Getting Past No
Negotiating in Difficult Situations
by William Ury
Reading Profile
Should I read this?
Getting Past No is a practical, step-oriented guide with short chapters and ready-made language to de-escalate conflict and reopen stalled negotiations. what works best is concrete tactics you can try the next day: phrases, sequencing, and control techniques aimed at turning a hard 'no' into a workable conversation. Its main limitation is focus: the book favors bite-sized rules and repetition over long case studies, theoretical depth, or detailed exploration of power imbalances, so complexity can feel flattened.
Read this if...
- •an HR manager mediating a heated team dispute who needs quick scripts and a clear sequence to calm meetings and move parties toward bargaining rather than blame
- •a small-business owner negotiating with a stubborn supplier or client who wants step-by-step moves to reopen talks without escalating to lawyers
- •a parent facing a defiant teenager who wants concrete phrases and de-escalation tactics to break stalemates at home
Skip this if...
- •you'll likely put it down when the same scripted language and short-rule checklist repeats—if you want deep theory, long-form cases, or rich empirical backing, this will feel thin
- •annoying if you prefer narrative-driven memoirs or extended real-world case studies, since chapters prioritize tactics over storytelling or context
- •not for readers who want hands-on practice prompts or structured role-play exercises; the text lacks hands-on exercises and guided practice
Dr. William L. Ury shows listeners how to overcome serious obstacles to negotiation. Whether dealing with an unruly teenager or an office bully, Dr. Ury's method will help listeners gain control in even the most difficult situations. Most importantly, GETTING PAST NO gets results....
Before You Buy
Reading Specifications
Difficulty:easy
Audience Fit
- an HR manager mediating a heated team dispute who needs quick scripts and a clear sequence to calm meetings and move parties toward bargaining rather than blame
- a small-business owner negotiating with a stubborn supplier or client who wants step-by-step moves to reopen talks without escalating to lawyers
- a parent facing a defiant teenager who wants concrete phrases and de-escalation tactics to break stalemates at home
- you'll likely put it down when the same scripted language and short-rule checklist repeats—if you want deep theory, long-form cases, or rich empirical backing, this will feel thin
- annoying if you prefer narrative-driven memoirs or extended real-world case studies, since chapters prioritize tactics over storytelling or context
- not for readers who want hands-on practice prompts or structured role-play exercises; the text lacks hands-on exercises and guided practice
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Why recommended
Recommended by 2 sources and appears in Negotiation, Most Recommended Books, and Leadership.
Recommended by notable people
People and public figures who have recommended this book.
Recommendation Signals
Recommendation proof is sourced from public posts, interviews, reading lists, and cited references.
Tim Ferriss
Author and podcaster
“I think this book and 'Getting to Yes' go together really, really nicely.”
Appears In
Not sure if this is the right fit?
Consider Influence by Robert Cialdini. Recommended by 16 sources.
“This is a book that pulls apart the psychological shortcuts we use to make decisions, then shows how to deploy them in business contexts. The writing is clear and heavy on real-world examples from sales and marketing, which makes the principles stick but can leave you feeling like you’ve just taken a master class in manipulation. Its useful part is giving a language for the invisible forces that shape everyday choices. The main limitation: it can feel overly tactical, as if relationships are just a series of triggers to be pulled, offering little on building genuine influence through trust.”
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How recommendation signals are reviewed
Each recommendation is collected from a public source — interviews, articles, or curated lists — and linked to its original URL. Books with many verifiable recommendations from respected people rank higher.