The best 37 Body Language books

The Charisma Myth (2013) defies the popular notion that charisma is inherited, arguing instead that everyone can cultivate their own charisma, and in doing so can have a more positive attitude, find more success, and handle obstacles more successfully.

Using wide-ranging examples of charismatic people, from state leaders to CEOs to employees, the book also outlines the different styles of charisma and how to practice demonstrating each, and offers some useful tools and exercises with which to improve their psychological well-being.

• Anyone who wants to know what constitutes charisma
• Anyone who wants to learn how to become more charismatic

This book is all about the hidden meanings we can find in our body language. Our brains control our body movements without us being conscious of it, and sometimes those movements can be very revealing. This book goes into detail about the ways you can train yourself to become an expert in observing other people’s nonverbal cues and uncovering their meaning.

• Anyone interested in psychology
• Anyone who wants to improve his or her observational skills
• Anyone who wants to get better at understanding people’s true thoughts and intentions

Just Listen (2009) combines time-tested persuasion and listening techniques with new methods to help you get your message across to anybody. By learning how to be a better listener, how the brain works and how people think, you’ll be able to motivate people to do what you want because you’ll better understand their needs.

• Anyone who wants to improve their communication skills
• Anyone working in therapy or mediation
• Anyone who wants to be more persuasive

Strong leaders have to project the right body language and be able to read it well in their team members if they want to lead them to success. The Silent Language of Leaders (2011) offers tips for reading and controlling body language, even in cultures where social cues differ.

• Anyone in a leadership position
• Anyone who works in a multicultural environment
• Anyone interested in body language or psychology

TED Talks (2016) is the definitive guide to delivering a killer public speech. These blinks cover everything from stage fright to choosing the perfect outfit and will prepare to give a talk that’ll inspire any audience.

• Any entrepreneur who wants to share his project and ideas
• Lecturers and students working to improve their public speaking
• Anybody who feels that a fear of public speaking is holding them back

Emotions Revealed (2003) puts emotions under the microscope, revealing where they come from and how to recognize them, whether they’re yours or someone else’s. If you’ve ever wanted to know if someone was being dishonest or trying to deceive you with a friendly smile, these are the blinks for you!

• Law enforcement officers who need to recognize the emotions of criminals and victims
• Therapists and psychologists who want to help patients cope with their emotions
• Empathetic people who want to connect more effectively with others

How to Make People Like You in 90 Seconds or Less (2000) is a guide to connecting, communicating and expanding your social world. These blinks will teach you how to strike up a conversation with strangers and make them like you. It’ll also show you how to decode even their most subtle gestures.

Being likable is an art you can ace.

• Salespeople who want to improve their interpersonal skills
• Anyone who wants to meet new people but doesn’t know where to begin
• People looking to expand their circle of friends

Unmasking the Face (2003) is an illuminating read about the subtleties of facial expressions. From the dynamics of surprise, fear, anger and happiness, to the eight styles of facial expression, these blinks shed light onto the complexity of an everyday skill that deserves more attention: reading other people’s emotions.

• Readers interested in the psychology of social interaction
• Professionals who deal with displays of emotion on a daily basis
• People who want to gain insight into how they’re perceived by others

How To Talk to Anyone (1998) is an indispensable guide to improving your conversations and becoming more graceful and effective in your social interactions – no matter the situation. Leil Lowndes offers readers a treasure trove of techniques and tips that will help any socially awkward individual gain more confidence in workplace environments, meetings, their private lives and at parties.

• Businesspeople who want fantastic working relationships
• Readers looking for better ways to communicate with their partners
• Awkward folk who’d like to improve their social skills

If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look On My Face? (2017) explains how improvisation techniques, as practiced by actors and comedians, can be used as training methods for better communication. Alda uses illuminating examples of miscommunications from his own life to show how we all can be better at relating and talking to one another.

• Anyone whose job involves communicating complex ideas to various and varied audiences
• Leaders who want to improve their interpersonal skills and learn about empathy
• Non-actors who want to learn how the craft really works

How to be Heard (2017) identifies proven ways to become a powerful speaker, the kind that commands people’s attention and keeps them hanging on your every word. Author Julian Treasure also examines the steps people can take to improve their listening skills, allowing them to better understand what’s being said and making the listener feel that they’re being heard. These tips can help improve both communication skills and our most important relationships.

• Couples who want to repair their relationships through better listening
• Readers eager to overcome their fear of public speaking
• Managers and leaders who want to inspire people with their words

Neuro-linguistic Programming for Dummies (2015) is an introduction to the basic principles behind NLP. If you’ve ever struggled to say what’s on your mind, NLP may be of use to you. Discover the human traits that can keep us from understanding each other and the helpful methods that can lead to clear and effective communication.

• Readers who strive to communicate clearly
• Students of neuroscience and linguistics
• Anyone open to new ideas and techniques for improvement

Captivate (2017) is your guide to human behavior and social success. Whether you’re trying to connect with others at home, at work or out in the world, Van Edwards set about breaking down the mechanics of how to capture people’s attention and engage in meaningful interaction.

• Young people who want to improve their social skills
• Singles looking to become dating pros
• Managers and entrepreneurs who want their employees to do their best

The Art of Public Speaking (1915) remains one of the most popular and widely-read guides to making effective public speeches. Its approachable language and applicable tips have been turning would-be speech-givers into master orators for more than a century.

• Aspiring public speakers
• People who’ve experienced stage fright
• Anyone trying to increase their influence

The Power of Nunchi (2019) is an introduction to the subtle Korean art of gauging other people’s moods and thoughts in order to create trust, connection, and harmony. While nunchi has its roots in Korean culture, its lessons are applicable to contexts far beyond Korea. That’s because nunchi is a social skill that’ll empower you to read a room and understand others so that you can improve your relationships, get ahead at work, and influence people in any context and place. 

• Employees who want to get ahead at work
• Wellness seekers who want to better connect with others
• Korean culture enthusiasts

Steal the Show (2015) is a practical guide designed to help performers scared of the limelight to settle their nerves and up their game. Drawing on author Michael Port’s experience as a professional actor, these blinks are packed with tips and hacks to help you persuade, inform and motivate. Whether you’re presenting your company’s latest figures in a meeting, pitching a new business idea or interviewing for a dream job, these strategies are guaranteed to help you make an impression. 

• Anyone who wants to become a better public speaker
• Anyone who’s struggling to find their true voice and needs some help
• Anyone who wants to live more honestly

Presence (2016) takes a valuable look at the relationship between our mind and body, and how it can influence our psychology and ability to communicate effectively. By examining body language and postures, author Amy Cuddy reveals some simple tips that can transform the lives of shy and self-conscious people into confident powerhouses. 

• Anyone wishing to up their communication skills
• Anyone who wants to be more confident in life
• Anyone who hasn’t yet experienced the benefits of power posing

Words Can Change Your Brain (2012) is an easy-to-follow guide on the art of effective and compassionate communication. Informed by the brain’s natural behavior and responses, these blinks outline measures we can take to become better at listening, expressing ourselves, and fostering trust and cooperation with others. 

• Anyone who wants to improve their communication skills
• People who’d like to approach difficult conversations with confidence
• Those curious about the science of communication

Don’t Take Yes for an Answer (2020) identifies why some people consistently achieve career breakthroughs, while others struggle to reach their potential. By adopting an attitude of continual self-improvement and learning three crucial communication skills, you can achieve exceptional results, regardless of your field.

• Ambitious employees who are trying to land promotions
• Underdogs seeking a breakthrough
• Aspiring advocates who want to inspire others

Human Hacking (2021) is a guide to the art of ethical social engineering. Using the same tools of psychology and influence deployed by security hackers, it demonstrates how to boost social interactions in daily life. It covers a range of tips on how to adjust your natural communication tendencies to steer encounters to your advantage, with practical tools on how to influence others using empathy and compassion.

• Those interested in becoming more persuasive
• People interested in making new friends
• Anyone interested in social engineering

Digital Body Language (2021) is your rulebook to clear online communication. Combining cutting-edge research with personal know-how, it demystifies the digital signals that so often stand in for traditional body language.

• Leaders and employees seeking more streamlined digital collaborations
• Virtual workers who want to improve their online tone and clarity
• Anyone who’s struggled to convey what they really mean from behind a screen

Read the Face (2021) is a beginner’s guide to the millennia-old art and science of physiognomy, or face reading. It provides a brief history of the practice, outlines techniques and methods, and includes insightful case studies.

• Anyone curious about physiognomy
• People eager to understand themselves and others better
• Couples interested in finding out about love compatibility

Powerful Phrases for Dealing with Difficult People (2013) provides practical tactics for navigating tough conversations at work. Along with over 325 phrases, it includes dozens of sample conversations that show the phrases in action.

• Anyone dealing with difficult coworkers or bosses
• Employees looking for practical guidance on how to talk to colleagues
• People interested in conflict management

I Don’t Agree (2020) is a practical guide to improving your conflict resolution skills. Disagreement is seen as bad, and even scary. But, actually, conflict can be a powerful engine for growth if you know how to deal with it effectively. I Don’t Agree provides ten practical strategies that will help you become an expert in dealing with conflict in all areas of your life.

• Employees seeking to improve their collaborations
• Anyone wanting to resolve a bitter argument
• Parents who want to learn how to teach conflict resolution skills to their kids

How to Be a 3% Man (2013) provides straightforward practice methods, tips and guidelines for meeting and dating women. It teaches you what to say to women, when to say it, and what her responses mean.

• Men who have a hard time approaching women.
• Anyone looking for dating advice.
• People hoping to improve their relationship.

Cues (2022) is about the signals we send unconsciously and how they affect the way others perceive us. The book is geared toward improving your professional life by managing the cues you send and responding appropriately to the ones you receive. 

• Professionals looking to achieve their goals
• Those interested in the science of communication
• People who want to improve their professional relationships

Read People Like a Book (2020) unravels the complex tapestry of human behavior, guiding readers to decipher verbal and non-verbal signals broadcast by people 24/7. Marrying scholarly wisdom to sly real-world tales, the book presents the art and science of people-reading with both flair and finesse. Dive in, and soon you'll be navigating human interactions like a seasoned anthropologist.

• Story seekers eyeing deeper connections
• Negotiators seeking an edge
• HR specialists scouting the right talent

Emotional Intelligence Habits (2023) is a comprehensive guide to cultivating the emotional intelligence (EQ) skills essential to both personal and professional success. It covers 35 habits that underpin the highest EQ scores and offers practical exercises to get you on your way today. 

• Professionals seeking a competitive edge
• Anyone wanting to improve their interpersonal relationships
• Individuals interested in becoming better people and leaders

The Power of Not Thinking (2020) explores the concept of embodied knowledge – information unconsciously stored by our bodies. It explains how this tacit knowledge influences our decision-making and actions across various aspects of life, challenging readers to trust their instincts and physical intelligence.

• Business leaders navigating complex industries
• Those who marvel at artists’ and performers’ ability to improvise
• Anyone interested in the body’s role in cognition

How to Speed Read People (2020) teaches you how to interpret the body language and emotions of others quickly, enabling you to understand unspoken cues and enhance your interactions. By mastering these skills, you can build stronger relationships, improve communication, and influence others effectively.

• Professionals seeking stronger communication and interpersonal skills
• Leaders aiming to better understand and motivate their teams
• Learners exploring personality, behavior, and emotional intelligence

You Say More Than You Think (2011) reveals the hidden language your body speaks before you even open your mouth. Your success in every interaction – from first dates to high-stakes negotiations – depends far more on unconscious signals than you realize. Master these secret codes of human behavior and you'll gain an almost supernatural ability to read and influence anyone you meet.

• Professionals looking to enhance communication and negotiation skills
• Leaders aiming to strengthen their influence and social connections
• Individuals curious about nonverbal cues and body language insights

Winning Body Language by Mark Bowden explores the power of nonverbal communication and how it can be used to influence and persuade others. Through real-life examples and practical tips, the book teaches readers how to master their body language to project confidence, build rapport, and achieve their goals in both professional and personal settings.

• Individuals who want to improve their nonverbal communication skills

• Professionals looking to enhance their leadership presence and influence

• People who want to better understand and interpret body language in various social and professional settings

Without Saying a Word by Kasia Wezowski delves into the fascinating world of nonverbal communication. Through real-life examples and scientific research, the book uncovers the hidden messages we convey through our body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. It offers valuable insights on how to interpret these cues and use them to improve our relationships and interactions with others.

• Individuals who want to improve their non-verbal communication skills

• Professionals in sales, negotiation, or leadership roles

• People who are interested in understanding human behavior and body language

The Power of Body Language by Tonya Reiman explores the impact of nonverbal communication on our everyday interactions. From job interviews to romantic relationships, Reiman delves into the subtle cues and signals that can greatly influence how we are perceived by others. Through real-life examples and practical tips, this book offers valuable insights into harnessing the power of body language to achieve success in various aspects of life.

• Individuals who want to improve their communication skills

• Professionals looking to enhance their presence and influence in the workplace

• People interested in understanding and interpreting nonverbal cues in various social interactions

The Definitive Book of Body Language by Allan Pease explores the power of nonverbal communication and its impact on our daily interactions. Through real-life examples and practical advice, the book uncovers the hidden messages behind gestures, facial expressions, and body movements, helping readers to better understand and interpret the unspoken language of others.

• Anyone interested in improving their communication skills and understanding nonverbal cues

• Professionals who want to enhance their body language for business and networking

• Individuals who want to become more aware of their own body language and its impact on others

The Dictionary of Body Language by Joe Navarro is a comprehensive guide that decodes the hidden meanings behind various body movements and gestures. Through real-life examples and practical tips, Navarro helps readers understand the nonverbal cues people exhibit in different social and professional situations. This insightful book can enhance your communication skills and improve your ability to interpret the unspoken language of the body.

• Individuals who want to improve their communication skills and understand nonverbal cues

• Professionals in fields such as sales, negotiation, or leadership

• People who are curious about human behavior and psychology

Definitive Book Of Body Language by Barbara Pease and Allan Pease is a comprehensive guide to understanding the unspoken language of the body. The book delves into various aspects of body language, including facial expressions, gestures, and posture, and explains how to interpret and use these cues to communicate effectively and understand others better. With real-life examples and practical tips, this book offers valuable insights into the hidden messages we convey through our bodies.

• Individuals who want to improve their communication skills and understand nonverbal cues

• Professionals looking to enhance their body language for business and networking

• People interested in psychology and human behavior