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What are the best books on body language and face reading?

I've read several "basic" books on body language, but I've yet to find one that truly delves into the subject in a profound way. I know what it means when women fold their arms across their chest and cross their legs facing away from you. I know what it means when a woman's pupils dilate as she is talking to you, and she starts playing with her hair. But I want to learn about both women's and men's body language, in a book that isn't academic and hard to read, but nevertheless explains in great detail the complex language of the body. I know 80% of our communication is unconscious and I would like to understand what messages I'm giving out and what message others are sending me through their body language. I would like to know when someone is lying, when they are frightened, when they are about to become violent, when they are romantically inclined, when they are confused, when they are hiding something, and so on. I know I will have to do a lot of work to master this, but I would truly like to master the art of understanding body language. Please can you point me to a book that will give me a good solid start? I loved the show "LIE TO ME". I want to know more about *Interpreting Microexpressions*, through the *Facial Action Coding System*, and *Body Language*. The show was inspired by the work of Paul Ekman, the world's foremost expert on facial expressions. Are his books worth reading? Like I said, I don't want anything too academic . . . serious material, but able to be understood by the average person. And not just the face, but the whole body. Thanks.

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  • 7 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    What you are looking for are books on > Non-verbal < behavior. A college book store is probably the best source for books on this subject. This is because they have classes on non-verbal behavior which covers more ground. Including, choice of clothing, color choices and personality, as well as body language, and facial expressions.

  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    I don't really know what you're going on about, so I'm going to imagine a question and give you the answer to it... Everyone reads body language, subconsciously. There are people who are very adept at consciously picking up on tiny details in the way someone behaves, Derren Brown for example. It is something that you already do, but sure, you can become better at it. As for jobs, I really doubt you will ever be employed as a human lie-detector.

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