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I Can Read You Like A Book: How to Spot the Messages and Emotions People Are Really Sending With Their Body Language
Are you in business, journalism, law enforcement, or medicine? Do you face students in a classroom or criminals in a courtroom? Are you in a relationship or looking for one? Do you have children? Then you need the skills to read them like a book! I Can Read You Like a Book features a system for scanning and interpreting anyone's body language, enabling you to figure out what they are really saying or
Step by step, you will develop the same skills the best interrogators and detectives use to assess spies, criminals, and witnesses. As part of the process, you will observe some of the most famous people in the world through interrogator Greg Hartley's eyes. You'll discover what emotions these politicians, pundits, and stars are leaking through their body language and facial expressions, and what their answers (or non-answers) are really saying. I Can Read You Like a Book gives you the fastest, most efficient method to read body language. In any kind of face-to-face competition, first encounters or daily encounters, and even watching the news, you will spot the messages and emotions that people are really sending—whether they know it or not. As a bonus, you will learn how to use your own face and body to your advantage, whether you're trying to evade a difficult question, handle a sensitive situation, or just playing poker!
Step by step, you will develop the same skills the best interrogators and detectives use to assess spies, criminals, and witnesses. As part of the process, you will observe some of the most famous people in the world through interrogator Greg Hartley's eyes. You'll discover what emotions these politicians, pundits, and stars are leaking through their body language and facial expressions, and what their answers (or non-answers) are really saying. I Can Read You Like a Book gives you the fastest, most efficient method to read body language. In any kind of face-to-face competition, first encounters or daily encounters, and even watching the news, you will spot the messages and emotions that people are really sending—whether they know it or not. As a bonus, you will learn how to use your own face and body to your advantage, whether you're trying to evade a difficult question, handle a sensitive situation, or just playing poker!
261 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2007
90 people are currently reading
1172 people want to read
About the author
Gregory Hartley
16 books82 followersGregory Hartley's expertise as an interrogator first earned him honors with the United States Army. More recently, it has drawn organizations such as the Defense Intelligence Agency, Navy SEALS, Federal law enforcement agencies, and national TV to seek his insights about "how to" as well as "why." He resides near Atlanta, Georgia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
December 25, 2017
Authors Hartley and Karinch research of body defining language was impressive.
I Can Read You Like A Book is one of the better books on the market about said subject. I Can Read You Like A Book was an impressive read in that authors Hartley and Karinch actually understands what’s involved when it comes to understanding how to read people.
Extreme Examples That Affect Body Language
1) Sunna circumcision
2) Pederasty
3) Scarification
The authors ask before you read I Can Read You Like A Book to forget everything you already know about reading people. What I liked about I Can Read You Like A Book is how it was written at a level even a child can understand.
I Can Read You Like A Book used good examples and good information.
Authors Hartley and Karinch says to get good at reading body language you must go out and do the “R” over and over. Open your eyes and ears. Turn off your biased, over-analytical brain and observe the way a child observes. A toddler sees objects and actions in a more stand-alone way than adults, who go to extraordinary means to make connections. He has no preexisting framework to overlap his observations onto, so he’s a much better collector of pure body language than older, well-socialized people.
You cannot hope to read body language well unless you take culture into consideration.
The above quote is so true and it explains the importance of minorities researching the background of any therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist before putting any confidence in their abilities to help you. Many shrinks grew-up in all white neighborhoods, attended all white or majority white colleges/universities/religious organizations, have never had a friend that wasn’t white, never met a non-white human being in a non-racist environment and finally, grew up entitled no matter their parents’ income. These individuals cannot, therefore, understand or relate to the uphill battles of any minority. How can they when they grew-up protected, and not having any experience with non-whites they only understand one culture and that’s the one they grew up-in and may or may not have ever left and who consider said minority inferior before the “hello” greeting is uttered.
Someone who has never walked in your shoes can never relate to your journey.
I Can Read You Like A Book is one of the better books on the market about said subject. I Can Read You Like A Book was an impressive read in that authors Hartley and Karinch actually understands what’s involved when it comes to understanding how to read people.
Extreme Examples That Affect Body Language
1) Sunna circumcision
2) Pederasty
3) Scarification
The authors ask before you read I Can Read You Like A Book to forget everything you already know about reading people. What I liked about I Can Read You Like A Book is how it was written at a level even a child can understand.
I Can Read You Like A Book used good examples and good information.
Authors Hartley and Karinch says to get good at reading body language you must go out and do the “R” over and over. Open your eyes and ears. Turn off your biased, over-analytical brain and observe the way a child observes. A toddler sees objects and actions in a more stand-alone way than adults, who go to extraordinary means to make connections. He has no preexisting framework to overlap his observations onto, so he’s a much better collector of pure body language than older, well-socialized people.
You cannot hope to read body language well unless you take culture into consideration.
The above quote is so true and it explains the importance of minorities researching the background of any therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist before putting any confidence in their abilities to help you. Many shrinks grew-up in all white neighborhoods, attended all white or majority white colleges/universities/religious organizations, have never had a friend that wasn’t white, never met a non-white human being in a non-racist environment and finally, grew up entitled no matter their parents’ income. These individuals cannot, therefore, understand or relate to the uphill battles of any minority. How can they when they grew-up protected, and not having any experience with non-whites they only understand one culture and that’s the one they grew up-in and may or may not have ever left and who consider said minority inferior before the “hello” greeting is uttered.
Someone who has never walked in your shoes can never relate to your journey.
April 24, 2022
This books starts off talking about social and cultural differences. I'm always fascinated in these subjects. Gregory Hartley's use of the bell curve is eye-opening for me. Inserting the bell curve in different aspects in our life is a great learning tool.
The sections about celebrity status and entitlement is so spot on it gives me chills.
The second half of the book was interesting but not quite as exhilarating as the first half. Still a very insightful and knowledgeable read. This might go well with Gregory Hartley's other book How to Spot a Liar: Why People Don't Tell the Truth...and How You Can Catch Them
The sections about celebrity status and entitlement is so spot on it gives me chills.
The second half of the book was interesting but not quite as exhilarating as the first half. Still a very insightful and knowledgeable read. This might go well with Gregory Hartley's other book How to Spot a Liar: Why People Don't Tell the Truth...and How You Can Catch Them
November 25, 2018
الفصل الأول والثاني جميل جداً
ثم بدأ العكّ
والفصل السادس أيضاً فيه لفتات لطيفة
لو مضطر يعني اقرأ هذه الفصول فقط
ثم بدأ العكّ
والفصل السادس أيضاً فيه لفتات لطيفة
لو مضطر يعني اقرأ هذه الفصول فقط
December 12, 2010
Super intriguing, but this could have been much more so if he actually attempted any sort of conclusion.
I liked: that he took into account cultural trappings, that he didn't ask for a motive for scratching your nose, that he used examples from current celebrities. I was a little turned off by being consistently referred to as a shaved ape, but I got over that - he did a good job of stripping off the layers of civilization what have you and stopped repeating himself once he got into the actual book. I would have appreciated a much deeper analysis: after all, how much do I really need to be told that a shrug of the shoulders means uncertainty or that someone who is tapping his foot is probably impatient?
best point: I am more self-aware. now off to find another book to tell me what move I should make to signify that.
I liked: that he took into account cultural trappings, that he didn't ask for a motive for scratching your nose, that he used examples from current celebrities. I was a little turned off by being consistently referred to as a shaved ape, but I got over that - he did a good job of stripping off the layers of civilization what have you and stopped repeating himself once he got into the actual book. I would have appreciated a much deeper analysis: after all, how much do I really need to be told that a shrug of the shoulders means uncertainty or that someone who is tapping his foot is probably impatient?
best point: I am more self-aware. now off to find another book to tell me what move I should make to signify that.
September 17, 2013
I loved every imformation that this book gave me.The way it taught about people's behaviour and meaning.What to rely on and what will come next.
The author comprised the body language in every situation that i could think of.I felt like i learned so much about body language in just a couple days reading this book.It had a lot of interesting imformation.
I will definitely read his other books.
April 2, 2025
Meh.
This guy is sure full of himself.
This guy is sure full of himself.
December 24, 2009
In this book, Gregory Hartley applies his knowledge of successful interrogation practices to teach his readers to apply these practices in other settings in order to read people’s body language and better understand the framework in which they are operating. There are innumerable benefits to being able to read the hidden messages of those around you, and Hartley is careful to point out that these skills should be used for good instead of evil—in other words, his readers should apply these “reading” skills to learn to operate more effectively in social scenarios, rather than using them to manipulate or connive.
While I appreciate the author’s lighthearted banter and unassuming tone, his writing causes some difficulty in grasping the ultimate intention of his book. Hartley seems to have a rather high opinion of himself, and the fact that he starts the book by tooting his own horn makes me doubt his ability to apply the people skills of which he’s so sure. Does he really understand the intricacies of interpersonal communication as well as he seems to think he does? Once past the introduction, however, the book is rather well written: very thorough, and with all supporting points carefully explained. He uses historical examples to back up many of his points, which is as charming as it is effective in establishing his rhetorical authority.
Though this is a fun and engaging read, the title--I Can Read You Like a Book—is ultimately quite apropos. Hartley expends a significant amount of text talking about himself and his expertise, without fully relating his successes to the method he is trying to instruct. While this self-reflective narrative is charming at first, and helps establish the structure of the book, it allows him the cop-out of not fully teaching his material. He gets about halfway through the lesson, then just sort of fizzles out. The reader learns some very interesting methods for reading body language, but without sufficient instruction into practical application. It’s good to know what methods to use, but it would be better to know how to use them. On this point, Hartley’s text falls a bit short. I recognize that such thorough instruction is difficult to convey in text rather than face-to-face, but it is ultimately a bit disappointing that the book doesn’t go quite as far with its instruction as it purports to.
Nevertheless, this is one of many such texts that Gregory Hartley and Maryann Karinch have co-authored, and might offer a fuller lesson when paired with their other books. The writing style is certainly sufficiently engaging to warrant reading more.
While I appreciate the author’s lighthearted banter and unassuming tone, his writing causes some difficulty in grasping the ultimate intention of his book. Hartley seems to have a rather high opinion of himself, and the fact that he starts the book by tooting his own horn makes me doubt his ability to apply the people skills of which he’s so sure. Does he really understand the intricacies of interpersonal communication as well as he seems to think he does? Once past the introduction, however, the book is rather well written: very thorough, and with all supporting points carefully explained. He uses historical examples to back up many of his points, which is as charming as it is effective in establishing his rhetorical authority.
Though this is a fun and engaging read, the title--I Can Read You Like a Book—is ultimately quite apropos. Hartley expends a significant amount of text talking about himself and his expertise, without fully relating his successes to the method he is trying to instruct. While this self-reflective narrative is charming at first, and helps establish the structure of the book, it allows him the cop-out of not fully teaching his material. He gets about halfway through the lesson, then just sort of fizzles out. The reader learns some very interesting methods for reading body language, but without sufficient instruction into practical application. It’s good to know what methods to use, but it would be better to know how to use them. On this point, Hartley’s text falls a bit short. I recognize that such thorough instruction is difficult to convey in text rather than face-to-face, but it is ultimately a bit disappointing that the book doesn’t go quite as far with its instruction as it purports to.
Nevertheless, this is one of many such texts that Gregory Hartley and Maryann Karinch have co-authored, and might offer a fuller lesson when paired with their other books. The writing style is certainly sufficiently engaging to warrant reading more.
May 9, 2013
DNF.
I picked this up from the library, partly out of curiosity, but mostly as supplemental research for a story I'm working on.
Basically, text is not a very helpful way to learn how to read people. The writing was clear enough (despite very much wanting a heavy proofread) but although I would nod with understanding while actually reading, once I pulled my eyes from the page and started watching real people, I suddenly realized that I had no idea what the authors were talking about.
I got a few useful things for the sake of my own story, but jack-all for practical application in real life.
YMMV.
I picked this up from the library, partly out of curiosity, but mostly as supplemental research for a story I'm working on.
Basically, text is not a very helpful way to learn how to read people. The writing was clear enough (despite very much wanting a heavy proofread) but although I would nod with understanding while actually reading, once I pulled my eyes from the page and started watching real people, I suddenly realized that I had no idea what the authors were talking about.
I got a few useful things for the sake of my own story, but jack-all for practical application in real life.
YMMV.
March 1, 2020
As the title suggests a book about body language - one of the key things this outlines is to know and understand social norms for that individual. Understand cultural norms as well, these vary dramatically, take these all into account to help assess the current situation.
Outlines there isn't one rule for everyone you very much need to understand an individual's baseline behaviour. Then you can try to determine meaning of their behaviour by assessing deviations from this.
An example from book is to ask somebody where they want to be going on holiday, you may see you there eyes going in a certain direction. If then you ask them where they spent last Saturday night and the eyes then move in the same direction be cautious, it is as if they're thinking of a fantasy to make something up rather than what actually happened!
In terms of anger people react differently depending on their gender (or the gender they mostly associate with). Men tend to become externally focused whereas women tend to become more inward and make very deliberate concise movements. In other words in "men, the direction manifests itself in physical displays of aggression, whether overt or masked. In women, this demonstration can simply be a sharpening of the wit or more feminine behaviour. The commonality is hyper-demonstrative gender behaviour. Women rarely fistfight—they “catfight” instead. Similar to cats, they pose and growl a lot, often with little contact other than the swipe of a claw." States the reason is a relates to the size of the amygdala being larger in men than in women (note have not checked this, just outlining what book says).
Focus is either internal or external, it can be sharp or scattered. Focus may relate to something apparent to the outside world or something going on inside that individual's head.
Anger: Energy high, direction sharp, focus external.
Confusion: Energy low, direction scattered, focus internal.
Distraction: Energy high, direction scattered, focus internal.
Excitement: Energy high, direction scattered, focus stimulus dependent.
Interest: Energy high, direction sharp, focus external.
Fear: Energy high, direction sharp, focus external.
Secretiveness: Energy low, direction sharp, focus external.
Embarrassment: Energy low; direction sharp, focus internal.
In terms of posture men generally have a higher point of balance than women who have a lower point of balance. Activities that you undertake can change this, so for example you do lots of exercise your posture may improve. Age also impacts on posture and tends to make men stoop more with lower point of gravity, making them appear more womanly. The book mentions this mainly so you can readily spot somebody who is doing an activity that they usually don't undertake. Fro example congruent to the athlete's physique you would expect exercises such as running to appear normal. Whereas if somebody is running who does minimal exercise their muscle memory has not developed and it can look rather bizarre.
Suggests a good place to spot people's sense of energy is in an airport; you can tell those with a spring in the step are going on holiday where as those who are doing this more methodical are likely going on business. Only exception is perhaps an individual who has just started to travel for business who may have the spring in their step.
Book mentions a lot about culture and the relative differences between American culture and others, clearly it is important to take into account when reading people's body language. Simply keep your eyes open and observe the culture of the place you are in. Book covers aspects of human behaviour and suggests, for example when trying to get your children to do household chores separate these tasks from their allowance. Otherwise you can encourage the completing household chores solely as a response to getting paid. Give them their allowance anyway, so they can learn to manage money.
There are different types of people each with different ways to interact with them:
The instigator; tries to influence things secretly behind the scenes can cause others mayhem but the instigator themselves tends to be free from harm. The best way to overcome an instigator is to get them to praise you ideally in a public open forum. Therefore they are change tactic and undermine you as they may appear foolish.
The Coalition builder; these people are often able to establish the best outcome and resolve arguments. Siding with this individual is the best way to manage them and try to get them to identify with your cause, which may not be easy. This means that then when they try to settle a discussion it would harm themselves if the outcome harmed your cause.
The influence peddler; person oversees many things and influences people. The way to to overcome them is to give body language of helplessness so they help you. Whilst doing so make them realise that you are the most important cog in the wheel so they need to keep attempting to influence you.
The advisor; people tend to go around giving advice to the alpha, for example a presidential adviser. In public you can't really win in an argument with them, unless you can provoke the alpha enough to call them and the person they're advising intervenes to help you win this argument. Best way is to divide and conquer, get them on their own without the people around that they are advising.
In meetings the importance of being quiet is stressed. If you are then able to listen to everybody's points of views and summarise these succinctly, often dumbing down the technical language so all can understand it makes you appear as if you have a great knowledge on the subject.
Outlines there isn't one rule for everyone you very much need to understand an individual's baseline behaviour. Then you can try to determine meaning of their behaviour by assessing deviations from this.
An example from book is to ask somebody where they want to be going on holiday, you may see you there eyes going in a certain direction. If then you ask them where they spent last Saturday night and the eyes then move in the same direction be cautious, it is as if they're thinking of a fantasy to make something up rather than what actually happened!
In terms of anger people react differently depending on their gender (or the gender they mostly associate with). Men tend to become externally focused whereas women tend to become more inward and make very deliberate concise movements. In other words in "men, the direction manifests itself in physical displays of aggression, whether overt or masked. In women, this demonstration can simply be a sharpening of the wit or more feminine behaviour. The commonality is hyper-demonstrative gender behaviour. Women rarely fistfight—they “catfight” instead. Similar to cats, they pose and growl a lot, often with little contact other than the swipe of a claw." States the reason is a relates to the size of the amygdala being larger in men than in women (note have not checked this, just outlining what book says).
Focus is either internal or external, it can be sharp or scattered. Focus may relate to something apparent to the outside world or something going on inside that individual's head.
Anger: Energy high, direction sharp, focus external.
Confusion: Energy low, direction scattered, focus internal.
Distraction: Energy high, direction scattered, focus internal.
Excitement: Energy high, direction scattered, focus stimulus dependent.
Interest: Energy high, direction sharp, focus external.
Fear: Energy high, direction sharp, focus external.
Secretiveness: Energy low, direction sharp, focus external.
Embarrassment: Energy low; direction sharp, focus internal.
In terms of posture men generally have a higher point of balance than women who have a lower point of balance. Activities that you undertake can change this, so for example you do lots of exercise your posture may improve. Age also impacts on posture and tends to make men stoop more with lower point of gravity, making them appear more womanly. The book mentions this mainly so you can readily spot somebody who is doing an activity that they usually don't undertake. Fro example congruent to the athlete's physique you would expect exercises such as running to appear normal. Whereas if somebody is running who does minimal exercise their muscle memory has not developed and it can look rather bizarre.
Suggests a good place to spot people's sense of energy is in an airport; you can tell those with a spring in the step are going on holiday where as those who are doing this more methodical are likely going on business. Only exception is perhaps an individual who has just started to travel for business who may have the spring in their step.
Book mentions a lot about culture and the relative differences between American culture and others, clearly it is important to take into account when reading people's body language. Simply keep your eyes open and observe the culture of the place you are in. Book covers aspects of human behaviour and suggests, for example when trying to get your children to do household chores separate these tasks from their allowance. Otherwise you can encourage the completing household chores solely as a response to getting paid. Give them their allowance anyway, so they can learn to manage money.
There are different types of people each with different ways to interact with them:
The instigator; tries to influence things secretly behind the scenes can cause others mayhem but the instigator themselves tends to be free from harm. The best way to overcome an instigator is to get them to praise you ideally in a public open forum. Therefore they are change tactic and undermine you as they may appear foolish.
The Coalition builder; these people are often able to establish the best outcome and resolve arguments. Siding with this individual is the best way to manage them and try to get them to identify with your cause, which may not be easy. This means that then when they try to settle a discussion it would harm themselves if the outcome harmed your cause.
The influence peddler; person oversees many things and influences people. The way to to overcome them is to give body language of helplessness so they help you. Whilst doing so make them realise that you are the most important cog in the wheel so they need to keep attempting to influence you.
The advisor; people tend to go around giving advice to the alpha, for example a presidential adviser. In public you can't really win in an argument with them, unless you can provoke the alpha enough to call them and the person they're advising intervenes to help you win this argument. Best way is to divide and conquer, get them on their own without the people around that they are advising.
In meetings the importance of being quiet is stressed. If you are then able to listen to everybody's points of views and summarise these succinctly, often dumbing down the technical language so all can understand it makes you appear as if you have a great knowledge on the subject.
March 5, 2015
I thought that the most interesting part of this was his analysis of the body language of politicians and actors. Greg Hartley is clearly very skilled at deciphering non-verbal communication, but his book doesn't really impart this knowledge in a simple manner. Some of his suggestions for reading and influencing body language in the workplace seemed downright dangerous to the reader's career. I do think that there's some useful information in 'I Can Read You Like A Book' but I would be hesitant to ever truly utilize it because the skill that Hartley describes feels manipulative and false.
December 9, 2008
The strength of this book is the author's focus on principles of reading body language based on context, especially culture. Unfortunately, the author has far too few examples for the reader to get a clear picture of what he means. Still, the book did set me on a useful path toward how to approach reading body language.
April 9, 2009
Written by a former(?) interrogator for the US Army this book will give you the basics of reading the body language of others. It also includes and uncomfortable amount of information on how to manipulate people into feeling certain emotions (e.g., relief, trust) and getting them to do what you want. The author does warn that you need to be skilled to succeed at this or suffer the consequences.
March 31, 2010
Gregory and Maryann have three books on body language and all of them are FANTASTIC. I reviewed them here and this one I most definetly recommend.
January 1, 2025
تناول الموضوع بشكل مختلف عن كتب التعرف على لغة الجسد. بشكل أوسع ومن منظور آخر لم اتوقعه..
تحدث خبير لغة الجسد المؤلف جريجوري هارتلي، عن أهمية الجسد في تقديم المعلومات، وكيفية التعرف على لغته الخاصة، والتي لاتقل أهمية بل قد تفوق أحياناً اللغة المنطوقة.
ذكر المؤلف عدة أمور تمهيدية ينبغي معرفتها قبل الحكم على بعض الاشارات أو الايماءات التي يطلقها الجسد، وصحح عدة مفاهيم وأفكار منتشرة عن كثير من التصرفات الجسدية والتي قد لاتدل بالضرورة على ماهو منتشر ومتعارف عليه
ذكر أيضاً أن هناك الكثير من الأمور والمرجعيات أو كما يسميها (مرشحات) ك" الثقافة العامة أو الفرعية أو الخلفيات الدينية والعرقية وحتى الجنس" لها دور كبير في التأثير على النظرة أو الحكم على لغة الجسد
واستعرض في كتابه العديد من الأمثلة الواقعية التطبيقية كمقابلات شهيرة لعدد من النجوم والمشاهير
ولأن المؤلف عمل بخبرته في مجال التحقيقات والاستجواب، وخدم لعدد من المؤسسات الحكومية والعسكرية والإعلامية لبلاده، فإنه يحرّص بشكل متكرر أن المعلومات التي تتلقى من كتابه يجب أن يستفاد منها بصورة إيجابية، كفهم العلاقات وتقويتها، والنجاح في إجراء التفاوضات وكسبها، وليس بالاتجاه الخاطئ كالإضرار بالاخرين أو التلاعب بهم.
وينبه أيضا على أنه لايصح تعميم هذه الإرشادات والمعلومات وتطبيقها على الجميع، فلكل شخصية مفتاح نستطيع الولوج به لفهم لغة أجساد الآخرين واختيار الأسلوب الأمثل للتعامل معهم
من محتويات الكتاب:
-مراحل فهم حركات لغة جسد الآخرين، كالفحص والتقييم والتحليل واتخاذ القرار.
- تقسيم أفعال لغة الجسد: لفظي، غير لفظي(صوتي)، إشارات. ولكل منها دلالتها وطريقتها والوقت المناسب لاستعمالها.
- بعض المؤثرات والدوافع التي تدفع بالجسد لإحداث حركات لها دلالات معينة.
-أهمية معرفة الطابع العام للشخص، قبل وضعه في قنينة الاختبار الذهنية الخاصة بك.واعتبار السياق في النتيجة النهائية التي قد تتوصل إليها.
الكتاب مليء بالتفاصيل الرائعة لفهم الآخرين من خلال أجسادهم، وهو مختلف بطريقة مشوقة عن الكثير من كتب فهم لغة الجسد، خاصة في لفت النظر للتركيز على الأساسيات والمنطلقات والمنهجيات المتبعة أكثر من ذكر الحركات والإشارات الجسدية،كالوجه والجذع والأطراف وهيئات الجلوس والتحدث وغيرها، والتي لم يخل الكتاب ايضاً من الإشارة والحديث عنها بشيء من التفصيل.
تقييمي للكتاب: 4/5
تحدث خبير لغة الجسد المؤلف جريجوري هارتلي، عن أهمية الجسد في تقديم المعلومات، وكيفية التعرف على لغته الخاصة، والتي لاتقل أهمية بل قد تفوق أحياناً اللغة المنطوقة.
ذكر المؤلف عدة أمور تمهيدية ينبغي معرفتها قبل الحكم على بعض الاشارات أو الايماءات التي يطلقها الجسد، وصحح عدة مفاهيم وأفكار منتشرة عن كثير من التصرفات الجسدية والتي قد لاتدل بالضرورة على ماهو منتشر ومتعارف عليه
ذكر أيضاً أن هناك الكثير من الأمور والمرجعيات أو كما يسميها (مرشحات) ك" الثقافة العامة أو الفرعية أو الخلفيات الدينية والعرقية وحتى الجنس" لها دور كبير في التأثير على النظرة أو الحكم على لغة الجسد
واستعرض في كتابه العديد من الأمثلة الواقعية التطبيقية كمقابلات شهيرة لعدد من النجوم والمشاهير
ولأن المؤلف عمل بخبرته في مجال التحقيقات والاستجواب، وخدم لعدد من المؤسسات الحكومية والعسكرية والإعلامية لبلاده، فإنه يحرّص بشكل متكرر أن المعلومات التي تتلقى من كتابه يجب أن يستفاد منها بصورة إيجابية، كفهم العلاقات وتقويتها، والنجاح في إجراء التفاوضات وكسبها، وليس بالاتجاه الخاطئ كالإضرار بالاخرين أو التلاعب بهم.
وينبه أيضا على أنه لايصح تعميم هذه الإرشادات والمعلومات وتطبيقها على الجميع، فلكل شخصية مفتاح نستطيع الولوج به لفهم لغة أجساد الآخرين واختيار الأسلوب الأمثل للتعامل معهم
من محتويات الكتاب:
-مراحل فهم حركات لغة جسد الآخرين، كالفحص والتقييم والتحليل واتخاذ القرار.
- تقسيم أفعال لغة الجسد: لفظي، غير لفظي(صوتي)، إشارات. ولكل منها دلالتها وطريقتها والوقت المناسب لاستعمالها.
- بعض المؤثرات والدوافع التي تدفع بالجسد لإحداث حركات لها دلالات معينة.
-أهمية معرفة الطابع العام للشخص، قبل وضعه في قنينة الاختبار الذهنية الخاصة بك.واعتبار السياق في النتيجة النهائية التي قد تتوصل إليها.
الكتاب مليء بالتفاصيل الرائعة لفهم الآخرين من خلال أجسادهم، وهو مختلف بطريقة مشوقة عن الكثير من كتب فهم لغة الجسد، خاصة في لفت النظر للتركيز على الأساسيات والمنطلقات والمنهجيات المتبعة أكثر من ذكر الحركات والإشارات الجسدية،كالوجه والجذع والأطراف وهيئات الجلوس والتحدث وغيرها، والتي لم يخل الكتاب ايضاً من الإشارة والحديث عنها بشيء من التفصيل.
تقييمي للكتاب: 4/5
November 4, 2020
At the beginning of the book the emphasis is on cultural differences in body expression, then the book moves on to discuss the classification of body language - as in illustrators, adaptors, regulators and barriers, giving great insight into the reasons for, and ways in which each class is used, and then you will find a section where well known public exchanges between various politicians and celebrities are discussed in micro detail. Finally, the author examines ways we might use our new knowledge, offering us the insight of experience rather than the usual speculation. A lot of people reviewed this book citing the author's overuse of his past in the military and coming across as a boring old man, know-it-all, cocky. I didn't pick up on that as much as some of the passages had me thinking I had picked up the book I had previously read by him, and returned the other book by mistake, to the library. What happened was the author cut and pasted a ton of the old material, verbatim, into this newer book, so I was in fact re-reading what I had already learned. That's a no no in my opinion, and I suppose a stern look would convey my body language response. I am going to seek out a book that others find better by Allen Pease.
August 24, 2025
Sharpening a Natural Gift
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’ve always had this innate ability to pick up on what people aren’t saying—the unspoken stuff that lingers between the words. And honestly? My accuracy rate is 100%. No joke. Sometimes it feels like a gift, other times like a curse, but I wanted to lean into it more and see if I could sharpen the skill.
That’s what led me to I Can Read You Like a Book by Gary Hartley and Maryann Karinch. It didn’t disappoint. I definitely walked away with some fresh insights and practical ways to fine-tune how I interpret body language.
The timing was perfect too—I actually finished this book the very morning of an afternoon where reading body language was absolutely necessary. Let’s just say it paid off. A solid read if you’re looking to better understand the signals people are giving you without saying a word.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’ve always had this innate ability to pick up on what people aren’t saying—the unspoken stuff that lingers between the words. And honestly? My accuracy rate is 100%. No joke. Sometimes it feels like a gift, other times like a curse, but I wanted to lean into it more and see if I could sharpen the skill.
That’s what led me to I Can Read You Like a Book by Gary Hartley and Maryann Karinch. It didn’t disappoint. I definitely walked away with some fresh insights and practical ways to fine-tune how I interpret body language.
The timing was perfect too—I actually finished this book the very morning of an afternoon where reading body language was absolutely necessary. Let’s just say it paid off. A solid read if you’re looking to better understand the signals people are giving you without saying a word.
November 1, 2023
The READ technique is central to this book and worth learning. However, the authors address some lesser known areas of body language in depth. In particular, cultural, sub-cultural and micro-cultural communication and differences between men and women. The third chapter provides some useful and practical techniques to try out in real life situations. I listened to the Audible version and liked the way the two authors engaged in a style of dialogue as a way of getting points across..
October 18, 2020
If I could rate this book 4.5 stars, I would. I found it very interesting. Although the author (I have a feeling it was only one of the two authors) teetered back and forth in my judgement between arrogant and brilliant, this book raised ideas in ways I had never considered. I learned things from this book and for that reason, would recommend to a friend or even an acquaintance.
July 30, 2021
Decent book. I watch this author’s channel at times on YouTube and I feel like I’ve learned a lot of these items already from listening to him. I do not necessarily feel like an expert though. Far from it. I did notice when video chatting with a friend, how my face leaked feelings or data. That was disconcerting. Lol
April 16, 2024
The remark, "Phillies fans seem to boo with their whole bodies" made me set the book down and just give it a 5 without a further question asked.
I don't even like sports but the observation is true.
I don't even like sports but the observation is true.
November 5, 2018
Transpires you can't read people like books.
August 17, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. The author is down to earth, explains things in a straightforward manner, and I felt like the tips were actually helpful rather than academic and generalistic.
March 9, 2021
This book was ok. I didn’t really learn a whole lot. Lots of common sense type knowledge.
May 21, 2021
this book comprises of some tips and tricks which will help a person to understand what his mind is saying. It is an intriguing read and will help you to function better and impress people.
February 27, 2024
cloudLibrary part2 chap6 audiobook doesn’t function right at the important part. Need to buy the actual book to figure out:/
December 31, 2024
The back and forth audio was jarring but as ever, Greg Hartley is a great teacher, easy to attend.
March 25, 2025
This was an interesting book, though the presentation of the material was a little hurried.
March 29, 2008
People say a lot with their bodies. Most don't realize how much they say and how their body language can contradict or emphasize the things they say. This book does not list all the little gestures and stances that people do and tell you what they mean. It does tell you how to read people, how to observe, and how to analyze what you see. Very useful for those who want to learn more about how people communicate.
September 30, 2008
The author was obviously an expert in his field, however, not such a great author. While I found some of his examples to be interesting, I dont think he could really teach this subject in writing. He may be able to do an excellent training in person, but it was hard to really learn the subject matter through the book. I only read 2/3 of the book and gave up.
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