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The Art of Manipulation: How to Get What You Want Out of People in Business, in Your Personal Life, and in Your Love Life. Paperback

by unknown author (Author)
4.0 out of 5 stars 10 ratings
Manipulation Galore!!! The ultimate how-to book for the shrewdest people on the planet. First edition was published in July 1978. This is the second printing, August 1978. 4 1/4" X 7". 197 pages. Slightly rubbed, scuffed, creases; former owner's label on inside front cover; contents complete and sharp. A collector and bargain delight.
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00KV2291K
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cope Allied Publishing
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 10 ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Bailey
    4.0 out of 5 stars Don't be a Sucker
    Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2015
    Format: Hardcover
    I don't usually write reviews but after seeing the seller's prices I had to say something.I am shocked people have the gumption to charge such outrageous prices for this book.
    Maybe they didn't read the book, skipped the last chapter, or just decided to ignore R.B warning against using people.
    Here are some sentences from at the end of the book that serve as a warning to people who plan to use these techniques for personal gain, even if you do it selectively.
    1) "I assume that you want to be happy. But the fact is
    that using people will get you just the opposite: It
    will make you unhappy"
    2) "The con artists I learned manipulation from showed me what a wasteland a person can
    make of his life by running over people"
    3) "If you take advantage of some people, you'll take advantage of anyone.....Your behavior changes very little
    from one relationship to the next"
    Ok I'm done with the soapbox.
    On to the book

    1)The book itself is well written and offers extremely practical if not cynical advice in dealing with people he talks about
    -Why a positive attitude is like a gigolo and what kind of mentality to develop instead
    -How to determine someone trustworthiness .

    Here is a quick summary of some of my favorite passages from the book
    -The World is Rife with Favoritism.How to get people to like you:
    1)use subtle flattery 2)smile 3) ask your manipulatee for advice
    -The strongest motivator is intermittent reinforcement if you treat a person well all the time you are going to be taken for granted
    -Develop an I Dont Need You, You Need Me state of mind

    All and all a great book but do not pay $300 plus for this book. Its not worth it.If you dont care about the format and just want the information look around online and you can probably get it for free.
    But if you don't want to look online but still want the information
    Read
    1)The 48 laws of power,
    2)How To Win Friends And Influence People,
    3)Pitch Anything
    4) Getting More
    5)The Big Con
    6) Influence
    Read all six of these books and you have learned all the tactics/principles described in The Art Of Manipulation and more.
    Who would've thought people selling a book on psychological manipulation would be so unethical as try and price gouge customers :)
    43 people found this helpful
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  • J.C.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2019
    Format: Hardcover
    Several other reviews seem addressed to the price of the book. It is steep because it is rare and out of print. There is an easy fix: Bring it back to print! It has some of the most helpful and practical advice I've seen to avoid being conned, but also how to use con artist skills to your (honest) advantage.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Lamia
    1.0 out of 5 stars The art of manipulation:
    Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2017
    Format: Hardcover
    The art of manipulation: A prime proof by trying to manipulate people into spending $700 for something they could just google how to do
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Hobgoblin_of_Venice
    5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect book to read to learn how to handle people
    Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2010
    Format: Hardcover
    I bought this book on a whim some years ago from ebay. It was like a guide book for all the stuff I wanted to know about that no one would tell me. Seriously, If I ever have kids someday it will be required reading for them. Sparkman basically does a good job of explaining street smarts.

    This is a book, that if you give it a fair chance, AN HONEST CHANCE ! it will change your life. I started getting my way a little more often after I read it and employed some of his tactics so I am a happier person now.

    and I have used it to get jobs so its paid for itself thousands of times over.

    Ordinarily if a book cost a 150 $ I would say get a different book. But in the case of the art of manipulation its worth at least as much as an education at a community college. Some of his examples are corney but they are easy to follow. I will say this though, If you think you know it all you should steer clear of this book. People who are not receptive to new ideas are not going to get anything out of it. But for those who are... WoW.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Steven S. Kreibach
    5.0 out of 5 stars easy to read practical insight into human nature & response
    Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2001
    Format: Hardcover
    An excellent book that I couldn't put down. It prompted me to search for my own copy and others like it because it opens up a whole new side of life for me.
    I'm like most people who just live life without a clue to the con games arround me. But this book gives excellent insight into why some people can always get what they want.
    Most importantly it shows what emotional strings the con men are pulling so you can watch out. very colorful and fun to read. Non-technical and very practical.
    If you've never read a book like this I recomend that you start now.
    12 people found this helpful
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