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The Joy of Argument: 91 Ways to Get More of What You Want, and Less of What You Don’t
There are things in life you want but will never get, unless you learn how to argue for them. And there are things in life you don't want, but you'll get them anyway, if you let others persuade you with weak arguments. Here you will learn how to get more of what you want, and less of what you don't. You'll learn The Joy of Argument.
207 pages, Paperback
Published October 9, 2015
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1473 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 21, 2016
I didn't expect to enjoy reading this, I did expect to gain some knowledge out of it. The writing was so well done that I found myself looking forward to the brief chapters of simple steps to take to strengthen your position in an argument and gain confidence. Brief chapters, what a great thing, quick to the point and useful in a busy life. The author didn't waist time, each suggestion was clearly stated and easy to practice.
Listening, such a simple thing to do and yet nobody does it, not really. Everyone has their own agendas usually going on in their heads. I agree 100% with the author take on the importance of good listening and all that you gain from it. For me this is what the most important step was in winning arguments. If you listen, you can learn so much. This is also the hardest thing to do, we are all preparing to defend a point, interrupt, or even thinking about a personal matter instead of completely focusing and absorbing the details from the speaker.
There are many more steps, all easy and exciting to learn and use. If I really want something, feel I deserve it, I will fight for it, with confidence. I loved learning the steps from this well written book. I thank the author for giving me this tool.
Listening, such a simple thing to do and yet nobody does it, not really. Everyone has their own agendas usually going on in their heads. I agree 100% with the author take on the importance of good listening and all that you gain from it. For me this is what the most important step was in winning arguments. If you listen, you can learn so much. This is also the hardest thing to do, we are all preparing to defend a point, interrupt, or even thinking about a personal matter instead of completely focusing and absorbing the details from the speaker.
There are many more steps, all easy and exciting to learn and use. If I really want something, feel I deserve it, I will fight for it, with confidence. I loved learning the steps from this well written book. I thank the author for giving me this tool.
February 29, 2016
The joy of winning an argument may be fleeting, but it can be ever so satisfying. So states author Albert Navarra in his excellent and inspirational book The Joy of Argument: 91 Ways to Get More of What You Want, and Less of What You Don't.
Navarra goes on to assert that "there are things in life you want, but will never get unless you learn to argue for them." Then, he goes on: "There are as many reasons to argue as there are reasons to live."
Strong advice for a civilized age in which a high premium has always been placed on "getting along" with one's fellow man. Some folks even argue that we should avoid the sort of conflict the author so gleefully espouses.
It's worth it, however, Navarra says. Especially when you're adequately prepared. First, he asserts, you should clarify the main point of the argument. "What exactly are you arguing about? What's the issue?" Then, more accurately: "What do you want to accomplish?" If you go on to list the main points of your position, you'll stand a much better chance of walking away a winner.
Many of Navarra's assertions seem deceptively like common sense, boiled down to a ruthless methodology. But the fact remains: unless you want to go through life as a lackadaisical loser, you'd better pay close attention to his tips.
Case in point: "Arguing without listening is like flying without seeing," he says. "Listening shows the other person you are open-minded, sincere, compassionate, helpful and trustworthy -- even if you're not!" The key, according to the author: "Careful listening will reveal where you need to go in your argument."
Still later, Navarra opines that one exception to arguing is on the subject of faith. "After all," he says, "what is there to argue about? You either believe it or you don't. You can't argue about facts, evidence, or reasoning because faith isn't based on any of these things." In short, his advice on matters of faith: "Let it be."
Finally, the author advises against insulting anyone in an argument. Insults, he adds, are "very common" in weak arguments. They are, after all, "beside the point,' he concludes.
Hmm. Wonder if Donald J. Trump shares that opinion?
Pick up a copy of this book today and start winning arguments tomorrow. I give it five-plus stars.
Navarra goes on to assert that "there are things in life you want, but will never get unless you learn to argue for them." Then, he goes on: "There are as many reasons to argue as there are reasons to live."
Strong advice for a civilized age in which a high premium has always been placed on "getting along" with one's fellow man. Some folks even argue that we should avoid the sort of conflict the author so gleefully espouses.
It's worth it, however, Navarra says. Especially when you're adequately prepared. First, he asserts, you should clarify the main point of the argument. "What exactly are you arguing about? What's the issue?" Then, more accurately: "What do you want to accomplish?" If you go on to list the main points of your position, you'll stand a much better chance of walking away a winner.
Many of Navarra's assertions seem deceptively like common sense, boiled down to a ruthless methodology. But the fact remains: unless you want to go through life as a lackadaisical loser, you'd better pay close attention to his tips.
Case in point: "Arguing without listening is like flying without seeing," he says. "Listening shows the other person you are open-minded, sincere, compassionate, helpful and trustworthy -- even if you're not!" The key, according to the author: "Careful listening will reveal where you need to go in your argument."
Still later, Navarra opines that one exception to arguing is on the subject of faith. "After all," he says, "what is there to argue about? You either believe it or you don't. You can't argue about facts, evidence, or reasoning because faith isn't based on any of these things." In short, his advice on matters of faith: "Let it be."
Finally, the author advises against insulting anyone in an argument. Insults, he adds, are "very common" in weak arguments. They are, after all, "beside the point,' he concludes.
Hmm. Wonder if Donald J. Trump shares that opinion?
Pick up a copy of this book today and start winning arguments tomorrow. I give it five-plus stars.
August 7, 2016
I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley.
I'm posting this review several months after having read the book, so I've forgotten the specifics, but I do remember why I felt so strongly about it.
When I picked up The Joy of Argument, I thought I'd be reading something that both illustrated the benefits of excellent argument and laid out a road map for winning debates. While The Joy of Argument does meet the latter expectation, Albert Navarra's writing is so insultingly facile that I did not enjoy the book at all. Besides that, most of the tips and hints he discusses are common sense: be an engaged listener, have information on hand about what you're arguing, don't be fooled by your opponents appearance. For those who have absolutely no debate experience, this book might provide helpful insight, but for those who have been arguing for years, The Joy of Argument is a waste of time.
I'm posting this review several months after having read the book, so I've forgotten the specifics, but I do remember why I felt so strongly about it.
When I picked up The Joy of Argument, I thought I'd be reading something that both illustrated the benefits of excellent argument and laid out a road map for winning debates. While The Joy of Argument does meet the latter expectation, Albert Navarra's writing is so insultingly facile that I did not enjoy the book at all. Besides that, most of the tips and hints he discusses are common sense: be an engaged listener, have information on hand about what you're arguing, don't be fooled by your opponents appearance. For those who have absolutely no debate experience, this book might provide helpful insight, but for those who have been arguing for years, The Joy of Argument is a waste of time.
April 29, 2017
Thank you to Emily for entering The Joy of Argument as a Goodreads Giveaway. I just won this book the other day and I am so looking forward to receiving it!
03/24/17 - I just received my book. It was misdelivered to someone else's mailbox! I plan to start reading it this weekend.
03/24/17 - I just received my book. It was misdelivered to someone else's mailbox! I plan to start reading it this weekend.
February 4, 2016
I read the book and will keep for reference when needed. Well written.
August 7, 2017
A book we can all learn from, set in an easy to follow manner that opened my eyes to how an argument can lead to an amicable conclusion. I would recommend that this book be added to everyone's reading list from Junior High school and above. This book has found a permanent place along side my dog eared Webster's Dictionary for ease of access.
It made some sense to me that a lawyer whom I could say has probably some insight into the workings better than others from say a culinary education about how to work a reasonable argument better than others to write about arguing but then that would fall under the generalization argument. When I have grasped some fundamental knowledge from a book I feel the author has done their job exceedingly well and this book has done just that.
It made some sense to me that a lawyer whom I could say has probably some insight into the workings better than others from say a culinary education about how to work a reasonable argument better than others to write about arguing but then that would fall under the generalization argument. When I have grasped some fundamental knowledge from a book I feel the author has done their job exceedingly well and this book has done just that.
June 21, 2017
Albert Navarro’s The Joy of Argument provides instructional advice on when to and when not to argue and tips for developing a winning argument. The chapters were short and concise, keeping a very readable self help format. Many suggestions were common sense (avoid hot-button words, listen, keep it information based not emotional) but they were all things that all too often are forgotten in the middle of an argument. I would recommend this book to people lacking communication skills or who are highly emotional who may not always take the time to think about how they speak with others.
October 25, 2023
Let’s be honest. Some people are way better at talking their way into getting what they want than others. You either have the gift or you don’t. This is a great read by Albert Navarra who aims to teach the reader to argue their way into persuading others and even yourself.
I think this is a great example of how important it is to fight for what you really want and the author gives you the tools to do just that.
I think this is a great example of how important it is to fight for what you really want and the author gives you the tools to do just that.
July 26, 2023
So insightful and timeless.
The Joy of Argument is a very valuable books which give us important lessons on how to get out there and go for our goals.
This book guides you into being who you really are and not who you have been lead to believe you are.
It's motivating and full of examples and lessons.
The Joy of Argument is a very valuable books which give us important lessons on how to get out there and go for our goals.
This book guides you into being who you really are and not who you have been lead to believe you are.
It's motivating and full of examples and lessons.
February 10, 2021
The Joy of Argument offers simple advice that will help you become better at communication. It's straightforward and an easy read, but the tips that Navarra offers are applicable across different areas of life (personal, professional, etc.). This could be a fantastic class read for a debate team.
July 7, 2018
A little gem
I got out of this book than I intended. Has an abundant of good points that will really aid in bolstering one's art of argument.
I got out of this book than I intended. Has an abundant of good points that will really aid in bolstering one's art of argument.
August 9, 2023
Truly a great book that really makes you take a look within and ask your self,"am I holding myself back?". I loved the pages for notes and truly enjoyed getting to know myself on a deeper level.
March 13, 2016
I didn’t really like the format of this book, how it was broken up into small sections, each of which was an argument. I suppose that makes each argument succinct and focuses on small ways to make your personal arguments stronger, but if felt too choppy and broken up. I prefer more cohesive formats, that discuss how each topic plays into the next.
At first I took some offense to what Navaara was saying about how people shouldn’t just use “racist” even if a person is racist, but I recognize what he was intending about not using provocative language. Somebody may very well be racist, and using racist language or basis of thought, but using the word racist shuts people down. Racist is a word I tend to use when I am tired of trying to explain to people over and over how systems promote institutional racism, how micro-aggressions work, and why language choice plays into racism. It’s an easy argument, but it has become, as Navaara explains later on, a hot-button word that provokes and angry and hurt response. You don’t want to listen to someone tell you that you are a word with negative connotations. Instead of opening up a discussion about why word choice is so important to create an inclusive society that reduces institutional racism rather than perpetuating the problem, that individual feels like it is a personal attack. They feel like you’ve condemned them and there is no hope for their future.
Navaara stresses that in order to make a good argument, we have to avoid making any argument personal. He also argues that emotions alone are not valid in place of facts, and that it’s important to acknowledge whether our argument comes from a place of emotion or a place of facts.
There are lots of good tips in there about how to probe people to see if they are open to discussion or if they are operating from a closed perspective. Although I don’t agree with all of his language choice, this is a lot of what we talk about in Social Work classes. If someone makes an argument such as (to use a line from the book), “‘Homosexuality should be illegal because it is unnatural;’ replace the key term ‘homosexuality’ with something the other person accepts should be legal, like anesthesia. ‘So would you argue that anesthesia should be illegal because it also is unnatural?'” Flipping phrases in this way allows other people to actually hear their own argument, hear what they are saying in a new way that can hopefully show them that they are not basing their argument on facts.
Overall I felt there was a lot of merit to this book. Navaara certainly knows a lot about crafting arguments, and I found many sections to be beneficial to slowing down my own arguments and thinking about how I am arguing. I would definitely recommend this book to people who don’t often take the time to think about how they talk with other people.
At first I took some offense to what Navaara was saying about how people shouldn’t just use “racist” even if a person is racist, but I recognize what he was intending about not using provocative language. Somebody may very well be racist, and using racist language or basis of thought, but using the word racist shuts people down. Racist is a word I tend to use when I am tired of trying to explain to people over and over how systems promote institutional racism, how micro-aggressions work, and why language choice plays into racism. It’s an easy argument, but it has become, as Navaara explains later on, a hot-button word that provokes and angry and hurt response. You don’t want to listen to someone tell you that you are a word with negative connotations. Instead of opening up a discussion about why word choice is so important to create an inclusive society that reduces institutional racism rather than perpetuating the problem, that individual feels like it is a personal attack. They feel like you’ve condemned them and there is no hope for their future.
Navaara stresses that in order to make a good argument, we have to avoid making any argument personal. He also argues that emotions alone are not valid in place of facts, and that it’s important to acknowledge whether our argument comes from a place of emotion or a place of facts.
There are lots of good tips in there about how to probe people to see if they are open to discussion or if they are operating from a closed perspective. Although I don’t agree with all of his language choice, this is a lot of what we talk about in Social Work classes. If someone makes an argument such as (to use a line from the book), “‘Homosexuality should be illegal because it is unnatural;’ replace the key term ‘homosexuality’ with something the other person accepts should be legal, like anesthesia. ‘So would you argue that anesthesia should be illegal because it also is unnatural?'” Flipping phrases in this way allows other people to actually hear their own argument, hear what they are saying in a new way that can hopefully show them that they are not basing their argument on facts.
Overall I felt there was a lot of merit to this book. Navaara certainly knows a lot about crafting arguments, and I found many sections to be beneficial to slowing down my own arguments and thinking about how I am arguing. I would definitely recommend this book to people who don’t often take the time to think about how they talk with other people.
August 1, 2017
This is just the book to reach for when you're heated and in need of a reminder! As you read this book, mark some of these pages that apply to your situation. Maybe your usual route of an argument, leads you to a fight, instead of a healthy argument. Mark the pages that will help you re-route your approach or re-route to a healthier path.
A very helpful book!
A very helpful book!
Want to read
November 2, 2016I have not received the book yet.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews