"With the possible exception of Richard Rorty's books, I know of no other study that manages to think so deeply and explain so well how it is that human beings can communicate with each other. In fact, perhaps the book's greatest value is that it not only explains communication but also the myriad ways communication consistently fails (for we do not, after all, see into another person's mind to 'read' his or her thoughts; we only see signs that indicate, 'Take this seriously')."