How to Win Friends and Influence People

I have read this book twice, about 25 years apart, and it kind of clashes with my negative personality because I'm not the sort of person to spend hours mailing out Christmas cards for pseudo popularity. Or maybe it's the price of stamps?

For people with the right mindset, this is a potentially life-changing book on how to make mega bucks and become even more popular while trumpeting that success and billions of followers to the bank.

Think of it as a sales person's best friend or companion guide.

Cynicism aside, there is a LOT to be gleaned from this book and the reason I rate it so highly: it has taught me a number of important lessons. You can't essentially change who you are but you can be better at what you do. Performing effectively as a timid dog is difficult, but you can still enhance your abilities and interactions if you really want to. Try and get on better with people, learn to be more generous in your praise, attempt to listen instead of blabbing on about yourself. Do not slag off other people behind their backs just for the sake of it. Keep it to yourself!

Try to be confident in who you are regardless of what other people think. I know it's hard and criticism stings, but when I realised that everyone's too busy thinking about themselves to worry about me, it really helped. This makes you stronger and gives you more power.

Even though I don't agree with the corporate and capitalist push instilled in this book, it's still an upbeat and positive read from the perspective of a man who knows how to make the best out of himself and wants to share that with others.

A bit dated, but really friendly, encouraging and positive.