"How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie

Under the subheading "15,000,000 people can't be wrong," I proudly present one of the all-time business book classics. You've probably heard about this book, as it's one of those titles that have become part of the cultural lexicon (like CATCH-22). It floats around the edges of the pop-culture ether, easily recalled but little read.

Written in 1936, it is based on courses in public speaking that had been taught in adult education courses by Dale Carnegie since 1912. It is an unusual little book, written in a highly personalized, colloquial style that is reminiscent of a lecture.

This book was designed with professionals in mind, and designed to help professional people do better in business by helping them make social contacts and improve their speaking skills. It was also written with a certain earnestness in mind. Carnegie was a big believer in sincerity when it came to dealing with other people.