A former international hostage negotiator for the FBI offers a new, field tested approach to high stakes negotiations, whether in the boardroom or at home.

Practically everything we do in life involves negotiation. Many important issues-- the political future of nations, the scope of business, the purchase of a house-- hinge on negotiation. But negotiation is also an integral part of our everyday lives, whether you are resolving a quarrel, creating a family budget, or simply deciding where to eat lunch. Yet it's easy to believe we're usually at a disadvantage-- that others are born negotiators, while...

Shedding new light on the improvisational nature of negotiation, explains how diplomats, deal-makers, and Hollywood producers apply their best practices to everyday transactions.