The Basics of Communication: A Relational Perspective
"The relational theme that the authors set up as a the novelty in an introductory textbook is what would prompt me to adopt it. . . . Something that makes this textbook different is the personal approach that Duck and McMahan use. They address the students as if they were talking to them. . . . Furthermore, the family communication and identity chapters are very appealing and not a common feature among textbooks." (David Chronet-Roses 2008-08-20)"Every chapter presents a variety of materials and issue from communication, psychology, sociology, applied linguistics, and other social sciences and humanities. I have never seen such an interdisciplinary-oriented textbook."   (Masahiro Masuda 2008-08-20)"It is a fresh, new approach that will make conversations with students quite rich!" (Erin Sahlstein 2008-08-20)"Duck and McMahan's attempt to integrate a relational component to all communication contexts cleverly integrates communication, theory and practice, with psychology, theory and practice."(Michael Elkins 2008-08-20)"This is an excellent text for the instructor frustrated with simple and simplistic renderings of communication as merely the skill of self-expression. It challenges both the instructor and the students to set aside what they have been taught by their culture and their media and to reconsider why we think of communication in individualistic terms and how that dominant framework shapes the relationships we engage and maintain." (Lance Brendan Young 2008-08-20)"This book is entertaining yet relevant, helps instructors connect with their students, and demonstrates the significance of communication as both everyday performance and scholarly endeavor." (Branislav Kovacic 2008-08-20)"This text is really the first to take advantage of theory and research that focus on the role of communication, relating, and dialogue in everyday life. The central strength is the focus on the ‘dynamic betweenness’ of human communication, and how communication, relationships, and social structures are constituted and reconstituted in everyday life." (Larry Erbert 2008-08-20)I would welcome the opportunity to use this text based on the conversational writing style of the authors, the balance between theory and application of this information to daily relationships, and the end of chapter features for discussion. (Ann Marie Jablonowski 2008-08-20)"An in-depth basic communication text with easy to understand examples for each topic area." (Quinton Davis 2008-08-20)"I think that this may be the best book on the basics of communication in terms of organization and relationship between theory and reality, bravo to the authors for their fine work." (Brian Cogan 2008-08-20)"Specific applications allow students to experience the theories. This facilitates learning and allows students to improve their communication competencies." (Kevin Cummings 2008-08-20)"This text provides a fantastic combination of engaging students while challenging them to think about their lives, and communication, in an insightful way. There are several outlets for the students to apply their new ideas and theories in an environment that guides them to understanding." (Tracy Routsong 2008-08-20)"This refreshing intro text is readable and interesting with comprehensive coverage." (Pam Secklin 2008-08-21)The strengths of this text are the real world examples, interactive features, and humble mode of address through narrative and self-disclosure. (Robert Bodle 2008-08-21)"A comprehensive hybrid text that includes features that will resonate with multiple learning needs." (Annette Holba 2008-08-21)"The Basics of Communication: A Relational Perspectiveis more than a basic textbook. This book is an excellent hybrid for those professors who like to introduce basic communication concepts and theory to students along with some instruction on giving presentations." (Laura Oliver 2008-08-21)"Duck and McMahan have done everything in their power to compose a textbook that is not only thorough and informative, but which students will also be able to REALLY relate to." (Thomas Harkins 2008-08-21)"The strengths of this book include the ease of reading, relevant examples and everyday experiences used to help explain concepts, and the discussion of the various ‘selves’ or ways in which we perform identity." (Lori Johnson 2008-08-21)"This book is written in a conversational tone and incorporates many recent research findings in the chapter, and it also provides some useful classroom activities." (Yinjiao Ye 2008-08-21)"It is a well written and comprehensive introductory treatment of key issues in communication studies." (Rick Olsen 2008-08-21)"Students should be able to relate readily to this book with its easy to understand writing style which doesn't get bogged down in the author's own sense of self-importance." (Richard West 2008-08-21)"Duck and McMahan have a text that explains to students basic theories and practices of the communication discipline in a manner that reflects the communication experiences these students have encountered in their daily lives. This is more than a book of theoretical ideas and practical advice; it is a book that tells the students 'this is what it means for you.'" (David Tschida 2008-08-21)"The writing is crisp, clear, serious, jocular, and nuanced with simplicity and complexity. And all this at the same time! The authors' voice comes through beautifully." (Avinash Thombre 2008-08-21)"Excellent! The authors were able to convey exactly the description of the course I try to teach!!" (Jeffrey Pierson 2008-08-21)"Thorough, appropriate for the diversity of our population." (Jean Dewitt 2008-08-21)The writing style of the Duck/McMahan textbook is more conversational and in first person, welcoming an informal style where one can relate. . . . I like how it uses examples that relates to everyday life. . . . It invites me to learn new things about the inner self and others around you. I like how it intertwines sociological and psychological concepts along with the idea of communication. (Student 2008-09-08)Key strengths include good comparisons, such as the onion, to model the idea of revealing ourselves to others; informative and thoroughly explains concepts so students can understand key terms; excellent end of chapter features to help students analyze what they have just learned from the chapter. (Student 2008-09-08)It was like I was having a conversation with my textbook. I for once understood what the text was saying, and wanted to continue reading further. It did not seem like a chore to have read. I learned a lot about the chapter and also about myself as I read this chapter! (Student 2008-09-08)This really doesn’t seem like a textbook! It’s something easy to read and understand. It’s also not one of those textbooks where you dread reading it and put it off till the last minute. I know that if this was my new textbook I would read it first because you are gaining a lot of valuable information. (Student 2008-09-08)It is much easier to relate to than my current text book is. It seems as if it was written with the students in mind. (Student 2008-09-08)I felt that it challenged me to learn more about what an identity is and to understand the definitions of your symbolic self, accountability self accountability, etc.(Student 2008-09-08)I think even students outside of the communication field can appreciate the information and how it applies in their life. (Student 2008-09-08)This is a book that I would ask my instructor to use in the course. . . . It relates to all audiences and gives real life examples. (Student 2008-09-08)The tone and up-to-date examples and ideas concerning cell phones, Facebook, Brad Pitt, and Hillary Clinton made it ‘survive-able’. Reading a textbook isn’t my favorite activity, but the cutback on technical language and terms and more description and examples made it easy to understand. (Student 2008-09-08)I like the media links the most - that is a way I have not seen. It is very easy to relate what the text is talking about and so it is easier to understand. (Student 2008-09-08)This book I believe has great insight in self–identity and as well as communication with others, it is elaborate and concise. It also gives great picture caption and visual text better than some of the text books that I am using in college today. (Student 2008-09-08)It changed the way I look at identity! Duck and McMahan are way more fun to read than my current text. (Student 2008-09-08)I think that it was much more user friendly and ‘kind’ to the reader and actually made you want to read the text, not just scan it for the information that you needed and put it aside again. (Student 2008-09-08)