Customer Reviews

The Art of Public Speaking, 9th Edition

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I use this text to teach speech. It is a very good, systematic look at creating and delivering a speech. The system is great and the presentation is great.

However, you may be irritated like I am that the examples of mistakes are overwhelmingly made by males, who don't hold PC views, such as the business man who makes a big deal, the student who questions global warming theory, the student who doesn't want to attend the anti-war talk, the library volunteer who goes to church. While Lucas can't directly attack their positions, when he needs an example of a speech mistake, these are the people he chooses. It definitely detracts from an otherwise flawless book, especially when he is so preachy about respecting other viewpoints.

I resent having to buy yet another super-expensive college textbook with basic information, expanded to four times what it needs to be, and packaged with useless CD's ($100 plus). While the written material is thorough, it could be condensed to 100-150 pages. Does public speaking really change so much that an "updated" edition is warranted within two years?

To me, it's another distasteful example of college textbook publishers gouging students, and the colleges going along with it. Thanks.

Wow... I didn't think anyone could say the same thing so many different ways and so many different times and sell their book. The only reason this book sells is because their are good salesman who convene department head to use this book.

I read the text book cover to cover and after writting my notes out from the whole book, my notes were only four pages long, this book is a waste of time.

I will admit their are several quotes and passages that made me chuckle but, over all this is not a good buy.

I am selling my book back and I'm only half way through my semester.

Save yourself money by buying the newest old edition. It saved me $55 and its the same word for word as the 10th edition, just the cover and a few pics are different.

I would have never looked at this book before i needed it for class, but it is a good source for preparing for any type of public speaking occasion. It is truly helpful. The text has examples and the examples of speeches are usually also in video form on the CD's that come with the text. Also, there are CD's so that you can listen to the chapter (in your car) for example. I personally read each chapter and used the CD's for extra review... Good source for Public Speaking classes, or preparing for any type of presentation.

I ordered this book for my speech class on-line because it was cheaper than at my school's bookstore. Even though I didn't read all of the assigned chapters, the ones that I DID read were very informative and I think I've learned a lot. The author is using "simple" English that is easy to digest for even "the dumbest" students.

Bought this after I learned that the school was selling the same book for way to much. I ended up getting in on here for about $5 and it was in great condition. Very happy with my purchase, and with the extra money I took the wife out to dinner.

Everything was included but the code you need to log onto the Lucas website. Therefore you would still have to purchase the code for $15.00, so really it is not any less expensive than any other seller....

I bought the book for a college class and it serves it purpose well. The book was in good condition to be used.

Most of the complaints come from the author allegedly using left wing examples. This is not necessarily true. If you are giving an important speech in front of a large audience you must be politically correct. You don't won't to end up like Trent Lott do you? An example is given like this: You're giving a speech on Veterans Day about the sacrifices of service members. You start off by saying you would like to thank all the spouses for supporting the veterans during war time. That would be inclusive language. Today it would be better to thank all the spouses AND partners for coming out to the ceremony(covering the gay community and bf's/gf's). I do agree that the book could have been condensed from 18 chapters to about 10. The language is simplistic because it is usually taken within the first semester or two of college.