9 Best Books on Human Communication

“Interpersonal Communication: An Introduction to Human Interaction” Book Review: This book aims to help students grasp the basics of interpersonal communication. It is designed for students starting their studies in communication, whether at the undergraduate or postgraduate level. The book begins by defining interpersonal communication and covering its history, levels, and the communication process. It then goes into detail about establishing contact, listening skills, and non-verbal communication. The book also explores conflicts, their causes, and methods for resolution. In the chapter on persuasion, the book discusses Aristotle’s philosophy and how to create a persuasive message. Leadership skills, family communication, and intercultural communication are also covered. Real-life examples, diagrams, charts, and illustrations are used to explain these concepts.

“Human Communication Across Cultures: A Cross-Cultural Introduction to Pragmatics and Sociolinguistics” Book Review: This book is targeted towards undergraduate students of Linguistics and aims to teach them about the process of human communication. It begins with an overview of language, communication, and culture, followed by a detailed examination of language’s structural features. Additionally, the book explores pragmatics, routine, speech acts, and organizational communication in a concise manner. The book’s primary focus is on the last five chapters, which delve deeply into the influence of social factors on language usage. Specifically, the book examines the evolution of dialects, the relationship between language and ethnicity/gender, and other related topics. The book is well-organized, with each chapter presenting its content in a structured format. Additionally, it is designed to be an interactive workbook, with detailed examples, small tasks, and end-of-chapter questions. At the end of each chapter, a bullet-point summary is provided to help students reinforce their understanding of the material.

“Thinking Through Communication: An Introduction to the Study of Human Communication” Book Review: This book has been created specifically to provide undergraduate and postgraduate students who are taking introductory communication courses with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental theories and principles of communication. It covers various topics such as interpersonal communication, mass media communication and organizational communication. The book is divided into two parts: the first part focuses on the history of the study of communication and the basic perspectives that scholars of the field hold, while the second part concentrates on technical aspects such as encoding, decoding, context, barriers, structure, etc. The book also takes a special interest in exploring how technological advancements have influenced our perception of ‘Communication’ and discusses critical theory surrounding this topic. Practical examples and research guidelines are provided throughout the book to ensure that readers have a well-rounded understanding of the subject.

“Introduction to Human Communication: Understanding and Sharing” Book Review: This book aims to enhance student’s abilities in various communication domains such as interpersonal communication, organizational communication, group discussions, and public speaking. It is tailored for students enrolled in introductory communication courses and is divided into three parts. The first section offers an overview of communication, including its basics and different forms. The second part delves into the various communication contexts and how subtle changes in nonverbal cues and gestures can significantly impact the message’s interpretation. The final section centers on public speaking, providing guidance on topic selection, evidence presentation, persuasion techniques, and the use of visual aids. Moreover, the book includes a wealth of end-of-chapter questions and online resources.

”Human Communication: The Basic Course” Book Review: This book is designed for students studying introductory communication courses at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It covers the fundamental principles and concepts of human communication. The book is divided into three parts. The first part provides a solid foundation by explaining each component of the communication process in detail. The second part focuses on interpersonal communication, including different types and potential conflicts in organizational and small group settings. The final part concentrates on public speaking skills, teaching readers how to conduct research, organize presentations, and deliver persuasive speeches. The book uses diagrams, examples, and end-of-chapter quizzes to enhance understanding.

”A Survey of Human Communication” by Michael A Griffin Book Review: This book is a comprehensive guide to the field of speech and communication studies, catering to both undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled in an Introductory Communication course. The transactional model of communication is the lens through which human communication is viewed. The text begins by introducing fundamental communication concepts, such as purpose, principles, and context, setting the groundwork for the rest of the book. One entire chapter is dedicated to the listening process, while the primary focus is on interpersonal communication and its various forms. The text delves into topics like verbal and non-verbal communication, perception, and conflict in great detail. The other significant focus area is public speaking, which teaches readers how to select topics, conduct research, prepare presentations, and be assertive. The book employs diagrams, flowcharts, and real-life examples to aid comprehension.

“Human Communication in Everyday Life: Explanations and Applications” Book Review: This book is intended for undergraduate and postgraduate students taking introductory communication courses. It presents a comprehensive overview of human communication in various contextual circumstances, drawing on research conducted in this field over the past three decades. The book is divided into two parts. The first part examines the principles of communication, providing a detailed analysis of the communication process and its individual components. This section serves as a basis for the second part, which explores communication in various applied contexts. Using real-world scenarios, such as public speaking, interorganizational communication, and intercultural communication, the foundational knowledge is applied. Each chapter includes practice questions, research measures, and pop-culture examples.

“Communication and Human Behavior” Book Review: This introductory book is designed for undergraduate students pursuing a degree in communication sciences. Its purpose is to provide an overview of the study of communication, including the history of its development from the 1930s to the present day, as well as its principles and evolution. The book delves into the basics of communication, examining topics such as verbal and non-verbal communication, cognitive development, media, and relationships. Furthermore, it provides an in-depth analysis of communication in various contexts, such as interpersonal communication, group communication, organizational communication, and workplace communication. Finally, the book addresses the influence of technology on the progression of communication sciences.