Let's Talk: How to Have Better Conversations

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The beginning of the book, with its history of how societies perceived conversation, was interesting enough to me to raise this to a 3* review. You won’t get a textbook on how to have a better conversation, so if you are looking for a “how-to” guide, then I suggest you look elsewhere.

That being said it was an easy read and some of the stories were fun to go through, but if you are looking for ways to have better conversations this isn’t the book.Nihal has produced a fascinating, informative and nuanced look at the very nature and need for conversation. Really enjoyed the start, particularly the bit about children maths test snd how their hormones were impacted depending on whether they spoke to someone after or if the texted. Nihal can also be heard on the official Penguin Books podcast, interviewing some of the top authors in the UK today, including the likes of Richard Osman and Bernadine Evaristo. million listeners a week on BBC Radio 5 Live who regard him as one of the best people of his generation at having public conversations. With insights from ‘professional conversationalists’ from various sectors, this is a thoughtful read with some practical takeaways on how to have better conversations.

When the lesson is to actually listen to other people in conversation I, sadly, need frequent reminders. Guests from the world's biggest stars to leaders of inner-city gangs have lauded his seemingly innate ability to stimulate positive discussions without the need for confrontation. If the tag line had been something like " stories from my life as a radio host," it wouldn't have felt like such a letdown.He wants to know what it really means to have a 'great conversation' and, most importantly, how he can teach us to have better interactions in our everyday lives. And I think thats what the Author wanted to get across from the book and they suceeded surprisingly well. I like that he uses the final chapter to summarise the majority of the key points from his interviewees. One of broadcasting's most adept conductors of public conversation, Arthanayake probes what makes for productive discourse in this eye-opening volume committed to enhancing the quality of debate in modern society.