Barker, L. L., & K. W. Watson (2000). Listen up: How to improve relationships, reduce stress, and be more productive by using the power of listening. New York: St. Martin's Press. This is an easy-to-read guide on listening by two listening experts. The authors begin by outlining the payoffs for improving listening skills, offer instruction on identifying listening styles and bad listening habits, and then teach skills that will help readers gain more control when communicating. There is a chapter on listening differences between men and women. This is a conversational, anecdotal book full of research-based, sound advice.

Clemmer, J. (2004). Why smart managers master the art of listening well. Retrieved December 10, 2004, from http://www.clemmer.ca/globe/listen.htm. Clemmer discusses the one crucial ingredient that many companies that talk passionately about being market-driven and customer focused overlook—the ability to listen well. He points out that good customer listening helps organizations avoid expensive service or quality overkills. There is great use of examples in this brief article.

Gerlach, P. K. (2004, Oct.20). Summary: Seven communications skills your parents probably didn't know—Stepfamily in formation. Stepfamily Association of Illinois, Inc. Retrieved December 10, 2004, from: http://slfhelp.org/02/7cx-skills.htm. Gerlach discusses seven relationship skills: awareness, dig down, clear thinking, empathic listening, respectful assertion, metatalk, and problem solving or conflict resolution. Click on empathic listening and the linked website http://slfhelp.org/02/listen.htm "Empathic listening: Listen with your heart," overviews what the skill is, the steps it requires, when to use it, what it sounds like, and common alternatives. This is a practical, useful, important website.

Lovitt, J. W. (2002). Who's listening anyway? A guide to effective listening. Austin, TX: Landmarc Publishing. In this 125-page book, Lovitt, teacher of courses in organizational development, corporate and personal coach, consultant, trainer, and writer living in San Antonio, Texas, writes that listening is essential for personal and professional success. The book covers the nature of the listening process, roadblocks and traps to avoid, and conditions necessary for listening. There are scales and inventories to measure listening skill, workplace examples relevant to leaders, managers, and team members, and imaginative and humorous drawings. This is an enjoyable book.

Milne, H. (1998). The heart of listening: A visionary approach to craniosacral work, 2nd ed. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books. In this 500-page work, Milne describes, in detail, the anatomy, physiology, and energetics of the craniosacral system. Here, readers will find the most complete list of craniosacral techniques in print with clearly written descriptions of each technique, along with technically accurate photographs. This is a complete text for practitioners who want to expand and deepen the healing process with their clients. There is great wisdom here and Milne's depth of experience and valuable insight are not only genuine and worthwhile, but can be read and digested again and again.

Nichols, M. (1996). The lost art of listening. New York: Guilford Press. In this 251-page book, Nichols distills years of clinical wisdom and forthrightly explains why listening is the fundamental psychotherapeutic skill. The book serves as a wake-up call to remind professionals that listening is difficult, and it should not be an assumed skill. His practical advise is a specifically designed to improve our most important relationships and , ultimately, who we are. Although written in an academic style, the information is presented in a clear, interesting manner and is intended for anyone who wants to relate to and connect with people.

Palmer, P. J. (1999). Let your life speak: Listening for the voice of cocation. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. In this 128-page book, Palmer avoids how-to-formulas and five-step plans and uses, instead, intricate metaphors, poetry, self-revelation, and fireside wisdom to share his mistakes and stories as he has sought to listen to the voice within. He reflects upon vocation, spirit, and the life journey with depth, insight, inspiration, and challenge. The book is personal without being preachy. It is also conversational and useful for those struggling to make early decisions about vocation.

Schilling, D. (2002). Be an effective listener!: Womens media.com. Retrieved December 10, 2004, from: http://www.womensmedia.com/seminar-listening.htm Schilling covers listening as a master skill, barriers to listening, listening out loud, ten steps to effective listening, and more listening tips. Her advice is brief and to-the-point.

Shafir, R. Z. (2000). The zen of listening: Mindful communication in the age of distraction. Wheaton, IL: Quest Books. Shafir, chief of speech pathology at Massachusetts's Lahey Clinic, with over 25 years of clinical experience helping patients learn to speak, goes beyond the mechanics of good listening behavior to an approach requiring relaxation, focus, and a desire to learn from the speakers' perspective. She defines listening as "The willingness to see a situation through the eyes of the speaker." The book includes specific exercises, activities, and strategies for improving awareness, and her practical advice is especially valuable for counselors and those in the helping professions.

Shapiro, S. (2000). Listening for success: How to master the most important skill of network marketing. Winnipeg, Canada: Chica (Community and Hospital Infection Control Association) Publications. Shapiro's 50-page, how-to book, is written in a clear, simple, entertaining style. He includes a how-to model for listening. This easy-to-read book is full of personal stories that illustrate the power and pitfalls of listening. For greater personal power, increased attractiveness, improved human relations skills, and more personal and professional success, this quick-read is especially good for those involved in sales and network marketing.

Wolvin, A. D. & Coakley, C. G. (1995). Listening, 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill. This comprehensive textbook on listening examines the need for, process of, and types of listening. The authors look at appreciative, discriminative, comprehensive, therapeutic, and critical listening. This is a useful, well-documented resource.