Consequential Strangers: The Power of People Who Don't Seem to Matter... But Really Do

by Melinda Blau and Karen L. Fingerman

Book Overview

Our barista, our mechanic, our coworker--they populate our days, but we often take them for granted. Yet these are the people who bring novelty and information into our lives, allow us to exercise different parts of ourselves, and open us up to new opportunities. In their unprecedented examination of people on the periphery, psychologist Karen Fingerman, who coined the term "consequential strangers," collaborates with journalist Melinda Blau to expand...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393067033
• ISBN13: 9780393067033
• Release Date: August 2009
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 298 Pages
• Weight: 1.14 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.6" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Consequential who?

I wasn't sure this book would grab me; I assumed this was obvious stuff. What I didn't expect was how extensive the research and interviews would be and how broad a scope it would address. I was definitely "grabbed"; it got me thinking about all kinds of relationships in my life and, most importantly, I now value them more. Enjoyable and provocative.

A Book That Should Not Be A Stranger

Who can resist checking out the alluring title, "Consequential Strangers"? And then, eyeing the subject matter, you realize that some new and provocative idea is being presented. In this world of so much paranoia where outsiders are concerned, how wonderful to open up to the thought of feeling positive and needful of these 'consequential strangers' who are somehow essential to our social well-being. Extremely well-written and full of pertinent stories, this is an entertaining and worthwhile read, and, incidentally, educational from a sociological POV.

Who knew?

Who knew that a book about strangers would change the way I appreciate people in my life? This is a wonderfully spiritual path and I'll never look at a stranger, consequential or not, the same way again!

Consequential Strangers

Consequential Strangers is a great read and will make you more conscientious of how the strangers you meet can and do have an impact on your life. As a regular coffee shop visitor who initiates conversations with strangers from time to time, this book has encouraged me to step it up, to make an even greater effort to meet new people. As I reflect back upon the many interesting people I've met over years, I now better understand how and why they have been consequential.