as well as test and powerpoints.

Interpersonal Communication Book
This book is very easy to read and understand!I wish there were short answer questions to test our vocabulary word retention.

Excellent resource for the study of communications
I recently purchased this book for a class and was very impressed after only reading chapter 1. It is a very complete book and has a lot of extra information if you want to further study a topic. It has examples that are modern and from everyday life and helps students (like me) to better understand the importance of communication. I also liked the format and the inside is very colorful which does not make reading dull. I highly recommend this product.

The Most Important Thing to Learn in College
Many college students go to school filled with the idea that they will learn the subjects they chose to study.No one tells them that the most important thing in their life is going to be the ability to communicate. Even Einstein with all of his brilliance worked at a low level in the Swiss patent office until he published his famous papers.

Study after study shows that after college communications: be it written, oral and interpersonal communications is the most important thing in the minds of recruiters, teachers, and of course the other gender. While we all know how to talk, write and think we can communicate, there are basic rules about communicating that will improve our abilities.

This book is now in its eleventh edition. It continues to be better polished based on feedback from users.It reflects the latest research to report on the best theories we have on communications. Finally, this book discusses the American culture. Culture provides the common basis we have in order to be able to communicate at all.

Great Communication Theory Book... to start off with
This book is not really orientated at making you a better interpersonal and intercultural communicator (although it could be a start towards this), it is more of a book on interpersonal and intercultural theory. This book was the basis of my Interpersonal and Intercultural Communication Studies course at UQ in Australia. It is very simple to read, a high school student could easily understand this. I think this is a good thing, however, because as some of my lecutures demonstrated, interpersonal communication theory can be very dry and dull at some points! So I am giving this book five stars because althoug simplistic, I believe it tells you the basics of interpersonal comunication theory, and is a great starting book if you are interested in this! ... Read more

Book Description
COMMUNICATION MOSAICS: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE FIELD OF COMMUNICATION combines the author's signature first-person narrative style and popular student commentaries with thoroughly up-to-date research, theories, and technological information to provide both an overview of the field and a practical guide you can immediately use to improve your personal, professional, and public communication skills. By beginning with introductions to the basic processes and skills central to all communication contexts and then moving on to how we apply these aspects of communication in specific contexts such as interpersonal and public speaking, the text shows you the importance of developing your communication skills and gives you the hands-on tools you need to become a more effective communicator. Jump into the dynamic world of communication in the 21st century with COMMUNICATION MOSAICS! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

College Communications Textbook
This was a required book that my daughter needed for Rider University.We saved money buying from Amazon, and the book was in perfect condition.Why overpay buy buying at the college bookstore? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Review Only
Product is good as a review but not for a primary text. Too vague if you are unfamiliar with the topics.

MBA Required Item - Outrageous Price!
This book is another example of the ridiculous pricing for school text books. If you are required to purchase this book for MBA School, don't be surprised when you receive it. I guarantee the initial response will be "what - 40+ dollars for this?" The content may be exceptional but the book itself inspires one to ask the question why am I spending this much money for a small paper bound book?

outrageous price
This is perhaps the most expensive book besides collectables. Judging from the size and amount of information, it probably worths $5 - but I had to buy it simply because the professor uses it as textbook.
Granted that this is a book for business management professionals or to-be's, but this does not mean the book should be this expensive. You'll know what I mean when you see the book. I think they they are taking advantage of that fact that most people buy this book get reimbursed - my self for one will get reimbursement from my company, but I resent the fact that I have to buy such an expensive book and waste my company's money only because I have to. This is robbery - it's not printing book, it's more like printing money.

Excellent book
This is a short and concise book . I used it in one of my graduate courses, and found it very helpful.

Essential Reading
I used a previous edition of Ms. Munter's book as a text in a graduate course in management communications. The latest edition adds some new subjects and is still one of the best books on the subject. If you could only have one book on this subject this would be a good choice. Even though this book covers a broad base of communication skills (strategy, written, verbal and non-verbal, typography, graphical and prepresentation skills), each subject is covered in considerable depth. This book should be on the office shelf of every manager who needs to communicate effectively.
... Read more

Book Description
Power-packed, easy to use guide presents great ideas and reinforces good practices in interpersonal relations. Results: greater potential for advancement at work, greater opportunity to get what you want with reduced chances of misunderstandings and enhanced feelings of safety and friendship with less likelihood of hostility. Effective communication skills are the mark of an achiever... always have been, always will be. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Basic Book on Communication Skills
This is a good basic book on improving communication skills. In communicating, we seek to get our message across to others. The communication process involves the sender of the message, the use of the appropriate communication channel, the receiver and feedback. This process leaves room for error, with messages often misinterpreted by one or more of the parties involved. This causes unnecessary confusion and counter productivity. The author comes up with tips and ways to ensure effective communication. A message is successful when both the sender and the receiver perceive it in the same way.

What the author writes sounds obvious but we tend to forget, communicate badly, and often make a bad situation worse by the way we communicate. Those wishing to learn the basics of communication or just want to refresh their expertise in this field will find the book useful and helpful.

The book will help the reader to understand effective communication, and explains how to communicate your message in the best possible way. After reading the book, you should have a better understanding of how to communicate effectively, to people and groups, through spoken, written and non verbal communications.

For the Discerning Communicator
Noah Webster tells us "Communicate" means to impart; to give to another, to bestow, something the receiver holds, retains, and enjoys. And what person couldn't benefit from learning how to communicate with clarity?

If you have ever spoken to anyone in your life, used a telephone, write or send e-mails, you'll welcome the action steps you can learn instantly in: 101 Ways to Improve Your Communication Skills Instantly by: Jo Condrill and Bennie Bough, Ph.D.

While there are many well written books on "communication" skills throughout your local Barnes & Nobel, few are able to please the discerning communicator. But, Jo Condrill and Bennie Bough has done just that.

This handbook is a breeze to implement. It will save us all from Foot-In-Mouth Dis-Ease. The authors ask: "Have you ever agonized over what you would've; should've and could've said?"I really appreciate when a book shows me what to do, instead of just tell.

The book has sold over 70,000 copies, translated into eleven languages by publishers in foreign countries, and is sold worldwide.


As a communicator you know the value in thinking and speaking clearly.

Communication at it's' best is a two-way transaction. I speak a thought, you listen. You speak, I listen.

But, sometimes people misinterpret what they hear, either because we were not crystal clear, or for other reasons. Listening requires practice, and this communication handbook also explains how to listen in order to improve communication.

I hope you enjoy this book as much as I have.
Maribel Hernandez- APMFormulators.com
Mastermind Group for Alternative HealthCare Professionals of Amarillo, TX
... Read more

Book Description

This up-to-date, reader-friendly presentation of the mass media uses the media to teach the media and explore its excitement, complexity, and impact on our lives. Widely praised for his ability to make learning interesting, Vivian’s story-telling style excites readers as they explore the ever-changing subject of mass communication and become media-literate consumers of the mass media. This edition retains the emphasis on the challenges of today's media while building on its extensive coverage of media history, effects, technology, and culture. The three part-organization—the media, media messages, and media issues—provides a framework for students to understand the big picture behind today’s media issues.

Customer Reviews (1)

Nice Book
The book is beautiful and I love how the content is presented.Now, if only I could check my procrastination and do my work, I might enjoy the associated class as much...

The online book material is only accessible for a year after online registration, but the online chapers can be downloaded as PDF files...if you're buying the book from someone, make sure you get chapters 22 and 23 from them!! ... Read more

Book Description

This timely revision of an all-time best-seller in the field features the clarity and scope of a Stallings classic. This comprehensive volume provides the most up-to-date coverage of the essential topics in data communications, networking, Internet technology and protocols, and standards – all in a convenient modular format.Features updated coverage of multimedia, Gigabit and 10 Gbps Ethernet, WiFi/IEEE 802.11 wireless LANs, security, and much more.Ideal for professional reference or self-study. For Product Development personnel, Programmers, Systems Engineers, Network Designers and others involved in the design of data communications and networking products.

Customer Reviews (23)

Pedagogically Worthless
It is truly sad that this book is considered one of the best available on the topic of networking and data communications.From a pedagogical standpoint the book fails in several ways.

First, as many others have already complained, many of the exercises at the end of each chapter are simply impossible to complete given the information in the relevant chapter.Many of the problems require methods or concepts that are simply never explained.This is shocking and inexcusable!

Second, even if the problems at the end of each chapter did correspond to the text in the chapter, there still would not be enough examples in each chapter for many people to complete them.There is typically one example per section, but it usually simplistic and/or trivial.

Third, the writing is awful.The author does not know how to present information in a logical and detailed fashion.The author skips details, slurs concepts and pulls explanations out of nowhere.

The one redeeming quality of the book is that it contains a lot of information you won't find in many other textbooks.Thus, it may have some worth as a reference for people who can fill in the details for themselves.But as a vehical for learning it fails in almost every important regard.

well presented explanations
[A review of the 8th EDITION, that was published in late 2006.]

Stallings takes the student reader through an extensive introduction to current computer networking. Focusing naturally on TCP/IP, as the Internet is the largest computer network in the world. He shows how TCP/IP can be related to the theoretical 7 layer OSI model. The 5 layers of TCP/IP have proved to be well adequate to this date.

En route, he provides very simple analogies to the protocol stack, as this sometimes gives students grief. One analogy is for the physical layer to be mapped to a telephone line. Then on one side, there is a stack for ordering pizza - consisting of a guest at a hotel, a host and a telephone. The other stack has the pizza cook, the order clerk and a telephone. Here, we see a 3 [or 4] layer stack, that is readily understandable. (It's easier to see the structure in the book's diagram.] Well, if you can follow this, then TCP/IP is not so different.

The book also explains various multiplexing methods, like frequency division or time division, without drowning the student in maths. The treatment is qualitative, and does not replace a full course in communications theory.

The discussion on routing, however, while also qualitative, is closer to actual implementations. The routing strategies can be quite adequately understood at the level given in the text.

There is one chapter devoted to wireless networks [ie. for cellphones]. Given the still strong rise in cellphone usage in developing countries, this chapter might well be expanded in future editions of the book.

WiFi is covered, but not WiMax. Well, it is still early days for deployment of the latter, whereas WiFi's popularity is established.

Interesting stuff.
most interesting part of this book was adsl, cable, vdsl because our family are using FastAccess DSL(adsl with 1.5 megabyte patch)from Bellsouth(which is merged with At&T).

A Good Resource
This book does not cover as many topics as I would have liked, but it is very current and appears to be accurate.Stallings can be a bit dry.

A+ in the NW and Data Comm hard to find books.
The subject of Networking and Data communication is hard to teach and the good books are also hard to find.
For anyone interested in the details of Networking and its mathematical and logical scales, there is no other book that represents this wide subject in an easy to read, understand and comprehend the subject.Although this is only my second required textbook in the Networking and Data communication, one undergrad and now grad school, it is my ...probably 10th book to read/use as a reference in my daily tasks.
All or partial of the text might be presented as grad level course or subject, but it is presented in a simple way. Go ahead, read it...you buy it or borrow it at the local library you won't be disappointed.
TL
... Read more

Book Description
Now in a new edition, Interplay: The Process of Interpersonal Communication provides a comprehensive and engaging introduction to communication in interpersonal relationships. Based on an extensive body of scholarship, Interplay cites more than 1,200 sources--almost 25% of which are new to this edition--and provides a variety of thought-provoking photos, sidebars, and cartoons that illustrate key points in the text and connect them to everyday life and popular culture. Updated and revised throughout, the tenth edition is now more accessible and useful to students, with revisions based on detailed recommendations by leading scholars in the field.UPDATED FEATURES OF THE TENTH EDITION * Revised and expanded material examines the relationship between gender and language use, the pervasiveness and inevitability of casual "mindless" listening, conflict styles, co-cultures within American society, and relational maintenance. * Focus on Research sidebars--50% of which are new to this edition--summarize current research on interesting and important topics. New profiles provide information on such topics as cell phone etiquette, self-presentation strategies of first-generation college students, unwritten rules for expressing emotions on the job, methods used by college students to discourage drinking and driving, and the functions of telling secrets in close relationships.* Film Clips--50% of which are new to this edition--profile recent feature films that illustrate communication concepts. These clips include Crash (stereotyping), Garden State (emotional expression), 50 First Dates (relational stages), Bend It Like Beckham (relational dialectics), and Before Sunset (self-disclosure). * An inviting new design features provocative photos and clever cartoons that reinforce concepts from the text and encourage students to explore the book's content. * The Interplay website at www.oup.com/us/interplay offers a wealth of resources for both students and their professors--online self-testing and other study aids, links to a variety of communication-related websites, and "Now Playing" reviews of recent films. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Great , Great Book!!
This is a great book for counseling, I would be even better to have a copy of the earlier editions to compare the changes.

The Process of Interpersonal Communication
Upon receipt of the book, it was in excellent condition.I will most definetly be using this service again.

Thank you and keep up the good work.

Great Content
Yes, this is a textbook, but well written, and full of great info, easy to read. A little cheezy in spots, but the world would be a better place if people understood and applied the concepts in this book.

Poor service
I order a book (interplay)from this person about 5 months ago, and I still do not have my book. This person still not even giving me back my money !!!!!!!!!

Good book.
I used this book for a college course in Interpersonal Communications.I found it very useful and got an A in the class. ... Read more

Book Description
COMMUNICATION IN OUR LIVES, Fifth Edition, provides everything you need to strengthen your interpersonal, group, public speaking, and media literacy skills--and demonstrates the value of communication in your life. Award-winning, forward-thinking scholar Julia T. Wood focuses on helping you develop vital communication skills while exploring the latest research and theory of today's most prominent communication scholars, including current developments in cultural and social diversity and the impact of technology on communication. This popular text features an engaging, personal tone, highly readable style, and frequent Student Voice sections that explore how other students have experienced key communication concepts. It is also packed with interactive, online study tools that can help you explore human communication and become a more confident and effective communicator. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Good 1st Yr. Speech Book
I had to have this book for my first year college speech class.It was interesting to read, but I wish that I didn't have to actually read so much of the book to get the meanings.Part of that is not knowing HOW to read a college text book.

Being a Media & Public Communications major, and I can see how this book is really useful for incoming freshman.Most have only given speeches in high school and need to develop the skills for giving good speeches and presentations in college and beyond.

This book really lays out the process for speeches and your behavior.What kind of non-verbal cues are you sending?There is also a pseudo-outline (you actually have to pick out the details from the reading) for laying out a speech.

wrong item sent
I received a book that I didn't even order.The one I ordered is yellow and white ( 3th edition).THis isn't the one I ordered; therefore, I need a refund.I sent the book back and I know the seller received it on 8/19.

Very interesting!
This book makes comminication fun and interesting.I am using this book for a speech class, but I find that it is an interesting read outside of school.The writing is very clear and examples pertain to every day life. ... Read more

Book Description
A unique approach to a hands-on course, written by the same author of Business and Administrative Communication, this completely new approach is devised and created with the assistance of a community college colleague. The innovative module structure allows instructors to focus on specific skills and provides greater flexibility for short courses and different teaching approaches. While grounded in solid business communication fundamentals, this paperback takes a strong workplace activity orientation which helps students connect what they learn to what they do or will do on the job. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

I Like It
I found this book to be very effective.It's modular format made it easy to adapt to my classes, one on the Internet . . . no more taking page numbers from here and there.The examples were useful, with more on the Website.The students said it was good, too.I've used the old and the new versions.The new version has updated information and some new examples and assignments.I'm glad the "Polishing your Prose" assignments were kept.I assign these to students for self-study and see improvements in their grammar.

Great Book
Few business writing texts balance salient instruction with an easy-to-read writing style.Business Communication:Building Critical Skills does just that.None of the textbooks I've used scored as highly with the students for effectiveness and easy use as this book.As anyone who teaches writing knows, students frequently complain about the textbook regardless of how good it is.Usually those students are the ones that do poorly in the class.But this book satisfied just about everybody including me.The authors manage to cut all the unnecessary information books of this kind usually are crammed with and get to the point.The exercises are great and have real world application, and the many grammar refreshers helped improve my students' writing.It's especially good for non-native speakers of English.This book seems well designed for teachers and students, and I would recommend it to both groups.The book is also cheaper than many competing books, which makes it even more attractive for students on a tight budget, which is most students today.

Mistakes over Mistakes
Despite the fact that the book focuses on Business Communications, it still will not help students to achieve better communication skills (at least not with this issue).The book is full of logical and typological mistakes. Sorry but this will not work for a book that is trying to improve communication.

Well Done
One of the better business communication texts available.Students find it easier to read than the competitors'.I like the many supplements that come with it.I also like the module approach.I've taught many business communication classes and students almost always complain about the book.Not this one.I wouldn't recommend it if it didn't work.The cost is reasonable and the examples are good.One minor complaint:The web page for the book calls modules "chapters."Not a big deal compared to the many, many things that work in this book.

A Great Book!
I liked this book.It's easy to read and has lots of good examples.The best part is I can actually use what I learned. ... Read more

Book Description
COMMUNICATION BETWEEN CULTURES continues with the features that have made it the best-selling text for the intercultural communication course. The new edition of this leading gives students an understanding and appreciation of different cultures and helps them develop practical skills for improving their communication with people from other cultures. It's renowned for being the only text on the market to consistently emphasize religion and history as key variables in intercultural communication. Packed with the latest research and filled with numerous, compelling examples that force students to examine their own assumptions and cultural biases, this book helps students understand the subtle and profound ways culture affects communication. The book is divided into four interrelated parts: Part I introduces the study of communication and culture; Part II focuses on the ability of culture to shape and modify our view of reality; Part III puts the theory of intercultural communication into practice; and Part IV converts knowledge into action. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An excellent book on cultures, values and how we communicate
This is an excellent book that begins with what culture is and how deeply ingrained cultural values are in us all. You will learn the different factors involved in the inculturation process and how the way we perceive and communicate in the world is shaped by the values we hold important. The book has plenty of examples of values many cultures consider important and how this effects their communication. I really enjoyed reading this book. If you communicate, you should read this book! ... Read more

Book Description
This text addresses the core issues and concerns of intercultural communication by integrating three different perspectives:the social psychological, the interpretive, and the critical. The dialectical framework, integrated throughout the book, is used as a lens to examine the relationship of these research traditions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

intercultural communication in contexts
This book makes very interesting reading not only as a text book, but as general reading material.It makes the reader think about how communication is affected by culture and opens the mind to deeper thoughts about who we are. ... Read more

Book Description

This text provides a concise and in-depth look at the elements that comprise all basic forms of human communication.With an emphasis on Public Speaking, Interpersonal Communication, and Small Group Communication, the text also explores key issues and topics in interviewing, organizational communication, and the mass media. Cultural and gender issues are covered in depth. The text also focuses on learning through technology, and the nature and effects of new technologies on human communication. Public speaking is covered in depth (5 full units are devoted to public speaking) to provide readers with the skills for informative and persuasive speaking. Four additional units Emotional Communication, The Special Occasion Speech, Criticism in the Classroom, and Mass Media enable instructors to cover topics that are not always offered in other texts.For anyone interested in improving and understanding key issues of human communication.

Customer Reviews (1)

comunication in our world
althought this book gives off important info, it leaves us w/ a desire to want and know more. our minds are expanded and challenged we discover a new way of thinking and comunicating with others. ... Read more

Book Description
Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln. Introductory resource prepares students andprofessionals to serve individuals with augmentative or alternativecommunication (AAC) needs. Includes expanded coverage on adults withdegenerative language disorders, recent AAC devices, and adults withacquired disabilities. Previous edition: c1998. DNLM: CommunicationDisorders--rehabilitation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

AAC book
The book was new and in perfect condition and was much cheaper than at a regular bookstore. ... Read more

Book Description
This text encourages students to take more active roles as media consumers and gives them a deeper understanding of the role that the media play in both shaping and reflecting culture. Through this cultural perspective, students learn that audience members are as much a part of the mass communication process as are the media producers, technologies, and industries. This was the first university-level text to make media literacy central to its approach.

Building on this tested emphasis, the fifth edition features a newly merged chapter on Cable and Television, a new chapter on The Evolving Mass Communication Process, updates on recent technologies and government rulings, including the Patriot Act, the Supreme Court ruling on Peer-2-Peer file-sharing on Grokster, "net neutrality," municipal WiFi, new advertising industry metrics such as ROI, BitTorrent, video news releases, and much more!

Book Description
Since it was first introduced, John Vivian's The Media of Mass Communication has received praise continuously for its ability to make learning interesting and for its use of the media to teach the media. This Updated Media Edition does all that - and more. KEY TOPCIS: Retaining the features that make this book so popular - from the lively, friendly writing style to the magazine-style layout and design to the outstanding discussion of the industries, issues, trends, and history of the mass media - the Updated Media Edition boasts significant updates, a new, black and white format, and an extensive PIN-coded website all at a lower price than the full-color fifth edition version and most other books available in the market today. The printed book is the core content, while the website provides the energy and excitement of the media itself.Vivian provides up-to-date coverage of media industries and issues, along with a thoughtful recounting of key events in media history to give readers the insight they need to understand the complexity and impact of the media today. This Updated Media Edition retains the emphasis on the current challenges facing media while building on its extensive coverage of media effects and culture. For anyone interested in mass communication or mass media. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Low price, fast shipping, great service!
I bought this book over the weekend and got it on a Wednesday. I love how the expedited shipping is so cheap. The book was very inexpensive as well. It was a used book and I like how they described the exact condition of the book before I bought it so I knew what I was getting. There is also a feature that allowed me to look inside the book virtually.

poorly written
I had to use this book for a communications class. It is poorly written, there are probably twice as many typos as any other textbook. The definitions on the sides of the pages are never consistent: some may actually describe the word and some may pull a phrase out of context from a sentence that has the word in it--or some simply give you a link to a website. I wish my professor had used another book.

Brand Spankin New
The book was in perfect condition, delivery was very fast, I got it just in time for my classes.

satisfied
I am satisfied. The book arrived very quickly. I knew the book wasn't new because the seller said that, but I wasn't expecting the corners of some pages to be stuck together. I would still buy from this seller again rather than buying from the on-campus bookstore... much cheaper.

If You Have To Take A Class...
I'm using this book in an online class on mass communication and I have to admit that I actually enjoy reading this book.

It covers every area of the media and its a very simple and informative read.'Simple' used in this context means that I don't have to re-read a paragraph two or three times, just to make sense of what the author is trying to convey.

The chapters are pretty short, and the book has lots of nice, bright pictures (that's my inner child speaking).Each chapter begins with stories about a media personality and that's always interesting.I end up saying "I didn't know that," a lot to myself.

What I really like about the book is that its very up to the moment.It even mentions Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction.

So, if you have to take a class, especially an online class, it's nice to have a textbook that's so user friendly. ... Read more

Book Description
Interpersonal Communication: Relating to Others emphasizes the importance of focusing on others in order to understand and improve interpersonal communication.Self concept, perception, listening and responding skills, verbal and nonverbal communication skills, conflict management, interpersonal relationships, and managing relationship challenges.Interpersonal communication. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Good book
I'll keep this short and simple. I own the book, and thus far is very helpful to explain the many facets of person to person communication. Lots of vocab words and ideas.

Great interactive CD
The interactive CD includes websites, video clips, audio clips, and tests, that increase interest in the subject matter.It's fun.

Interpersonally...
...I read this book for an undergraduate class and thought it was very good.One problem-- the final chapter was too brief, they should have split it into three like the previous edition. ... Read more

Book Description
A wall of silent resentment shuts you off from someone you love....You listen to an argument in which neither party seems to hear the other....Your mind drifts to other matters when people talk to you....

People Skills is a communication-skills handbook that can help you eliminate these and other communication problems. Author Robert Bolton describes the twelve most common communication barriers, showing how these "roadblocks" damage relationships by increasing defensiveness, aggressiveness, or dependency. He explains how to acquire the ability to listen, assert yourself, resolve conflicts, and work out problems with others. These are skills that will help you communicate calmly, even in stressful emotionally charged situations.

People Skills will show you

* How to get your needs met using simple assertion techniques

* How body language often speaks louder than words

* How to use silence as a valuable communication tool

* How to de-escalate family disputes, lovers' quarrels, and other heated arguments

Both thought-provoking and practical, People Skills is filled with workable ideas that you can use to improve your communication in meaningful ways, every day.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (41)

Great people skills book
Although "People Skills" was first published in 1986, I feel obliged to review it as the principles and lessons espoused by Robert Bolton are timeless.In fact it is probably one of the most used books in my collection (I even have the paperback version covered in plastic and it's never far from my desk).

"People Skills" is not a book that one sits down and reads from cover to cover.It's a book where you might read a chapter that relates to one of your underused skills (such as assertion) for your own development, or when you are faced with a difficult situation (such as managing a critical conflict)."People Skills" covers all the essential communication skills such as reflective listening, assertion and conflict management.Not only does Bolton provide the theory behind these skills, but he also gives short scenarios and great practical examples of how each can be applied.

Described by the publisher as a "communication skills handbook", "People Skills" should be essential reading for every manager.In fact it should be the standard text for all "Management 101" courses and would add tremendously to the skill set of our younger generation by being used as a standard high school text.Don't be put off by this textbook description as it is highly readable and a must for all practising managers.Make sure you have a copy to refer to when next you are faced with that difficult "people" issue.

Bob Selden What To Do When You Become The Boss: How new managers become successful managers

A Personal Critique of Robert Bolton's "People Skills"
The book People Skills by Dr. Robert Bolton was a tremendous asset to my reading list a few years ago. At first, the book felt like a tedious assignment, work that had to be done in order to pass a class. What I found out about myself when reading the book, however, was just how people-oriented I am not in my listening and communicating abilities. Dr. Bolton's book has had a vast impact on my personal. This critique will show just how much of an affect the book has had on me.

Many examples could be given for how this book has influenced me personally. There were times when I was reading and saw examples that the author used which could have been taken directly from my life. Chapter two, "Barriers in Communication," was a part of the book that really hit home with me. I found myself looking over the words and seeing how I put up those very same walls around my own communication with others. It seems that everyone has issues in communication at times, but I realized that somehow I have trouble with "judging, sending solutions, and avoiding the other's concerns" (p. 17) quite often. The solutions to these problems the author gives are greatly appreciated on my end. Dr. Bolton gave practical instructions for help in the area. One way to learn how to deal with this issue was just to read a book on the topic of barriers itself. Having done that, the reader then beings to explore what changes he or she can make in order to adequately communicate with others.

Another area in which the author wrote that I found helpful was the issue of active listening. Due to my undergraduate work in counseling and psychology, I have a good working knowledge of the subject matter. People Skills affirmed some of the techniques I am already familiar with, as well as gave me some new pointers for knowing how to listen actively. It was through these areas that the book greatly assisted me in being able to see just how well I communicate in my personal life.

Dr. Bolton's book People Skills is a great work on the topic of interpersonal skills. As much as humans interrelate with each other, it would seem like people are pretty good at being able to convey feelings. On the contrary, it is not so, and thus the need for a book of this caliber. This book is highly recommended because of the way the author deals with the issues and does not shy away from telling people the best way to relearn how to communicate with others.

People Skills should serve as a text for every class on the subject of interpersonal relationship skills. Anyone who wishes to learn more about the communication process would greatly benefit from having this book as a requirement. The book is an advantageous feat; one will profit much knowledge from reading the text. One of book's many strengths is that it is very readable and relatable. In my own life, I learned a lot about myself just by studying what the author says. If there are any weaknesses to the book, it is that there are points when the author writes with such detail that he looses the reader in the many examples he gives. Other than that, this book is fantastic and has greatly assisted me in my personal and ministerial life.

Excellent book that will have you "listening" in no time
While I purchased this book as a required reading material for my Master's program, I find that I have now recommended it to about five other people (outside of school) in the last two weeks."People Skills" is an excellent resource for re-learning how to communicate effectively and how to invoke communication in those around you.After reading the first two chapters, I found myself unable to respond to other's comments for fear that I would fall into the "traps" of communication. But, as I proceeded through the remaining pages, I quickly learned valuable tips that have provoked continual review of my own communication tactics.Oddly enough, I'm now continually engulfed in conversations with my 14 year old son who sometimes I can't "turn him off" so that I can continue to study....I wouldn't trade these conversations for all of the "A" grades in the world!!!

Great book....
This is a great book with useful techniques that you can learn to become a better communicator.I read this a couple of years ago, and started implementing the tips, and I swear people responded to me better.

However, I only gave this book 4 stars because, due to the many subjects it covers, it doesn't cover all the subjects as thoroughly. But it is a very useful book on communication, and a great book to jumpstart your way to becoming a better communicator.

Other books I recommend: Everyday Negotiations (great book!), The Assertiveness Workbook, Fight Your Fear and Win, etc.

Great for Personal & Professional Communication Skills
This communication skills handbook is a good one to add to your library.Sometimes people need to be refreshed on old skills, especially if one does not attend any type of annual conferences or seminars to rejuvenate and motivate one's performance.Noted content topics include:(1)Skills for Bridging the Interpersonal Gap (2)Barriers to Communication (3)Listening Skills (4)Reflective Listening (5)Reflective Responses (6)Reading Body Language (7)Assertive Skills (8)Conflict Management Skills and (9)Collaborative Problem Solving.

People skills are necessary for all areas of life (familial, workplace, social, and religious).This is a great book for Managers to invest in and provide copies to Administrative Professionals, etc. in the organization.Teachers this is a great book to have on your shelf of books to share with the eager and hungry readers.Also a great gift for teens or college bound students. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Purchased book as a gift
Because I purchased this book as a gift, I cannot attest to its value, except to say that I've heard that this author and his book are very good.

Bring your communication back to square one
Although the book is now over 30 years old and some of the examples seem a bit foreign, "A Couple's Guide to Communication" helps partners take the emotional charge out of arguments and get to the heart of the issue. I am extremely impressed by techniques that help to check the intent of your message against the impact it makes on your partner, leveling and editing conversations, verification of each others feelings... and more! We now recognize that a single word used in an argument can change the entire message, how to remove the emotional charge when conversing, how to make our point without offending each other and how to succeed in validating and respecting your partners persons position without necessarily having to agree. This book puts daily bickering in perspective and gets to the heart of why the bickering occurs with activities and discussion directives to guide conversations that you and your partner would have had anyway, but are now productive and not destructive. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to feel closer to your partner through real transcendental conversation - and may provide new fulfillment in your physical relationship as a result!

A Couple's Guide to Communication
This book was published in 1976.There are more current books by the same author that are much better.He is a researcher who was just "starting out" in 1976 and has since made new discoveries so that this book (examples for sure) are very out-of-date for today's world.

Great Book!
This book helped me understand that we often do more damage to our relationships even when we intend to make things better. After reading this book, I see that there are so many things that I noticed in myself and my partner that negatively affected our relationship. We are now on the path to correct these things and our relationship is getting better month by month. This book as well as a very enlightening book called "The Ever-transcending Spirit" by Toru Sato are Godsends to us. They have saved our marriage and made us more positive and hopeful about our own lives! If you read these books, you will understand what I am saying. Good luck on your journeys together!

Great for one and all
This book was recommended for me to read by my Sociology Professor instead of John Gray's work, Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus, and I love it!I've delved a little into both texts and enjoy Gottman's work better since its suggestions are backed by years of clinical research on howthousands of couples communicate and presents the strategies that workedbest for them, where Gray's are more based on observations.This bookgives practical step by step knowledge of how to communicate with yourpartner and the little snags that you run into day by day without evenknowing it.I consider my partner and I very open and able to communicatewith each other, but reading this book showed us that even we could usesome improvement; it has helped me to see where my ability to communicategoes astray and gave me ways to work on them.The language is easy tounderstand and there are even practice exercises you can do with yoursignificant other to review the information he presents.The book presentsa whole program that you can do to help you communicate better with yourmate or even anyone you come into contact with.If you are the kind ofperson who constantly is searching to improve your life, then this is abook for you! ... Read more