Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended on It

Voss writes that “kidnappers are just businessmen trying to get the best price,” and he should know; before founding a consulting firm, the Black Swan Group, he spent over two decades as an FBI hostage negotiator. While taking an executive negotiating course at Harvard, he realized that his hostage-saving techniques were well suited to the business world. Voss, who believes that “life is negotiation,” has set out to help readers get what they want out of any given situation, without harming the other parties. Along with telling stories of his time in the FBI, he guides readers through key lessons, such as how to “confront without confrontation,” understand an opponent’s emotions, become good at saying no, manipulate your opponent’s reality, and develop the calm but authoritative vocal style he calls “the late-night FM DJ voice.” Chatty and friendly and packed with helpful resources, this is an intriguing approach to business and personal negotiations. [em]Agent: Steve Ross, Abrams Artists Agency. (May) [/em]