How to Win Friends and Influence People

How to Win Friends and Influence People is one of the first bestselling self-help books ever published. Written by Dale Carnegie and first published in 1936, it has sold 15 million copies globally. [1]

Leon Shimkin of the publishing firm Simon & Schuster took one of the 14-week courses given by Carnegie in 1934. Shimkin persuaded Carnegie to let a stenographer take notes from the course to be revised for publication. Since its first publication the book has been revised to update the language and update anecdotes.[2]. The 1981 edition was reduced from six to four parts.[citation needed]Contents [hide]
1 Major sections and points
1.1 Fundamental Techniques in Handling People
1.2 Six Ways to Make People Like You
1.3 Twelve Ways to Win People to Your Way of Thinking
1.4 Be a Leader: How to Change People Without Giving Offense or Arousing Resentment
1.5 Letters That Produced Miraculous Results
1.6 Seven Rules For Making your Home Life Happier
2 Parody
3 References
4 External links

[edit]
Major sections and points

The book has six major sections. The core principles of each section are quoted below.

[edit]
Fundamental Techniques in Handling People
Don't criticize, condemn or complain.
Give honest and sincere appreciation.
Arouse in the other person an eager want.

[edit]
Six Ways to Make People Like You
Become genuinely interested in other people.
Smile.
Remember that a man's Name is to him the sweetest and most important sound in any language.
Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.
Talk in the terms of the other man's interest.
Make the other person feel important and do it sincerely.

[edit]
Twelve Ways to Win People to Your Way of Thinking
Avoid arguments.
Show respect for the other person's opinions. Never tell someone they are wrong.
If you're wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically.
Begin in a friendly way.
Start with questions the other person will answer yes to.
Let the other person do the... [continues]

Read full essay