Metaphors We Live by

Indispensable classic in psychology & epistemology

One of the few books that can fundamentally change the way you think about psychology, language, and the theory of knowledge. Profound concepts written in plain language.

An exploration of the use of metaphor

Much detail illustrating how metaphores pervade the way we speak. Cliches of course but it is difficult to avoid metaphor even in mathematics.

Intriguing idea but a bit heavy going.

Not what it was advertised to be

I've had this book on my reading list for years, and when I finally got it was so disappointed. It is overly theoretical, not applicable to every day language and practice, too far removed from our experience to prove valuable.
I do group facilitation, teach team building, train technical/digital equipment and other forms of corporate communications. I love those who are talented enough to use metaphor in the vernacular to draw diverse groups of people toward a new way of conceptualizing a topic. I expected this book to reveal some uses and examples and insights into metaphor - it was too hard to relate to and i gave up after hours of trying. Sorry to say. It could be a fascinating subject - in fact, it is. Only not written about here it in the best light/insight. I opened the cover thinking I'd found a gem - I tried to get into it only to realize no amount rubbing compound could make it shine.
Chris

Aristotle identified metaphor as the most crucial figure in the arsenal of the poet. Lakoff and Johnson argue that this can be taken even further: metaphor might be the most crucial figure for all of human understanding! This classic book on linguistics is very accessible, and will immediately find its way into your everyday thinking.