Review by Booklist Review
Larry King does how-to--in this case, how to make conversation. Unfortunately, he fails to tell us much of anything new about the intricacies of the lively art. Instead, he offers mostly old saws (look listeners right in the eye, don't monopolize the conversation), and some of his advice is downright laughable. Larry sez: When you strike up a conversation with the opposite sex, avoid openers like, What's a nice girl like you doing in a place like this? "Lines like this don't work anymore." Oh, duh, Larry. There's another unintentionally hysterical section in which he counsels readers on how to talk to celebrities ("Ask Woody Allen about the New York Knicks basketball team, or Paul Newman about his charity work with kids"). Say, what a good idea. Next time I'm having dinner at Elaine's, I'll waltz right over and ask Woody about Patrick Ewing's health, though I'd rather know what the heck he sees in Soon-Yi. More interesting than King's advice are his recollections of broadcasts where the conversation was either terrific or turgid and his take on the good and bad guests he's had on his shows (Bob Kennedy, good; Bob Hope, bad; Bob Mitchum, very bad). Despite this largely silly book's numerous flaws, King's name will create demand, and, who knows, there may be patrons out there who want to know what to say at a funeral. (Reviewed October 15, 1994)0517599058Ilene Cooper
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
King, host of CNN's Larry King Live, here sets out to instruct readers on how to talk confidently and effectively in a variety of situations, such as job interviews, business presentations, social events and even discussions with one's spouse. Shyness and ``bloopers'' can be turned into assets, comments King, who relates how he clammed up the first time he was on a radio show. By openly admitting his nervousness, he claims he disarmed his listeners. Filled with practical advice, amusing anecdotes and a chapter on his ``best and worst guests,'' this self-help guide, written with freelancer Gilbert, will be a hit with King devotees. Fortune Book Club selection; BOMC and QPB alternates; author tour. (Nov.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
You might not be as smooth a talker as King after finishing this book, but it doesn't hurt to try. King, who has talked to everyone from Gorbachev to Michael Jackson, tells us how he does it. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
