Bodytalk: A world guide to gestures

by Desmond Morris

Book by Morris, Desmond

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Reference, Research, Language

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Desmond John Morris (born 24 January 1928) is an English zoologist, ethologist and surrealist painter, as well as a popular author in human sociobiology. He is known for his 1967 book The Naked Ape, and for his television programmes such as Zoo Time.

Reviews

[Claire Binkley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many human gestures have gone over my head, all my life, even when I went abroad. I didn't understand the origin of certain puzzling gestures before. For that reason, I am grateful that I opened this book. Desmond Morris explains what a wide assortment of movements mean, with clear pictures depicting them all.

I never really understood the "Evil Eye" thing that this author describes, for example, even when my mother had described it to me. What this author says is that some people are said to be giving others it. I had sensed it was "a thing" in Hadji Murád which is a Tolstoy book I loved. But maybe it wasn't, maybe I just was getting impressions.
Desmond Morris gives a good representation of what is going on here in my opinion though, so when I see someone, I might be able to discern what they are trying to tell me before they open their mouths.

I think this is a valuable resource for people to learn to be more observant of others' body language, culturally-sensitive.
So, if you were to open it, yourself, maybe you might pick up certain moves that he depicted and I missed.

[Meg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as some of his other books. More a list of what a gesture means to each world society. Good if you want to insult people with gestures all over the world, but not really explaining why it's so.

[Greencarrot520 · Rating 4 out of 5]

cuốn sách là một bản tập hợp về các cử chỉ điệu bộ cùng với những ý nghĩa đi kèm, với mỗi quốc gia các cử chỉ có những ý nghĩa khác nhau, và nhiều khi trái ngược. nên cuốn sách rất hữu ích khi chúng ta có thể biết nên thể hiện cử chỉ hay tránh những cử chỉ có thể được xem là lăng mạ và quá khích

[Sofie Hüblová · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shit. Another misogyny trash

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

A messy collection of gestures interpreted according to the understanding of the author. It can be fun for some two or three minutes, than it becomes boring. The writing makes things worse. A mix of popular culture recent vocabulary (ex. akimbo) combines with very imprecise directions (ex. in some regions). Nice try.

[Lukas Dusek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice and helpful encyclopedia of gestures. The information about the cultural or national spread across the globe might be useful for all travellers.
I would welcome additional information if the gesture is controlled or unwilling.

[Ivan ristic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book that I want to have

[Robert Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you travel this book is indispensable, know the customs, watch body language, listen to and watch what people are saying to you! This is a very good book if you want to hear and see the message!