How to Win an Argument, 2nd Edition

Book Description

Proven techniques for getting your point across and winning arguments

If you've ever felt the frustration of losing an argument—even when you knew you were right—to someone more skilled in pressing their point (and your hot buttons), this book is for you. This practical, often amusing guide gives you the tools you need to make your point clearly in any disagreement, from a formal debate to a roaring shouting match. You'll find:

Strategies for identifying—and avoiding—the common traps your opponents may set for you
Sample arguments spotlighting current issues with notes that analyze both weak and strong techniques
Interactive quizzes that help reinforce your new skills and build confidence—"Insightful, instructive, and enjoyable to read."—Publishers Weekly

Customer Reviews:

Higher Paradigm Objective To The Argument.......2005-12-21

Good book for sophists! Doesn't matter what the subject is, or what is right and wrong, only the skill of debate is what wins. Sadly, this is what is popular today with the take over of the radical Neo-conservatives.

This book is a way to leave the argument itself and look at it from the outside. After analyzing it and recognizing objective patterns; as in circular reasoning; labeling; begging the questions with conclusions without details; or in using multiple principles; loosing the main topic; changing direction; basing reasons on the conclusion with circular reasoning; or using popularity as a reason.

In viewing your argument from the outside while maintaining subjectivity from within, is the best place to present your reasons. It's not necessarily going to change each person's side of the argument, but its going to clarify the reasons to the higher paradigms of each thinker, this to the point he or she is at. And from there each one can bring home their deeper reasons, bogus or valid.

Awesome book. Easy to read, very helpful.

Good book to keep and reread.......2005-12-13

This is an excellent book concerning not only arguing but understanding your own thinking as well. The arguing Gilbert talks about here isn't the throwing pots and pans type but the more genteel kind of convincing someone of the validity of your point. I like the book in that he offers several strategies for understanding what another person is saying and lists a dozen or so kinds of falacious arguments that are common. (I think my kids have pulled each one off on me...) He closes the book with several illustrative and annotated dramatized 'arguments' showing the skills in action. A good book. You'll never feel the same after watching the news...

an eye opener.......2005-07-04

This is a book that you can read through in a day, but most likely, you will go back and read it again and again as I have.

Very simple and to the point, it initially explains what an argument really is and puts the topic into perspective. With questions like "what are we arguing about?" and "why argue" answered and by identifying different types of arguments, the reader is equipped with a plan to avoid falling into dead-end arguments and getting sucked into agreement which he may later regret. It is truly a helpful guide in polishing your negotiating skills whether for buying a car or negotiating with your spouse.

I have used the techniques described within and was surprised with how simple but effective theese techniqes really are. Great book!

Great Intro to Argumentation.......2003-04-07

This is an excellent book on argumentation. It covers the basics, and for that some will inevitably criticize it, but how often do we find people who know all of the basics of a subject? The book covers interesting concepts like the subject change (non-sequitur) and the various fallacies used in arguments. It helped me to understand the concepts of "begging the question" and "false cause." The book provides good guidelines on conducting an argument, and provides hypothetical arguments to allow the reader to analyze them, so as to better grasp the concepts. The book is short and to the point, which is an advantage. It is an excellent intro to argumentation.

Very good introduction to'Argument/critical thinking'.......2001-07-30

SUMMARY:

- Informal, yet objective

- More useful from a perespective of executive decision making

- Less structured for GMAT aspirants (though may be a good introduction)

- A 'nice brief book' (around 200 pages)

DESCRIPTION:

This is the first book I am reading on argument/critical thinking and have completed about 80% of the book.

The book is an excellent intro to the subject. I liked the relatively short chapters and the crispness of each topic/theme. The author has managed to objectively introduce key concepts without resorting to heavy-duty theories in reasoning and critical thinking.

One caveat: This presentation is relatively informal - I like it this way. But each idea/chapter has been presented in a deceptively simple fashion. It will help to highlight, reread and discuss with another person to really imbibe the ideas.

I am a person who leans towards picture/sketches and examples; I would give this book a five-star if thus updated.

ravijag@yahoo.com.

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Has history been tampered with?.......2007-10-23

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RAZQNMXM4M9CL Has history been tampered with? Yes, it has! Did events and eras such as the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the Roman Empire , the Dark Ages, and the Renaissance, actually occur within a very different chronology from what we've been told? Yes, they certainly did!

The history of humankind is both drastically shorter and dramatically different than generally presumed.

Why is it so? On one hand, it was usual custom to justify the claims to title and land by age and ancestry, and on the other the court historians knew only too well how to please their masters. The so called universal classic world history is a pack of intricate lies for all events prior to the 16th century. World history as we learn it today was entirely fabricated in the 16th-18th centuries. It's likely that nobody told you before, but

there is not a single piece of firm written evidence or artefact that is reliably and independently dated prior to the 11th century.

Naturally, after what you've learned in school and university, you will not easily believe that the classical history of ancient Rome, Greece, Asia, Egypt, China, Japan, India, etc., is manifestly false.

You will point accusing finger to the pyramids in Egypt, to the Coliseum in Rome and Great Wall of China etc., and claim, aren't they really ancient, thousands of years ancient? Well, there is no valid scientific proof that they are older than 1000 years!

The oldest original written document that can be reliably dated belongs to the 11th century!

New research asserts that Homo sapiens invented writing (including hieroglyphics) only 1000 years ago. Once invented, writing skills were immediately and irreversibly put to the use of ruling powers and science.

The consensual chronology we live with was essentially crafted in the 16th century by the Jesuits.

The world history was compiled from contradictory mix of innumerable copies of ancient Latin and Greek manuscripts and other irrefutable proofs delivered by late mediaeval astronomers that were cemented by the authority of writings of the Church Fathers.

Early in life, we learn about ancient history. Children love the magical lessons of history - they are like fairy tales. Teachers recite breathtaking stories; very soon We learn by heart the names and deeds of brave warriors, wise philosophers, fabulous pharaohs, cunning high priests and greedy scribes.

We learn of gigantic pyramids and sinister castles, kings and queens, dukes and barons, powerful heroes and beautiful ladies, emaciated saints and low-life traitors.

Ancient history is based documents, manuscripts, printed books, paintings, monuments and artefacts - called primary sources.

The problem is that neither these ancient documents, nor events described therein can be irrefutably dated, moreover they contradict each other for the most part.

When a school textbook tells us that Genghis Khan in year X or Alexander in year Y, have each conquered half of the world, it means only that it is so said in some of the written sources.

There are no answers to simple questions:

When were these primary sources written?

Where and by whom were these sources found?

It is wrongly presumed that ancient and medieval chronicles, written by Genghis Khan's or Alexander the Great contemporaries and eyewitnesses, are readily available. Actually, only sources written hundreds or even thousands of years after the events are there, compiled mostly in the 16th 18th centuries, or even later.

As a rule, these sources suffered considerable multiple manipulations, falsifications and distortions by editing. At the same time,

innumerable originals of ancient documents under various pretexts were destroyed in Europe under various pretexts.

The names of persons and geographical sites often changed meaning and location during the course of the centuries.

Geographical locations became clearly defined on maps only with the advent of printing.

This made possible the circulation of identical copies of the same map for purposes of the military, navigation, education and governance tasks.

Historians from Oxford say: "hey, everybody knows that Julius Caesar lived in the first century B.C.

`Julius Caesar' statement is only a point of view as

there is simply no irrefutable documentary proof that Julius Caesar or any other great name of antiquity ever existed.

Better than that - extremely rare sources that can be reliably dated back to the 10th-14th centuries A D, do not show the polished picture of classical history.

They show a picture both contradictory and confusing.

All methods of dating of ancient sources and artefacts are erroneous:

Radio-carbon C14 method produces dating with exactitude of plus minus 1500 years, therefore it is too crude for dating of events in historical timeframe!

The Almagest tractate, which lies as corner stone contemporary chronology, compiled in the 2nd century A D by Ptolemy, the founding father of astronomy, contains astronomical data of 9th to 16th century!

The Bronze Age,that has supposedly began 5000 years ago. Bronze is made of 90% copper and 10% tin, but the technology for tin extraction dates back to 14th century A D!.

All eclipses contained in manuscripts, like Thucydides one, relating 'ancient' events have exclusively medieval dating. All horoscopes cut in stone or painted in Egyptian temples, like Dendera have exclusively early medieval dating solutions.

Not quite what you have learned in school? Open your eyes, and, you will find sufficient proof to reach step by step the inevitable conclusion that the classical chronology is false and therefore, that the history of ancient and medieval world universally accepted today, is also false. Have a fresh outlook on everything said or printed about "ancient" and "enigmatic" Roman, Greek and Egyptian, medieval as well as all other "lost and found" civilizations.

Antiquity and Dark Ages are phantoms invented in the 16th 18th and polished in 19th 20thcenturies. Human civilization is in fact barely 1000 years old!

This book will change your perception of History forever!
What if Ancient Rome, Greece and Egypt were invented during Renaissance?
What if The Old Testament was a rendition of events of the Middle Ages?
What if Jesus Christ was born in 1053 and crucified in 1086 AD?
Sounds Unbelievable?
Not after you've read "History: Fiction or Science?" by Anatoly Fomenko, the genius mathematician.
Armed with astronomy and computers Anatoly Fomenko turns History into a rocket science.

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

Live & Work in Scotland, 2nd (Live & Work - Vacation Work Publications)

Average customer rating:

Good read

Live & Work in Scotland, 2nd (Live & Work - Vacation Work Publications)
Nicola Taylor
Manufacturer: Vacation Work Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Job Hunting | Job Hunting & Careers | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Travel | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1854583344

Book Description

A unique book covering the possibilities of living and working in Scotland from the Borders and the great cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow to the Highlands and Islands.

Customer Reviews:

Good read.......2007-01-10

Very comprehensive guide to relocating to Scotland. It is disappointing that it is so hard to get into the U.K. to work and experience a different kind of life - unless you are highly educated, sponsored by a company that wants to hire you, or rich. It is still a good read, and the writing is very easy to follow.

From Public Streets to Private Lives: The Changing Task of Social Work

Average customer rating:

From Public Streets to Private Lives: The Changing Task of Social Work
Viviene E. Cree
Manufacturer: Avebury
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Scotland | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

Social Work | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Dysfunctional Relationships | Family Relationships | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
Accessories:

Braun IRT 4020 ThermoScan Ear Thermometer

ASIN: 1856288471

Average customer rating:

Live and Work in Scotland

Manufacturer: VACATION WORK
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GSG4RE

The Works of Samuel Johnson Comprising the Lives of the English Poets; Rasselas; and Lives of Eminent Persons and A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland

Average customer rating:

The Works of Samuel Johnson Comprising the Lives of the English Poets; Rasselas; and Lives of Eminent Persons and A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland
Samuel Johnson
Manufacturer: William P Nimmo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000M030ZK

The Works of Samuel Johnson, LL.D., Comprising the lives of the English Poets; Rasselas; Lives of Eminent Persons; and a Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland

Average customer rating:

The Works of Samuel Johnson, LL.D., Comprising the lives of the English Poets; Rasselas; Lives of Eminent Persons; and a Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland
Arthur (introduction) Murphy
Manufacturer: W. P. Nimmo. Hay & Mitchell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Leather Bound
ASIN: B000X69IKY

Book Description

An easy-to-follow, multi-step program for setting new financial goals and getting on course to achieve those goals.

Book Description

The inside story of how a small band of agitators at Microsoft staged the stunning turnaround that transformed the company from an Internet laggard into such a dominant force that it was declared a monopolist.

1993. When Bill Gates peered into Microsoft's crystal ball, he saw a world of Windows. Then the Internet burst onto the scene, and suddenly Gates's Windows-oriented future didn't look so bright. The Internet was the future of computing--and the world's largest software company wasn't ready for it. In How the Web Was Won, veteran Seattle Times journalist Paul Andrews chronicles the explosive drama and high-stakes gamesmanship behind the most remarkable business turnaround of the 1990s: the story of Microsoft's turbulent journey from Windows to the Web--and of the handful of Internet believers who led the charge.

Customer Reviews:

Overall, pretty brutal.......2001-08-26

This book could have been written by Microsoft's PR group, since it so blatantly paints them as innocent coders just trying to better the world and makes no attempt to balance that position by exploring any dissenting opinions. The first few chapters are relatively interesting, covering some of the early internal development that's not widely covered elsewhere, but as soon as he gets near the antitrust stuff, Andrews is so pro-Microsoft that it's tough to believe what he's saying.

How the Interviews Were Won: Sucking up.......2001-08-17

Bill Gates will like this book. It casts him in a very favourable light. Andrews is consistent - in any issues of argument between Microsoft and its competitors, be they Sun, AOL, Netscape, or a host of other companies, Microsoft is the benevolent company that only wants to do well and the competitors are out to get this well-intentioned, if lumbering, giant.

This book is biased. But such bias is inherent in the format of the work - an insider expose of the history of Microsoft. It is the breadth and depth of information that the author was able to gain for access to internal Microsoft emails and interviews with relevant parties that makes the book the interesting page-turner that it is. That is both the book's biggest weakness and it's greatest strength.

"How the Web Was Won" is filled with Internet Explorer icons. Everything from the cover to the chapter heading are decorated in the (in)famous blue 'e'. When reading this book one would expect that more of it would focus on the actual development of the browser. Instead, the development of the browser is relegated to a single chapter and the remainder of the book is a combination of armchair strategy analysis and a recount of previously published information relating to the so-called "Browser Wars".

Don't look to this book for an independent look at the browser wars. Don't look to this book for a view from the front lines of browser development. This is yet another history of Microsoft from the DOS days to the latest .NET initiative, all coloured by the lens of looking at all developments from the perspective of the internet.

I take notes when I read a book. Based on my notes, this is what I learned from this work:

* Recent events in technology have moved from technology being driven by war to more peaceful societal pursuits - Lockheed Martin vs. Microsoft * IBM failed on the desktop because its software design process was rigid - and that was necessary for "five 9s" reliability on servers

However, they didn't change to the desktop which needed innovation and iteration at the expense of reliability

Microsoft succeeded in supplanting IBM because it used fast iterations on its products to get shipping code at the expense of perfect code.

Microsoft has failed in moving from the desktop to the server-side internet where greater reliability (security, virus-protection) is needed at the expense of features

* NAFTA's chapt.11 charges that Canada Post can't use government-subsidised revenue to finance a business that competes with a private enterprise

Microsoft used Windows money in the browser fight against Netscape

These are my thoughts on this interesting and personable recount of already published information.

Engrossing and Informative.......2000-11-28

You've all heard of Billionaire Bill Gates and the Merry Men of Microsoft. The story, in light of the recent antitrust ruling, is a good bit of modern history. Although a little too heavy on the biographies of the players, the narraive is well paced and seemingly objective. This book is for all who are using Windows, those who hate it, and wonder all about the Redmond, Washington company and what goes on behind its walls. The story is basically that of Microsoft and how it was about to write off the Internet until it was forced to work with it- and did it so well that the Feds came in (and other companies) want to put a stop to it. Really, this book is well written and entertaining for all those who, like me, want to keep up with the history of this seemingly overnight phenomenon known as the Internet.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books