Flattery history

Author: Richard Stengel
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2002-01-01
Features: Flattery is an art; used improperly, it can backfire! Yet scientific flattery can take you straight to the top!! From the U.S. comes The History of Flattery, which openly teaches you how to flatter and win people's favor...... So, who is a flatterer? If you guess the devil, you're close, but according to The History of Flattery, flattery dates back to chimpanzees, who spend their days grooming each other. In reality, flattery has been a survival strategy since the Stone Age. Our flattery is merely strategic praise. To describe its diverse forms, Richard Stengel takes us on a wise and journey: from chimpanzees to the God of the Old Testament (who craved flattery but never received it), to medieval troubadours (who invented sentimental romantic flattery), to Dale Carnegie (flattery helps you travel the world), all the way to Monica Lewinsky's love letters filled with adoration for dear Clinton (embarrassing insults are also a form of flattery). Flattery thrives in hierarchical societies, such as royal courts or the boards of 500 major tycoons—both upward and downward. Downward flattery is particularly subtle. Studies show that flattery works best for those with high self-esteem ("Yes, that guy Jones has good taste; he can see how extraordinary I am."). Flattery is the lubricant of social daily life. Stengel argues that in our society, public flattery prevails while personal praise is lacking. Yet, it's common today that flattery is merely harmless deceit—an easy sin that benefits both the giver and the receiver. In short, flattery is indeed powerful. A wise and journey, full of insight, keen observation,....