On one occasion or another, we have all found ourselves in a position where we felt obliged to offer an apology. In fact, it is interesting to note how frequently we find ourselves in these predicaments, and how quickly and instinctively we tend to blurt out "I'm sorry" or "I apologize" or "Pardon me" for even the smallest breaches of decorum. More interesting still is the ability of an apology to "set things right" - to resolve conflicts, repair broken trust, and restore social equilibrium. In this book, Jason Adsit addresses four key questions about our practice of apologizing: What is an apology? What are the main types of apologies? What are the primary aims and functions of apologies? And finally, what role do apologies play in social interaction?