Alan Alda

I first heard about this book at a conference where we did improv exercises as a way to foster collaboration. I admit, I hadn't realized who the author was until I actually looked up the book. So I walked into it from a professional point of view as opposed to a popular fan point of view.

I loved this so much. Alda has a conversational way of writing that is engaging and easy to read. He showcases the exact things he is talking about by using prolific stories to make his point and using the show more storytelling arc over the entire book. He talks a lot about empathy - which I really appreciated as it's something I've been saying is vital to good communication my entire career but I hadn't felt like other people really got it the same way. So maybe part of the five star rating is just me finally feeling vindicated.

I had been asked to give a training last week on communication and I had already planned to incorporate improv exercises into it before reading Alda's book. But this book cemented that. And I saw first hand how improv helped my group actualize the communication principles I had just taught them, while making them laugh and have fun. show less

Note: this review is of the Random House Audio edition (2005), narrated by the author.

The only thing preventing me giving a full five stars to this edition of Alan Alda's excellent memoir is that the audio is abridged. The abridgement cannot be easily discerned, but I would still have loved to hear a complete, unabridged edition. Hearing him narrate his own words is a treat: he comes across as a warm, witty, interested and interesting man. He spends a fair bit of time on M*A*S*H but also show more dedicates time to his post-M*A*S*H projects, particularly his time as host of Scientific American Frontiers, and goes back to his childhood as well, exploring his relationships with his parents in a reflective, honest manner. I would definitely recommend getting a hold of this if you're a fan of M*A*S*H's leading man, with the understanding that you're getting more than that show. show less

Alan Alda is a joy to listen to and he's a good writer. This book, despite its fun title, is a serious tome-focused on getting across how important it is to communicate clearly and effectively. Examples are cited, and exercises and games are detailed to help you do exactly that.

Focusing on the other person in a conversation, (not just waiting for your turn to speak), and noting their facial expressions and body language are key. According to Alda, if you are not willing to be changed by a show more person/conversation then you are NOT really open and listening.

It turns out that empathy is really important in effective communication. One of the exercises in this book mentions watching a person's face during a conversation and specifically noting and NAMING, (silently), the emotions you see on their face. This will sometimes tell you what they are going to say or do next. It tells you if they're understanding what you're saying, or if instead they are bored or confused. At times and with practice, it will sometimes seem to people that you can read minds, but what you're really doing is truly LISTENING.

Because Alan Alda has such a warm, comfortable style I learned a lot from what in less capable hands could have been a very boring book. It also might be due to the fact that Alda is an extremely effective communicator. I have already started to put some of these games and exercises into practice and I believe they have already helped me in certain areas of my life. If you are open, (read: WILLING TO BE CHANGED), then I highly recommend this book!

*I borrowed this audiobook from my awesome public library. Libraries RULE!* show less

I listened to this book as an audiobook, so I had the added treat of hearing Alan Alda himself narrate his experiences with communication and science. This book is really a teaser or an extended argument for the need of better communication in general and better communication of science and technical expertise in particular. Alda presents an overview of much of the research done on communication, with a focus how acting techniques like improvisation can enhance communication, and merges that show more with his personal interest in seeing scientists better convey their research. Overall, I found the book fascinating and as someone who often works with academic literature, I'm heartened to know that someone is tackling the issue of helping experts communicate their ideas in less technical language. show less