Looking for the best communication books ever written? You’re in the right place!
Have you ever wondered how some people can start a conversation with anyone? Or connect with people instantly? Or make such powerful first impressions?
Have you ever wanted to feel more at ease during social and networking events? Or communicate with confidence and charisma? Or even just get better at negotiating the thousands of micro-transactions that make up our day-to-day lives?
Well, guess what? You’re not alone.
In fact, it’s estimated that an incredible 15 million adults in the US alone suffer from Social Anxiety Disorder. And that number’s even higher for teenagers.
And that doesn’t include the majority of us who’d just welcome a bit more courage in a room full of strangers. Or whose lives would instantly improve if we were even a bit better at winning friends and influencing people at home, at school and at work.
Anyone (And Everyone) Can Communicate Better.
But if you’re here, there’s a good chance I don’t need to impress how important social and communication skills are in almost every moment and every part of our lives.
The good news? Talking so people will listen (and listening so people will talk) is a skill. One you can greatly improve.
Whether you’re looking for the best books on social skills, the best interpersonal skills books or the best books on communication ever published; whether you’re looking to relieve social anxiety, become a more social person or simply get better at networking or sales – you’ll find a book on this list that will help.
How do I know? Because I’ve scoured every inch of my own reading lists, other people’s recommendations and the internet to create the most comprehensive and high-quality collection of books on improving your social and communication skills on the web.
So without further ado, here they are… the best communication books ever written.
P.s., If you enjoy this list, you may also like some of TAoL‘s other book recommendations including the best books on emotional intelligence, the best books on relationships, the best books on mindset and even this list of the best books about acting. Check them out!
The 70 Best Communication Books Ever Written
Why these books and not others? The best books on communication below are the top picks from my master database, ranked by a combination of Goodreads rating, the number of Goodreads reviews and first publication date. The goal is to give a good balance of what’s most loved, what’s most popular and what’s delivered timelessly relevant advice.
Think something’s missing? Leave a comment or email me and I’ll add it to the next round of updates. I honestly love hearing from you so please, do get in touch!
- How to Win Friends and Influence People (1936), Dale Carnegie (FREE Summary)
The classic guide to greatly improving effectiveness and efficiency by mastering the ability to work with and through the people around you – by self-improvement guru, Dale Carnegie.
288 pages. Rated 4.2 over 580,200 reviews on Goodreads. - Influence (1984), Robert B. Cialdini (Summary)
The Psychology of Persuasion
320 pages. Rated 4.2 over 95,800 reviews on Goodreads. - How to Have Confidence and Power in Dealing with People (1956), Les Giblin
192 pages. Rated 4.3 over 10,700 reviews on Goodreads. - Boundaries (1992), Henry Cloud (Summary)
When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life
314 pages. Rated 4.2 over 49,400 reviews on Goodreads. - The 48 Laws of Power (1998), Robert Greene (FREE Summary)
The ultimate guide to sociopathy gaining and defending against ultimate control – by author and your nearest dictator’s favourite leadership coach, Robert Greene.
452 pages. Rated 4.2 over 73,500 reviews on Goodreads. - How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk (1996), Adele Faber (Summary)
286 pages. Rated 4.3 over 21,800 reviews on Goodreads. - Personality Plus (1983), Florence Littauer
How to Understand Others by Understanding Yourself
208 pages. Rated 4.2 over 9,100 reviews on Goodreads. - Nonviolent Communication (1999), Marshall B. Rosenberg (Summary)
A Language of Life
220 pages. Rated 4.4 over 17,700 reviews on Goodreads. - Emotional Intelligence (1995), Daniel Goleman (Summary)
Why It Can Matter More Than IQ
384 pages. Rated 4.0 over 79,200 reviews on Goodreads. - Getting to Yes (1981), Roger Fisher (Summary)
Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In
224 pages. Rated 3.9 over 58,800 reviews on Goodreads. - Skill with People (1965), Les Giblin
44 pages. Rated 4.3 over 1,500 reviews on Goodreads. - Emily Post’s Etiquette (1922), Peggy Post
896 pages. Rated 4.2 over 2,300 reviews on Goodreads. - Difficult Conversations (1999), Douglas Stone (Summary)
How to Discuss What Matters Most
250 pages. Rated 4.1 over 11,700 reviews on Goodreads. - Crucial Conversations (2001), Kerry Patterson (Summary)
Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High
240 pages. Rated 4.0 over 48,700 reviews on Goodreads. - The Go-Giver (2007), Bob Burg (Summary)
A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea
133 pages. Rated 4.4 over 14,800 reviews on Goodreads. - The 33 Strategies of War (2005), Robert Greene
496 pages. Rated 4.3 over 10,200 reviews on Goodreads. - Secrets of Power Negotiating (1988), Roger Dawson (Summary)
Inside Secrets from a Master Negotiator
319 pages. Rated 4.2 over 2,000 reviews on Goodreads. - Games People Play (1964), Eric Berne (Summary)
192 pages. Rated 3.8 over 26,700 reviews on Goodreads. - Start with Why (2009), Simon Sinek (Summary)
How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action
256 pages. Rated 4.1 over 112,100 reviews on Goodreads. - It’s Your Ship (2002), D. Michael Abrashoff
Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy
212 pages. Rated 4.1 over 6,200 reviews on Goodreads. - Winning with People (2005), John C. Maxwell
Discover the People Principles That Work for You Every Time
304 pages. Rated 4.3 over 6,100 reviews on Goodreads. - The Art of Rhetoric (-322), Aristotle
304 pages. Rated 3.9 over 4,400 reviews on Goodreads. - People Skills (1979), Robert Bolton
384 pages. Rated 4.0 over 1,400 reviews on Goodreads. - Never Split the Difference (2016), Chris Voss (Summary)
Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It
274 pages. Rated 4.4 over 50,800 reviews on Goodreads. - The Definitive Book of Body Language (2004), Allan Pease
400 pages. Rated 4.0 over 22,000 reviews on Goodreads. - Quiet (2012), Susan Cain (Summary)
The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking
333 pages. Rated 4.1 over 312,200 reviews on Goodreads. - Emotional Intelligence 2.0 (2003), Travis Bradberry (Summary)
255 pages. Rated 3.8 over 70,200 reviews on Goodreads. - The Speed of Trust (2006), Stephen M.R. Covey (Summary)
The One Thing that Changes Everything
384 pages. Rated 4.0 over 19,300 reviews on Goodreads. - Just Listen (2009), Mark Goulston (Summary)
Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone
234 pages. Rated 4.1 over 6,400 reviews on Goodreads. - Fierce Conversations (2002), Susan Scott
Achieving Success at Work and in Life One Conversation at a Time
336 pages. Rated 4.0 over 4,400 reviews on Goodreads. - How to Talk to Anyone (1999), Leil Lowndes (Summary)
92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships
345 pages. Rated 3.8 over 19,600 reviews on Goodreads. - Influencer (2007), Kerry Patterson (Summary)
The Power to Change Anything
299 pages. Rated 4.0 over 12,200 reviews on Goodreads. - Give and Take (2013), Adam M. Grant (Summary)
A Revolutionary Approach to Success
320 pages. Rated 4.1 over 22,600 reviews on Goodreads. - How To Say It (1990), Rosalie Maggio
512 pages. Rated 4.1 over 300 reviews on Goodreads. - Bringing Out the Best in People (1993), Aubrey C. Daniels
245 pages. Rated 4.1 over 600 reviews on Goodreads. - Everybody’s Normal Till You Get to Know Them (2003), John Ortberg
256 pages. Rated 4.1 over 1,900 reviews on Goodreads. - Never Eat Alone (2005), Keith Ferrazzi (Summary)
And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time
309 pages. Rated 3.9 over 40,500 reviews on Goodreads. - Verbal Judo (1983), George J. Thompson (Summary)
The Gentle Art of Persuasion
222 pages. Rated 3.8 over 3,500 reviews on Goodreads. - Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty (1997), Harvey MacKay
The Only Networking Book You’ll Ever Need
336 pages. Rated 4.0 over 1,400 reviews on Goodreads. - What Every Body is Saying (2008), Joe Navarro (Summary)
An Ex-FBI Agent’s Guide to Speed-Reading People
250 pages. Rated 3.9 over 20,200 reviews on Goodreads. - Conversationally Speaking (1980), Alan Garner
Tested New Ways to Increase Your Personal and Social Effectiveness
224 pages. Rated 3.9 over 600 reviews on Goodreads. - How to Speak How to Listen (1983), Mortimer J. Adler
288 pages. Rated 3.9 over 700 reviews on Goodreads. - How to Make People Like You in 90 Seconds or Less (1999), Nicholas Boothman (Summary)
160 pages. Rated 3.7 over 5,100 reviews on Goodreads. - The Charisma Myth (2012), Olivia Fox Cabane (Summary)
How Anyone Can Master the Art and Science of Personal Magnetism
264 pages. Rated 4.0 over 12,400 reviews on Goodreads. - The No Asshole Rule (2000), Robert I. Sutton (Summary)
Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn’t
210 pages. Rated 3.6 over 6,700 reviews on Goodreads. - The One Sentence Persuasion Course (2012), Blair Warren
27 Words to Make the World Do Your Bidding
34 pages. Rated 4.4 over 600 reviews on Goodreads. - Little Black Book of Connections (2006), Jeffrey Gitomer
6.5 Assets for Networking Your Way to Rich Relationships
204 pages. Rated 4.0 over 1,500 reviews on Goodreads. - The 3rd Alternative (2011), Stephen R. Covey
Solving Life’s Most Difficult Problems
456 pages. Rated 4.1 over 1,200 reviews on Goodreads. - Pre-Suasion (2016), Robert B. Cialdini (Summary)
A Revolutionary Way to Influence and Persuade
432 pages. Rated 4.1 over 5,500 reviews on Goodreads. - Captivate (2017), Vanessa Van Edwards (Summary)
The Science of Succeeding with People
320 pages. Rated 4.2 over 3,100 reviews on Goodreads. - Dealing with People You Can’t Stand (1994), Rick Brinkman
How to Bring Out the Best in People at Their Worst
226 pages. Rated 3.7 over 1,400 reviews on Goodreads. - I Hear You (2017), Michael S. Sorensen
The Surprisingly Simple Skill Behind Extraordinary Relationships
149 pages. Rated 4.1 over 3,000 reviews on Goodreads. - The Fine Art of Small Talk (1997), Debra Fine (Summary)
How To Start a Conversation, Keep It Going, Build Networking Skills — and Leave a Positive Impression!
224 pages. Rated 3.4 over 2,900 reviews on Goodreads. - The Power of Persuasion (2003), Robert V. Levine
How We’re Bought and Sold
278 pages. Rated 3.9 over 400 reviews on Goodreads. - Spy the Lie (2012), Philip Houston (Summary)
Three Former CIA Officers Reveal Their Secrets to Uncloaking Deception
288 pages. Rated 3.9 over 4,700 reviews on Goodreads. - Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships (2004), Temple Grandin
Decoding Social Mysteries Through Autism’s Unique Perspectives
425 pages. Rated 3.9 over 700 reviews on Goodreads. - Enchantment (2011), Guy Kawasaki (Summary)
The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds, and Actions
240 pages. Rated 3.8 over 10,000 reviews on Goodreads. - How to Work a Room (1989), Susan RoAne
The Ultimate Guide to Making Lasting Connections–In Person and Online
400 pages. Rated 3.5 over 700 reviews on Goodreads. - The Like Switch (2015), Jack Schafer (Summary)
An Ex-FBI Agent’s Guide to Influencing, Attracting, and Winning People Over
288 pages. Rated 3.9 over 4,200 reviews on Goodreads. - It’s Not All about Me (2011), Robin Dreeke
The Top Ten Techniques for Building Quick Rapport with Anyone
102 pages. Rated 3.9 over 1,500 reviews on Goodreads. - How to Be a People Magnet (2000), Leil Lowndes
Finding Friends–And Lovers–And Keeping Them for Life
288 pages. Rated 3.5 over 1,100 reviews on Goodreads. - Win the Crowd (2005), Steve Cohen
Unlock the Secrets of Influence, Charisma, and Showmanship
208 pages. Rated 3.9 over 200 reviews on Goodreads. - The 5 Essential People Skills (2004), Dale Carnegie
How to Assert Yourself, Listen to Others, and Resolve Conflicts
6 pages. Rated 3.8 over 600 reviews on Goodreads. - Words That Work (2006), Frank Luntz (Summary)
It’s Not What You Say, It’s What People Hear
350 pages. Rated 3.6 over 1,700 reviews on Goodreads. - How to Be a Power Connector (2014), Judy Robinett (Summary)
The 5+50+100 Rule for Turning Your Business Network Into Profits
234 pages. Rated 4.1 over 300 reviews on Goodreads. - Not Nice (2017), Aziz Gazipura
Stop People Pleasing, Staying Silent, & Feeling Guilty… And Start Speaking Up, Saying No, Asking Boldly, And Unapologetically Being Yourself
506 pages. Rated 4.1 over 800 reviews on Goodreads. - The Likeability Factor (2005), Tim Sanders
How to Boost Your L-Factor and Achieve Your Life’s Dreams
224 pages. Rated 3.7 over 900 reviews on Goodreads. - Peoplesmart (2000), Melvin L. Silberman
Developing Your Interpersonal Intelligence
272 pages. Rated 3.6 over 200 reviews on Goodreads. - Click (2007), George C. Fraser
Ten Truths for Building Extraordinary Relationships
213 pages. Rated 3.9 over <100 reviews on Goodreads. - Power Questions (2012), Andrew C. Sobel
Build Relationships, Win New Business and Influence Others
205 pages. Rated 3.8 over 1,100 reviews on Goodreads.
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