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How to Read Body Language

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How to Read Body Language
WHAT EVERY

BODY
IS SAYI N G
An Ex-FBI Agent’s Guide to Speed-Reading People

JOE NAVARRO
FBI Special Agent (Ret.)

with Marvin Karlins, Ph.D.

To my grandmother, Adelina, whose withered hands lovingly molded a child into a man.
—J O E N AVA R R O

To my wife, Edyth, who has blessed me with her love and taught me what it means to be a caring human being.
—MARVIN KARLINS

CONTENTS

Foreword: I See What You’re Thinking Acknowledgments ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX Mastering the Secrets of Nonverbal Communication Living Our Limbic Legacy Getting a Leg Up on Body Language: Nonverbals of the Feet and Legs Torso Tips: Nonverbals of the Torso, Hips, Chest, and Shoulders Knowledge Within Reach: Nonverbals of the Arms Getting a Grip: Nonverbals of the Hands and Fingers

vi x

1 21 53 85 109 133

v

CONTENTS

SEVEN EIGHT NINE

The Mind’s Canvas: Nonverbals of the Face Detecting Deception: Proceed with Caution! Some Final Thoughts Bibliography Index

165 205 233 235 239

About the Authors Other Books by Joe Navarro with Marvin Karlins Credits Cover Copyright About the Publisher

FOREWORD

I See What You’re Thinking
Marvin Karlins, Ph.D.

T

he man sat stoically at one end of the table, carefully crafting his replies to the FBI agent’s inquiries. He wasn’t considered a major suspect in the murder case. His alibi was believable and he sounded sincere, but the agent pressed on nevertheless. With the suspect’s consent, he was asked a series of questions about the murder weapon: “If you had committed this crime, would you have used a gun?” “If you had committed this crime, would you have used a knife?” “If you had committed this crime, would you have used an ice pick?” “If you had committed this crime, would you have used a hammer?” One of the weapons, the ice pick, had actually been used in the commission of the crime, but that information had been kept from the public. Thus, only the killer would know which object was the real

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