The Body Language Handbook

About the book:
“Ever wonder what that raised eyebrow, nervous twitch, or lazy slouch really means? Is it profound and important…or a meaningless quirk?

In The Body Language Handbook, the authors use candid photos of real people in stress-free situations, then juxtapose them against others showing the same people responding to different kinds of stimulus to illustrate the power of body language. By going step-by-step from the holistic to the detailed, you’ll quickly discover when body language indicates something significant, and when an itch is just an itch. You’ll learn how to:

• Identify the basic mechanics of human communication.
• Observe what is culturally normal…and when determine “abnormal” matters.
• Read changes in body language.
• Avoid misunderstandings.
• Project the right message.
• Protect yourself from manipulation.

The Body Language Handbook will not only teach you how to read the body language of others, it will also make sure you send the signals you want to send. Increase your power of communication at the office, in a courtroom or classroom, at home, and in any social setting–even the poker table!”

About the Authors:
“Gregory Hartley started his career with the U.S. Army, teaching interrogation and resistance to interrogation, as well as providing interrogation support to Special Forces in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He then translated that military experience to businesses and has provided body language and behavioral analysis for print, TV, and radio media. With Maryann Karinch, Hartley is the author of five other books about human behavior, deception and body language, including How to Spot a Liar, I Can Read You Like a Book, and Get People to Do What You Want.

Maryann Karinch is the author of 15 books, many of which address human behavior. Her corporate background includes senior communications positions with a variety of technology companies.”

My Thoughts:
I found the information presented in this book to be very interesting. The tone is rather professional, but it does describe each topic in a way that is easy to understand, by presenting examples. It made me think of non verbal communication in a whole different way. After reading this book, I can now understand people’s body language better. I learned that there are many things that need to be taken into consideration when trying to “read” a person’s body language, such as a person‘s culture, their upbringing, what actions come normal to them, their surroundings, and the movement or position of all parts of their body as a whole.

I found interesting little tidbits of information nicely placed among the book’s chapters, like why, when, and how some people have learned to fake their non verbal feelings, such as faking a smile.

This is a book that is best read from cover to cover. Choosing to skip around through the book, you could miss quite a bit of interesting and/or important information.

Not only did I discover tips on “reading” another person’s body language, I also discovered tips on ways to express my own body language so that I can convey my own feelings in the best way possible.

You can purchase this book from Amazon or check with your local bookstore.

The Body Language Handbook: How To Read Everyone’s Hidden Thoughts and Intentions
Paperback: 206 pages
Publisher: Career Press (January 20, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-1601630766
List Price: U.S. $15.99

Air Bud: Golden Receiver Special Edition DVD

I have always loved Disney films. Not only are they family friendly, but they tend to always feature cute characters and a storyline that teaches an important trait or lesson.

On February 2, 2010 Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment will be releasing Air Bud: Golden Receiver Special Edition on DVD. If you have seen and loved the adorable Golden Retriever, Buddy, and his great basketball skills in Air Bud, chances are very good that you will equally love him and the rest of the great cast in Air Bud: Golden Receiver.

I had the opportunity to view this DVD and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The storyline was so easy to follow and it definitely captured and kept my attention the entire time. I watched it with my seven year old son and we both enjoyed the fantastic cast and story. Both my son and I got very into the movie and we both laughed at the funny moments, “awwed” at the sweet moments, sniffled at the sad moments, and cheered at the happy moments.
My son especially liked the exclusive bonus of the Buddies (from the movies Snow Buddies, Space Buddies and Santa Buddies) and their Sports Channel play-by-play commentary and the sport whistle necklace. He loves to wear the necklace while playing outside and while reenacting scenes from the movie.

Movie summary:
” Now you can kick off all-star family fun with this heartwarming Special Edition, featuring exclusive all-new bonus action: SPORTS CHANNEL play-by-play quarterbacked by the BUDDIES! This time out, Buddy, the hoop-shooting, hotshot canine, tackles a new sport — football. When his teenage owner reluctantly becomes the school’s new quarterback, Buddy catches the spirit and joins the team. Soon, the two find themselves leading the Timberwolves to the state championship. But victory hopes are sidelined when two sinister Russian circus owners take a bite out of everyone’s plans and dognap Buddy for their star attraction. Give three cheers for Disney’s hilarious hit that goes the whole nine yards for outrageous fun and adventure.attraction. Give three cheers for Disney’s hilarious hit that goes the whole nine yards for outrageous fun and adventure.”

Additional Information:
Directed By: Mike Southon; Richard Martin
Original Release Date: 2/2/10
Written By: Aaron Mendelsohn; Pat Tamasy
Studio: Walt Disney Home Video
Approximate Run Time: 90 minutes
MPAA: G. Bonus material not rated.

Buy it:
You can buy (pre order before Feb. 2, 2010) Air Bud: Golden Receiver Special Edition DVD from Disney Store for $21.99

Thanks goes out to Walt Disney Home Video and Kailani (An Island Life) for this review opportunity. I received the DVD in return for my honest opinions. No other compensation was received. All opinions and thoughts expressed in this post are my own, and different people may have different outcomes.