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The Art of Mingling
Win a free print copy of this book!
3 days and 16:39:32
25 copies available
U.S. and Canada only
Brand New. Will be shipped from US.
- GenresSelf HelpNonfiction
Unknown Binding
Published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As a mom of five and a former pastor, I’ve spent years in crowded social settings, so I came to this book hoping for thoughtful, kind, and practical guidance for navigating gatherings with authenticity. Instead, I found a tone that was not only disappointing, but often very offensive.
Early on, I was put off by repeated suggestions to single out “wallflowers,” “party misfits,” and people labeled “socially challenged” as practice tools. This framing is demeaning and treats people as props rather than humans worthy of respect. As the book went on, I genuinely began to wonder if it was intended as satire rather than self help, because the advice felt so out of step with basic compassion.
Sections encouraging fibbing as a social strategy and promoting calculated flattery were especially troubling, implying that dishonesty and insincerity are prerequisites for connection. Add in references to “repugnant occupations,” and the overall tone becomes condescending and morally tone deaf.
By about 20 percent in, I had encountered enough manipulative and belittling concepts to know this book was not for me. While marketed as self help, it reads more like a handbook for social performance than a guide grounded in sincerity or care for others.
Social skills do not require lying, flattery, or using people as practice exercises. For readers seeking respectful, ethical, people centered guidance, this book misses the mark entirely.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy. All opinions are my own. Pub Date October 6, 2026.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy. All opinions are my own. Pub Date October 6, 2026.
★
PinkStinx
Early on, I was put off by repeated suggestions to single out “wallflowers,” “party misfits,” and people labeled “socially challenged” as practice tools. This framing is demeaning and treats people as props rather than humans worthy of respect. As the book went on, I genuinely began to wonder if it was intended as satire rather than self help, because the advice felt so out of step with basic compassion.
Sections encouraging fibbing as a social strategy and promoting calculated flattery were especially troubling, implying that dishonesty and insincerity are prerequisites for connection. Add in references to “repugnant occupations,” and the overall tone becomes condescending and morally tone deaf.
By about 20 percent in, I had encountered enough manipulative and belittling concepts to know this book was not for me. While marketed as self help, it reads more like a handbook for social performance than a guide grounded in sincerity or care for others.
Social skills do not require lying, flattery, or using people as practice exercises. For readers seeking respectful, ethical, people centered guidance, this book misses the mark entirely.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy. All opinions are my own. Pub Date October 6, 2026.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy. All opinions are my own. Pub Date October 6, 2026.
★
PinkStinx
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was excited when I was approved to read the advance copy of this book. Fourth Edition.
I was hoping for some good tips and insights on how to better communicate and mingle at parties, work events, etc.
I am naturally pretty quiet, unless I'm around people I know well.
It felt like the book had a lot of shallowness, And the author suggests lying as one of the techniques, as well as "practicing" your social skills on wall flowers, or people she feels "don't matter".
Very unwelcoming way to help people learn to mingle.
I appreciate NetGalley and ST. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this edition, in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, I was disappointed with what I thought I was going to get from this.
I was hoping for some good tips and insights on how to better communicate and mingle at parties, work events, etc.
I am naturally pretty quiet, unless I'm around people I know well.
It felt like the book had a lot of shallowness, And the author suggests lying as one of the techniques, as well as "practicing" your social skills on wall flowers, or people she feels "don't matter".
Very unwelcoming way to help people learn to mingle.
I appreciate NetGalley and ST. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this edition, in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, I was disappointed with what I thought I was going to get from this.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Fun and informative little book on how to get along at parties 0r business socials. There are a lot of good tips and some funny stories in here. Martinet must be a very entertaining guest whether she has been invited or crashed a party. I usually am a wall flower and hide at big parties, but I am looking forward to trying some of her suggestions.
December 17, 2025
A (dated) book of charming entrances, graceful exits, and witticisms for in between. It's sometimes a better read for having a good laugh than for learning, and some of these tips would make people think you're very strange or unwell. But I did try to commit some good jokes and party hosting tips to memory. While I enjoy mingling and don't particularly struggle with it, this book could be valuable and instructive to people who are on the Autism spectrum, chronically socially anxious, or just out of practice.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews