How to Win Friends and Influence People Book Review

If you have ever thought about reading a self-help book, this is one of the recommendations that is the most common. How to Win Friends and Influence People was first written by Dale Carnegie in 1936. This book was originally a collection of Dale Carnegie’s lectures he gave to students and he ended up organizing that information into this book. He originally only published around 5000 copies in the books first publication. There have been many different editions, updates and publications of How to Win Friends and Influence People. Since 1936 How to Win Friends and Influence People has sold over 45 million copies worldwide making it one of the best selling books of all time! The version of the book I read was updated by his daughter for a more modern audience but little was changed and the core values hold strong. What did I think of one of the best selling books of all-time?

To put it simply, Dale Carnegie’s book goes in-depth about how to treat people to obtain your desired outcome. He divides his information info

– Part One: Fundamental Techniques in Handling People

– Part Two: Six Ways to Make People Like You

– Part Three: How to Win People to Your Way of Thinking

– Part Four: Be a Leader: How to Change People Without Giving Offense or Arousing Resentment

In each of the four parts Dale illustrates real life examples of his students, business leaders (Charles Schwab and John Rockefeller) or political leaders (Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt) have had in their personal life or workplace. Dale’s information seems like common sense when you read it and he provides excellent real life examples to drive home his principles. Charles Schwab may not have been the most knowledgeable man in the world about steel, but he knew how to surround himself with smarter people than himself and was a master motivator. Benjamin Franklin was the most important diplomat of early America and knew how to talk to others and get exactly what he needed out of a conversation. Dale goes into detail about how these master motivators and communicators operated to make them so successful!

How to Win Friends and Influence People is an excellent business/leadership book. Some of these principles will translate into your personal life as well. I recommend How to Win Friends and Influence People to anybody looking to advance themselves professionally/personally or to help strengthen personal relationships. Great information and I understand why Dale Carnegie’s book has sold over 45 million copies!