The Art of Civilized Conversation: A Guide to Expressing Yourself With Style and Grace - Hardcover

"Just as a civilized conversation can get the morning off to a great start, it can enhance your work life all through the day and invigorate an evening of social life. If you enjoy the art of conversation with your family and friends, you will also shine at breakfast with a client, lunch with coworkers, and dinner with your boss. It's the Swiss Army knife of social skills that anyone can learn to use. Take it with you wherever you go, and you'll be equipped to turn a seatmate into a confidant, an interviewer into an employer, and an acquaintance into a friend. As an accomplished conversationalist, you'll be welcomed everywhere; everyone loves good conversation because it is fun."
--from the Introduction

A common-sense and insightful guide to the art of personal communication and conversation explains how to find the right words regardless of the situation, with advice on body language, first impressions, appropriate subject matter, graceful exits, and other important speaking skills. 25,000 first printing.