Communication

Reviews / Votes

"I believe students will relate extremely well to the writing. The fact that the authors offer up their stories gives this textbook a unique and welcomed quality that sets it above others. The text is accessible without being elementary, and the content is important and timely. I've been looking for a book that addresses the nuances of culture and takes a critical approach to communication, and I believe I've found it!" -- Sandy Pensoneau-Conway "I like that interpersonal communication is explained as communication between people who have some sort of stake in one another. I can't help but think of what a difference it would make if all of our students thought of communication in this way. In like manner, to frame interpersonal communication as the intersection of self, Other and culture is really useful.... This book is making me think." -- Sarah Bonewits Feldner "The goals of this text are laudable and refreshing. I think its social justice focus is appropriate in demonstrating and motivating advocacy. The critical framework is exceptional, placing the theories in a perspective that is consistently maintained throughout the text. This approach is long overdue." -- Reeze Hanson "The greatest benefit of this book is its sophisticated treatment of a wide range of communication concepts from interpersonal to public speaking. The narrative examples make this a more readable text for introductory level students without skimping on challenging concepts." -- Keith Nainby "The uniqueness of this work's mission and the specific ways it gets enacted, the personalized nature of the authors' narratives, the relevant examples, the use of often avoided topics in intro communication texts, and the ways these topics get treated with depth, respect and precision.... these are the key contributions of this book." -- Keith Berry "This is the book that I have been waiting for. It respects students and interrogates theory. The critical approach teaches students to independently consider communication in all forms. The central message that knowledge allows us to change is fundamental to my teaching philosophy. This text would actually be read by my students and would support what I teach in lecture." -- John B. Ryan "The authors' style is conversational, non-didactic, and the approach encourages critical thinking.... The great advantage of this text is that it will help foster dialogic communication in the classroom and a high degree of student reflection." -- Don Rubin This text uses a narrative approach to situate communication concepts within contexts. I really like the central theories, issues focus, narrative style, and public address and activism features. These make the book unique and, I believe, engaging both for seasoned instructors and for students.... It could prove very fun to teach from. -- Deanna Sellnow