How to Talk to Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere: The Secrets of Good Communication From Booklist Larry King does how-to--in this case, how to make conversation. Unfortunately, he fails to tell us much of anything new about the intricacies of the lively art. Instead, he offers mostly old saws (look listeners right in the eye, don't monopolize the conversation), and some of his advice is downright laughable. Larry sez: When you strike up a conversation with the opposite sex, avoid openers like, What's a nice girl like you doing in a place like this? "Lines like this don't work anymore." Oh, duh, Larry. There's another unintentionally hysterical section in which he counsels readers on how to talk to celebrities ("Ask Woody Allen about the New York Knicks basketball team, or Paul Newman about his charity work with kids"). Say, what a good idea. Next time I'm having dinner at Elaine's, I'll waltz right over and ask Woody about Patrick Ewing's health, though I'd rather know what the heck he sees in Soon-Yi. More interesting than King's advice are his recollections of broadcasts where the conversation was either terrific or turgid and his take on the good and bad guests he's had on his shows (Bob Kennedy, good; Bob Hope, bad; Bob Mitchum, very bad). Despite this largely silly book's numerous flaws, King's name will create demand, and, who knows, there may be patrons out there who want to know what to say at a funeral. Ilene Cooper  Review "Full of some of the smartest, most practical advice I've come across...Larry King is a master of communication." --Dan Rather 				    	 					              See all Product description