Claiming that the book is backed by sociological studies and that it contains confidential testimony from thousands of people attending her seminars, Lowndes attempts to assure us that this is serious stuff. However, a read through the contents list alone (63 chapters crammed into 300 or so pages with an intro!) will have you chuckling and smiling. In fact the contents list might give you all the tips you need: "What about turning a friend into a lover?2 or "Beauty is as beauty feels", and even "The making of a star: me!"

Given the hazy premise that fear, uncertainty and doubt are at the root of not being liked (Lowndes calls it the FUD factor) and with tips like sprinkling your conversation with "uh huh" when speaking to a woman, it is easy to dismiss this as superficial pap. However, Lowndes does have the gift of the gab, and combined with short sections, plenty of tips and soundbites, this is certainly a quick, easy read. It might even win you a few admirers--if that's what you really want. --Lorna V.

Also, I did not at all feel at home in the image she seems to have of men as some kind of baseball-watching, beercan-swinging, woman-conquering, shoot-from-the-hip, superior and slightly dangerous aliens from mars, who need to be treated in very delicate ways. Men are just people too, you know, Leil.

In the end, I just had to put the book down.

If you're a bloke and want a book on this subject, look for something written by a fellow bloke.


Where's the appendix?   January 2, 2004
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

A fairly good book, with plenty of ideas.
However, the book makes frequent references to the appendix, in which we are supposed to find activities which will help us. WHERE IS IT?
I was most disappointed, to find there isn't one, as the activities would have been helpful.


Where's the appendix?   January 2, 2004
 3 out of 5 found this review helpful

A fairly good book, with plenty of ideas.
However, the book makes frequent references to the appendix, in which we are supposed to find activities which will help us. WHERE IS IT?


A solid, enjoyable read   July 13, 2003
 10 out of 10 found this review helpful

There is no doubt that Lowndes has a superb informal style of writing, sharing anecdotes as though she were in the room with you. However, some of her tips almost seem common sense in my mind - almost all of the friends that I know use at least some of her communication techniques, especially speaking as though they were the listener. Also, as a man I found some of the gender stereotyping (whether backed up by sociological studies or not) a little curious. If I had someone blankly stare at me whilst speaking and not nod or make it known that they are paying attention, I would either be offended or just plain freaked out.

Regardless, the book is excellent to brush up your social skills and is genuinely useful, especially in chapters such as networking and the unique approach that Lowndes recommends at parties. The reader might best be advised however that although the book contains truthes, they aren't all necessarily universal.


do it!   March 14, 2003
 5 out of 7 found this review helpful

Ok, I used to read self-improvement books to get life skills, but nothing could ever compare with dale Carnegies "how to make friends and influence people". I now read them largely for their chatty positive style.

Leil Lowndes is a genius, she reels out fundamental truisms about human relations. As she is a woman, she sees things from the femenine perspective, a feature often ignored by most self improvement books. She tells you about social gaffs that have occured to her friends and how to avoid them.

you see, there are real things in life nobody ever tells you, like not to contradict people, and when it's appropriate to make jokes and when not.

Buy this book, if it doesn't make people like you, it will still keep you entertained and give you a few life skills you need.