How to Win an Argument

by Michael A. Gilbert

Book Overview

It's not always the person who is right who wins the arguments, more often it's the person who argues best. Gilbert's practical, clever guide--which also serves as a text for his popular seminars on the art of arguing--shows readers how to hone their polemical skills, and how to counter the verbal weapons that may be in an opponent's arsenal.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1620457067
• ISBN13: 9781620457061
• Release Date: January 1996
• Publisher: Trade Paper Press
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Excellent book

Great book. Closest to Thousless' 'Straight and Crooked Thinking' I have found. Clear, practical, usefull, good examples and educational. I have three paperback copies like the one with the red/blue/yellow jacket (best paperback version), the latest paperback version, a hardback version of the best paperback version and the ebook version. I was overjoyed to find it available for kindle! Worth reading every six months or so. In case you are wondering why so many copies, about 15 years ago I lent my latest copt of the Thouless work to a friend who lost it!! Now I only have the 1930's hardback! Great books should have back-up copies bought.

Higher Paradigm Objective To The Argument

Good book for sophists! Doesn't matter what the subject is, or what is right and wrong, only the skill of debate is what wins. Sadly, this is what is popular today with the take over of the radical Neo-conservatives. This book is a way to leave the argument itself and look at it from the outside. After analyzing it and recognizing objective patterns; as in circular reasoning; labeling; begging the questions with conclusions without details; or in using multiple principles; loosing the main topic; changing direction; basing reasons on the conclusion with circular reasoning; or using popularity as a reason. In viewing your argument from the outside while maintaining subjectivity from within, is the best place to present your reasons. It's not necessarily going to change each person's side of the argument, but its going to clarify the reasons to the higher paradigms of each thinker, this to the point he or she is at. And from there each one can bring home their deeper reasons, bogus or valid. Awesome book. Easy to read, very helpful.

an eye opener

This is a book that you can read through in a day, but most likely, you will go back and read it again and again as I have. Very simple and to the point, it initially explains what an argument really is and puts the topic into perspective. With questions like "what are we arguing about?" and "why argue" answered and by identifying different types of arguments, the reader is equipped with a plan to avoid falling into dead-end arguments and getting sucked into agreement which he may later regret. It is truly a helpful guide in polishing your negotiating skills whether for buying a car or negotiating with your spouse. I have used the techniques described within and was surprised with how simple but effective theese techniqes really are. Great book!

Great Intro to Argumentation

This is an excellent book on argumentation. It covers the basics, and for that some will inevitably criticize it, but how often do we find people who know all of the basics of a subject? The book covers interesting concepts like the subject change (non-sequitur) and the various fallacies used in arguments. It helped me to understand the concepts of "begging the question" and "false cause." The book provides good guidelines on conducting an argument, and provides hypothetical arguments to allow the reader to analyze them, so as to better grasp the concepts. The book is short and to the point, which is an advantage. It is an excellent intro to argumentation.

Good for beginners

If you find yourself constantly arguing about anything and everything, and you find that you always come up empty, then this is a book for you. Easy to follow and helpful hints that can help even the novice turn professional