Nancy Armstrong and Melissa Wagner are freelance writers living in Philadelphia. They wave their hands when they talk, and are keen interpreters of gestures glimpsed across crowded bars. They are the co-authors of Field Guide to Stains (Quirk Books, 2003).

Finally, a field guide to interpreting more than 100 international gestures, from the wave to the finger, from the shrug to the nod.

Here's easy access to the essential information about common (and some not-so-common) gestures you may encounter at home or abroad. Field Guide to Gestures is organized into handy sections for quick reference when time is of the essence and interpretation is everything. If a man bends his torso forward when meeting you, turn to the "Arrival/Departure" chapter to learn more about the bowing gesture. When the woman at the end of the bar flips her hair and looks your way, turn to the "Mating" chapter to learn just what she's trying to say. And if your friend has intertwined his index finger and middle fingers as the night's lottery numbers are being read, go to "No Words Needed" to learn more about the crossed fingers gesture.

This practical guide includes more than 100 full-color photographs of the world's most common gestures, plus cross-referenced descriptions throughout, including historical background and common usage. Helpful step-by-step directions and detailed line drawings teach you how to perform each gesture correctly.