The Definitive Book of Body Language

Allan & Barbara Pease
Pease International (2004)
ISBN 1920816100
Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (7/06)

How often do we look at a person, while listening to what they are saying, and wonder if they are telling the truth?  Or, how often are we puzzled by the gestures of the person talking because they don’t reflect what he or she is saying?  Allan and Barbara Pease offer a text-book like version of all the gestures imaginable – many we’ve done ourselves and didn’t realize we were sending mixed messages.

The Pease’s included actual photos, many of politicians, illustrations, as well as true-life stories.  When they are asked if a person can fake body language they claim that no one can ‘because the lack of congruence that is likely to occur between the main gestures, the body’s micro-signals and the spoken word.”  The authors also claim that “body language is easier to fake with men than with women because, overall, men aren’t good readers of body language.”

In this near 400 page book the Pease’s explain many gestures. They explain palm power, handshakes, smiles, arm signals, hand and thumb gestures, space invading, and many others.  They delve into the most common gestures that we do and see daily, e.g. nod, head shake, picking imaginary lint, stance.  An interest to travelers or those dealing with people from other cultures will find the section on “Cultural Differences” most informative.  When President Bush was seen holding hands with Saudi Prince Abdullah the gesture made the headlines and much controversy occurred.  However, according to the Saudi culture, “if a Saudi man holds another man’s hand it’s a sign of mutual respect.  But don’t do it in Australia, Texas or Liverpool, England.”  Also, as Westerners, and including Europeans, we “blow [our] noses into a handkerchief or tissue while Asians and Japanese spit or snort. Each is appalled by what they see as the other’s ‘disgusting’ behavior.”

It is obvious that the authors have done their research before compiling all the information into this book.  It would be hard to find something missing, or in fact to disagree with them. The book is easy to understand, easy to read, and makes a very good reference book.

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