Talk to Me: How to Ask Better Questions, Get Better Answers, and Interview Anyone Like a Pro

The ever elusive question of “what is your major” burned past it’s prime during the course of my undergraduate degree at PLNU. It wasn’t until I took Dean’s class that I felt the rush of adrenaline and interest of words and became enthralled in the way he talked about his craft. Reading this book 15 years later, has reawakened my love affair with words, but not just any words- honest words; that evoke empathy and compassion and storytelling that Dean seems to effortlessly and eloquently pen so well. Great book for inquiring journalism students.

Dean Nelson is a journalism professor - OK, there are plenty of good ones. But unlike many of his peers, Dean also has the bylines to back up his teaching credentials. He also possesses humor in spades and with this book, has combined his amusing anecdotes from various experiences as an investigative reporter with highly usable practical advice. If you interview people for any purpose, you must buy this book. If you're a writer by trade or that's your path, it's truly essential.

If Dean Nelson is writing: I'm reading. Whatever he writes I want to read, and I've been reading him for years. This book is at the top of his long list: it's a fabulous textbook that is a real 'page-turner'; it's a fabulous 'page-turner' that's an amazing teaching tool. This book is readable, practical, and hilarious. Contemporary writers abound in this book who have "talked" with Dean about the craft of writing and talking. Allusions abound to culture, literature, and history to feed the reader on the que vie. And the writing itself "sings" -- the reader is carried along by Nelson's verve and voice. But to be honest, I'm waiting for the book by Nelson that focuses on Nelson -- put it in the pantheon of books titled "Conversations with Myself" -- but that one of his would be at the top. Come on, Nelson, do us all a favor and make that your next book. Thanks in Advance.

Not a journalist but found this really helpful for professional life and how to ask questions and listen in relationships.

Enjoyed reading Dean's stories and picked up useful pointers for asking better questions outside of journalism.

Made me think about how I approach others. Very well written.

As a longtime journalism professor, I've read many books on interviewing. This is the best ever. It is informative and entertaining at the same time. Full of stories that make Nelson's points. Students will love reading this book--and learning from it.