Best Selling Customer Service Books (2026): 5 Compared

A manager who needs a team to handle complaints with calm, and a reader who wants stronger service habits, will find a starting point in the best selling customer service books in this list. The list compares fit, contents and edition, and value, using only what each listing publishes.

ShelfAnswers earns a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure.

The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Training 101 by Evenson	9.8/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Survival Kit by Gallagher	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Tip of the Week by Toister	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Loyalty Is Priceless by Gitomer	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Secret Service by DiJulius	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Training 101 by Evenson

Renee Evenson·9.8/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A training manual with scenarios and exercises, for team managers, less suited to weekly-tip readers.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• Third edition, December 14, 2017, AMACOM
• Scenarios, guidelines, practice exercises
• First impressions, listening, needs, complaints

Cons

• 240 pages, long for weekly readers
• Team focus, less direct solo
• No reading age or grade stated

2

Survival Kit by Gallagher

Richard Gallagher·9.7/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A guide to difficult situations, for front-line employees, less suited to weekly-tip readers.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• Techniques, case studies, practice exercises
• Criticism, trigger phrases, feeling heard, bad news
• AMACOM, 208 pages, front-line focus

Cons

• First edition, March 20, 2013, no newer stated
• Difficult-situation focus, narrow for general basics
• No reading age or grade stated

3

Tip of the Week by Toister

Jeff Toister·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Weekly tips with short explanations, for readers and leaders, less suited to long-manual readers.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• More than 52 tips, short explanations, suggestions
• Tips by category, challenge, or order
• September 5, 2018, for leaders sharing tips

Cons

• No edition stated in the listing
• Short tips, limited depth per topic
• No reading age or grade stated

4

Loyalty Is Priceless by Gitomer

Jeffrey Gitomer·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A book on turning satisfied customers into loyal customers, for loyalty readers, less suited to exercise seekers.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• Turning satisfied customers into loyal customers
• June 12, 1998, Bard Press, 288 pages
• By a nationally syndicated columnist and sales trainer

Cons

• First edition, June 12, 1998, no newer stated
• 288 pages, longest print length here
• No reading age or grade stated

5

Secret Service by DiJulius

John R. DiJulius III·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A book on hidden systems behind memorable service, for systems readers, less suited to weekly-tip readers.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• Hidden systems of memorable-service companies
• Complaints, retention, Customer Experience Cycle
• January 28, 2003, AMACOM, 172 pages

Cons

• Edition listed only as Standard, no numbered edition
• Systems across industries, broad for single-industry readers
• No reading age or grade stated

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

More picks to compare

• Customer Service Skills by LucasFor students who want a course-style customer service book in three partsCheck on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 25 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level. No pick states a reading age or grade level, so that part does not change the ranking. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best selling customer service books

Training manual or weekly tips

Manuals suit a team that needs a shared routine, while weekly tips suit a reader who wants a short weekly focus. Training 101 by Evenson gives scenarios and exercises for a team, while Tip of the Week by Toister gives a short tip to share.

Edition and page count

Training 101 by Evenson is a Third edition from 2017, at 240 pages, while Loyalty Is Priceless by Gitomer is a First edition from 1998, at 288 pages. Recent editions suit current training; see customer service books and business books.

Difficult situations or company systems

Survival Kit by Gallagher focuses on difficult situations, while Secret Service by DiJulius focuses on hidden systems across industries.

Before you buy

• Check edition and date: editions range from 1998 to 2018.
• Check book type: manual, situation guide, weekly tip book or systems book.
• Check print length: 168 pages to 288 pages here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should a reader start?

Start with fit: managers can start with Training 101 by Evenson, weekly readers with Tip of the Week by Toister.

Which book suits difficult situations?

Survival Kit by Gallagher, with techniques, case studies and practice exercises.

Which edition should a buyer check?

Check edition and date: Training 101 is a Third edition from 2017, Loyalty Is Priceless a First edition from 1998.

Still deciding? Our top pickTraining 101 by Evenson

Check price on Amazon

Related lists

See every business books list and all nonfiction lists.

More lists: browse nonfiction, customer service books and marketing selling books.