Travelers to foreign countries often carry handy phrase books to help them navigate uncharted territory. Now there's a guide for getting through tough times in plain English -- an essential selection of well-honed phrases to help you soothe and smooth your way through any prickly situation.

Divided into three sections -- Magic Words to say to yourself, to others, and for universal situations -- this invaluable guide contains the verbal keys to the kingdom. Protect yourself in the midst of a tongue-lashing ("Are you actually yelling at me?"); politely remind an obnoxious cell-phone abuser to be courteous ("Don't forget, you're not in a phone booth"); or chant this mantra when things seem to be slipping over the edge ("If you want to gain control, you have to give up control").