Bridges Not Walls: A Book About Interpersonal Communication

by John Stewart

"Bridges not Walls" examines interpersonal communication through a broad range of scholarly and popular articles drawn from various disciplines, including communication, philosophy, social science, and psychology. Readings included are thought-provoking discussions of the nature of interpersonal contact, connections between verbal and nonverbal cues, person perception and social intelligence, listening, deception and betrayal, identity management, interpersonal ethics, types of love, transformational conflict management, and diversity.

Genres: Nonfiction, Communication, Textbooks, Psychology, Relationships, Personal Development

720 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Nicole Hadenfeldt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a communication major so this book has many key ideas that we discuss and study, so for me it was great! However, many of the articles are fairly easy to understand so I would highly recommend this book to anyone that wants to understand interpersonal communication better. Everyone could use this information!

[Lindsey Varble · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as textbooks go, I enjoyed this one. It’s a collection of articles about different aspects of interpersonal communication. I learned a lot!

[Wera☾⋆°✩ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Najciekawsza lektura, jaką miałam na studiach

[Don Gubler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Articles and writings on relationships, some okay, some not.

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

The edition of this textbook (which I just found on the street) was the 5th & I am assuming that multiple editions have been published since 1990. Initially, I did not think I would complete the reading. I hadn't touched a text book (college level) in several years. By chapter 3, I thought I was through. Something odd happened, the grit inside of me compelled me to accept the challenge, & now I am grateful for this find. The various contributing writers discuss communication from a wide range of sources & inspirations: adults to children, men & women, work-related (the person who reports to a boss & how the boss responds...) Later, it deals tentatively with sexual preferences outside male/female relationships. The edition I read illustrates the transition from the former use of he/his to his/her...not yet reaching they/them...this may be forthcoming in any current edition.

The overall efforts of writers & editor(s) is just what the title suggests, that the ideal of communication is an exchange of information that is needed for humans to connect & that these connections may be enriched or ruined by how we talk, how we listen, how we respond. Are we open or closed to the point of view of others? There are clearly no absolutes going on here, but the reader, grit or no grit, is allowed to understand that communication is ongoing, verbal, non-verbal, & is essential to being fully human. It does not deal too much with people who are unable to speak. I am supposing that the assumption behind this is that would require a specific text book.

Chapter/section titles are often very laden with challenge: ranging from "The Dangers Of Intimacy" to "Self-Revealing Communication" to "The Nature Of Friendship & Its Development" to "Intercultural Communication Problems & Guidelines." The editor did a very fine job of being as comprehensive as he reasonably could. Here, I use 'he' in order to keep myself on the same linguistic level as the book, not to hide from they/them, but this book was not compiled in the 21st Century, & I feel that it would be unjust to try to impose vogue upon the efforts going on with this book.

The most important idea is that communication is a sharing between people, regardless of age, gender, social class, sexual orientation, etc. I feel grateful to have found this book when I did. It was a benefit for me personally to be gently reminded of some concepts that I had let slide or had simply not thought about in a very long time.

I was going to put this book back for others, but decided I need to be greedy, & have it as a reference. So, that means, I liked it & ended respecting what it had to offer.

[Jenifer DeCastro · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have heard about this book over the years and was drawn by the title. Many valid points were made regarding interpersonal communication. Not a simple afternoon read. Interesting academically.

[Suzy Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply one of the very best compilations on the topic of communication. An excellent resource for anyone who cares about interpersonal relationships!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was my textbook in interpersonal comm class.

[Agata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dobrze przetłumaczony podręcznik, nigdy w życiu nie sądziłam, że nie będę musiała korzystać ze swoich notatek do nauki na studiach. Ma swoje wady, ale takie mocne 3.75/4.0

[Abby Reddig Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was my college textbook, loved it, along with Looking In, Looking Out !

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've got the 2001 edition. It's a reader that I'm picking my way through. I pick an author or subject that interests me at the time I pick it up.

I like it enough that I expect to get newer editions as they come my way.

[ewa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy and fast to read, very well written. It may be helpful for developing your listening and communication skills also that book will help you to learn more about yourself as well as those around you.

Ps. I've got the 2009 edition in polish.

[Thane Keller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interpersonal communication is a topic that is better discussed in person rather than written... the author John Stewart highlights this point in his introduction and then continues with the rest of the book... well written but I felt there were better ones out there.

[J.B. Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

;)

[Cheyanne Herrera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think every one should and needs to read this book.

[Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was a textbook