The Joy of Conversation: The Complete Guide to Salons

Get into the heart of the new movement rediscovering the lost art of conversation. Salons are lively gatherings where people engage in "big talk" -- talk that amuses, challenges, amazes, and is sometimes passionately acted upon. The Joy of Conversation tells you all you need to know about joining salons, organizing them, and energizing them. Also, it provides a fascinating background on great salons in history. This groundbreaking book will inspire you to rediscover the art of conversation in your life.

"Salons are the most stimulating aspect of producing the Utne Reader. When the coffee's strong and the chemistry's right, our conversations seem to tap directly into the zeitgeist. One person's ideas inspire another's and another's.

Since our distant ancestors first gathered around the fire, most cultures have had some social form like the salon. It's just basic to being human -- people need to get together and talk over things they care about and believe in. The current resurgence of salons may herald a turning point in American history. Indeed, salons could be the antidote for the alienation and malaise that currently infects much of America. They're fun. They're glamorous, evocative of 17th Century Paris. And yet they're simple to produce. I believe they might even change the world. Are you up to a cultural revolution?" -- Eric Utne, from his introduction to The Joy of Conversation.