What Every Body Is Saying

An Ex-FBI Agent's Guide to Speed-Reading People

by Joe Navarro and Marvin Karlins

Book Summary

What Every Body is Saying, a book by Joe Navarro, a former FBI agent, and expert on nonverbal communication, is a book about the various ways that people can use nonverbal cues to communicate, both intentionally and unintentionally.

According to Navarro, nonverbal communication is made up of four key elements: body language, facial expressions, gestures, and posture. By observing these elements, people can gain insight into what others are thinking and feeling. For example, crossed arms may indicate that a person is feeling defensive, while leaning forward may indicate that they are interested in what is being said.

One of the key takeaways from the book is that nonverbal communication is universal. In other words, people from different cultures and backgrounds tend to use the same nonverbal cues to convey the same emotions. This means that even if you are not familiar with a person's culture, you can still get a good sense of their emotions by observing their nonverbal cues.

Navarro also provides practical tips for how to interpret nonverbal cues. For example, he advises people to look for clusters of nonverbal cues, rather than just one or two individual cues, in order to get a more accurate picture of what someone is thinking or feeling. He also advises people to be aware of their own nonverbal cues and to use them intentionally in order to communicate more effectively.

What Every Body is Saying is an informative and practical guide to understanding nonverbal communication. The book provides clear explanations and practical tips and offers valuable insights into how people communicate without words.