The Art of Conversation - Hardcover

Blyth, Catherine

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0719521815 ISBN 13: 9780719521812

Publisher: John Murray Publishers Ltd, 2008

Synopsis

Abridged CDs · 2 CDs, 2 hours

A wide-ranging, exhortatory look at the pleasures of great conversation, including strategies for how to bring it about, from the witty pen of an Englishwoman wise in its ways.

About this title

Book Description:

'Blyth has tips to talk you out of any situation.' (ES Magazine)

'Brings a professional sensibility to the topic' (Scotland on Sunday )

'It's fun, it's fresh and it's flirty - all the things it teaches that we can be, if only we master the art of conversation' (The Resident )

'Erudite, high-spirited and enjoyably bossy . . . a lot of wit and wisdom' (Literary Review )

'The book offers a host of delightful tips on listening, talking shop and even surviving conversational bores' (Diplomat )

'Her book, The Art of Conversation, is a rallying cry for this neglected yet vital pleasure.' (Psychologies )

'Everybody will read it, but pretend they haven't' (Observer)

From the Back Cover:

'Get off that bloody computer and read this bloody great book. Reclaim the orgasmic pleasures of a bloody good conversation. Don't let modern technology turn you into an uncommunicative ninny: ingest this book and start conversing...and then start living.' Simon Doonan, author of ECCENTRIC GLAMOUR

'It is a treasure trove of literary and historical delights, with each page containing a little gem in the form of a quotation or a factoid... I can imagine The Art of Conversation becoming a film in the same way that Stephen Potter's One-Upmanship books became School For Scoundrels. In the meantime, people will buy it for the same reason they buy all books: to give themselves something to talk about.' Toby Young, Independent on Sunday

"Take the wittiest, most spellbinding dinner companion and put her between book covers; that's The Art of Conversation by Catherine Blyth. ... By turns arch, humane, historical, and hysterically funny, she's the person you hope you'll find at the next cocktail party--or the person you'd like to be." Margaret Shepherd, author of THE ART OF CIVILISED CONVERSATION

"Modern man - and woman - have forgotten how to engage larynx and ears. Catherine Blyth teaches the lost art with wit and charm." Harry Mount, author of CARPE DIEM

`A witty and thoroughly entertaining guide to the noble art of conversation.' Katie Hickman, author of THE AVIARY GATE

"Wittily mixing up philosophy with literature, blending science with psychology, Blyth persuasively argues the case for banter and badinage - it's free, its fun and it gets your brain cells firing like the prettiest of firework displays." MARIE CLAIRE

"Blyth is a passionate talker, and here she takes us on an entertaining tour of the art of proper conversation...you'll never be at a loss for words again!" GLAMOUR

About this edition

• Publisher: John Murray Publishers Ltd
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0719521815
• ISBN 13: 9780719521812
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 296