Adler, Nancy. International Dimensions of Organizational Behavior (third edition).
Cincinnati: South-Western College Publishing, 1997.

She's very bright, clear and organized, American style. If you are just setting up your intercultural library, I suggest starting with this book.
Bennett, Milton (editor). Basic Concepts of Intercultural Communication.
Yarmouth: Intercultural Press, 1998.

The book contains several key articles on intercultural communication theory. Milton and Janet Bennett's separate essays on the cultural adjustment process are especially useful. This is a must book for trainers and consultants.
Brake, Terence, Walker Danielle and Walker, Thomas. Doing Business Internationally: The Guide to Cross-Cultural Success. New York: McGraw Hill, 1995.

Chapter 2, on cultural parameters, is excellent. The authors don't oversimplify or talk down to the reader. The emphasis is practical and the book is geared towards businesspeople rather than consultants. I always include chapter 2 in the syllabus I use for cross-cultural communication and cross-cultural management courses.
Hall, Edward T. The Hidden Dimension. New York: Anchor Books, 1966, 1982.
Hall, Beyond Culture. New York: Anchor Books, 1976, 1981.
Hall, The Dance of Life. New York: Anchor Books, 1983.
Hall, The Silent Language. New York: Anchor Books, 1959, 1981.

He's the anthropologist who is the guru and father of the intercultural field. His books are interesting and important. In Beyond Culture, Hall distinguishes between high and low context cultures. This is probably the least understood cultural parameter.
Hofstede, Geert. Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind.
London: McGraw Hill, 1991.

Don't leave for a workshop without it. Hofstede is a Dutch sociologist who's conducted some of the only serious research on cultural differences in the workplace. I've found his work on power distance especially useful.
Katriel, Tamar. Communal Webs: Communication and Culture in Contemporary Israel. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1991.

The book contains a collection of essays on patterns of communication and culture in contemporary Israel. I especially like "b'chibudim" which has become a classic. Katriel looks at the ritual of snack-sharing among Israeli children as a reflection of Israeli group-oriented culture. The book is also available in Hebrew (see below).
Katriel, Tamar. Melot Mafteach. Haifa: University of Haifa Press, 1999.
Katriel, Tamar. Talking Straight: Dugri Speech in Israeli Sabra Culture.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1986.

Katriel discusses the origins and cultural significance of the dugri "(abrupt)" communication style.

Shahar, Lucy and Kurz, David. Border Crossings: American Interactions with Israelis. Yarmouth: Intercultural Press, 1995.

What can I say that doesn't sound as though I'm bragging? David and I have been pleased by the positive feedback we've received. If you're interested in reading more, please look for a description of the book at the Intercultural Press website or at Amazon.com. The Amazon site also contains reader reviews. Although we wrote the book for Americans doing business with Israelis or engaged in social interactions with their Israeli peers, it's proved popular with Europeans as well.
Triandis, Harry C. Individualism and Collectivism. San Francisco: Westview, 1995.

Triandis is a social psychologist who has conducted seminal research in the intercultural field. The book is a serious and fascinating piece of work. He examines one of the most critical cultural parameters.
Trompenaars, Fons and Hampden-Turner, Charles. Riding the Waves of Culture: Understanding Diversity in Global Business. London: Nicholas Brealy,1997.

Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner examine cultural differences from a European, rather than an American perspective. This, in itself, is refreshing. They discuss seven key cultural parameters and bring in examples from business and everyday life. The book's focus is on business and it contains useful tips arranged in an intelligent manner.

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