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I eagerly sought out out this book when it was published, just like many other patrons at my local library. If they are like me, they are as fascinated by the power and the pitfalls of electronic mail. Who wouldn’t want to read about something that has become such a part of our lives? And honestly, when has anyone ever sat down with you and said, “Okay, here is how you can use e-mail well?” I have learned everything I know from experience, and tips along the way. In each case, it’s been so interesting to realize that every tip I have received I have incorporated in one form or another, I think because I was hungry for the guidance.

On to the book. I think if I were to rename it, I would call it “(don’t) SEND.” It does a very nice job of letting the reader know all of the pitfalls of e-mail. I’d probably own many of them in my past, or should I say I’ve learned about each best practice over time. I liked the part where it discussed the main types of e-mail that make people get up from their desk, and not in a happy way. There are a few tips, like, use contractions, don’t be so formal, and maybe some guidance on when being overly formal is not a good thing. There are a few good stories about “the e-mail that was forwarded around the world.”

Overall, the advice steers toward good common sense and courtesy, and I would probably recommend this book for someone who was starting out in the business world. I also wouldn’t be opposed to a pamphlet form being used in new employee orientations (and I’m serious about that - everyone should have a measure of good e-mail hygeine). I think, though, that this book is meant more to be checked out from the library rather than being purchased - it’s a smaller volume that can be read pretty quickly.

One thing that’s interesting for me is the fact that I was drawn to the book because of my curiosity around business communication, and the book tends to focus on business communication. What does that say about our overall orientation to the business world compared to our orientation to the interpersonal world? I think everyone should get a course in both.

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