Book Review: Thank you for Arguing by Jay Heinrichs

Are not!

Are too!

If you think that’s the most effective way to argue a point you need to read Jay Heinrichs’ book about the effective use of persuasion, Thank You For Arguing. In the current contentious political client, the art of rational discourse seems to be a lost heart, but the author suggests calm and unemotional ways to discuss topic without coming to blows. His methods aren’t without a sense of humor. He uses examples from Eminem, John Belushi, and Homer Simpson.

Heinrichs handles both offense and defense equally well; how to win an argument and how to effectively defend a position.  He doesn’t play favorites with either young or old either. He has several suggestion how a teenager can convince a parent to push back a curfew. Nervous speaker? He covers that, too. One trick is to gradually increase volume. To the audience it will sound as if the speaker grows in confidence because the contents of the speech have also gained importance. Heinrich also examines effective use of rhetoric in the work place from how to talk yourself into a position during a job interview to dealing with an argumentative boss or disgruntled co-worker. He even gives a step-by-step method to recover from a screw-ups; set new goals, break the news first, focus on the future, don’t belittle the victim and apologize by expressing how you haven’t live up to your standard. Good advice for both businesses and personal life.

Heinrich is knowledgeable and amusing and teaches how to recognize not only when you’re being had, but also shows how to use the same tools to turn the tables. The back of the book has an extensive appendix with some fun exercises. This book would a good addition to a classroom and should be required reading for certain folk in government who think they’re always right, but sound like dolts.

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for a review.