Customer Reviews

Better Beginnings: How to capture your audience in 30 seconds (Rexify, Volume 1)

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The previous 25 reviewers each gave this book five stars. It is unusual for even the best of books to receive a perfect score. I would guess that most of these folks first complimented the author and were then asked to share their feedback on Amazon, i.e., they are not a representative sample of readers. While the material is excellent, it is seriously light on content. I'd like to offer a little balance to the preceding reviews.

The listing on Amazon states that this is a 200-page book. The first sentence begins on page 11. (It's not clear what happened to page numbers 1-10.) The last page of content is numbered 191. Presumably the three blank white pages at the end helped the publisher achieve the nice round number of 200.

Most notably, there are only 59 pages of typed content, and they have ample white space. The remaining pages are beautiful glossy photos, or tiny amounts of text centered on a blank page, ranging from four words to one paragraph. Granted, "some" of the photo pages offer meaning, but claiming that this is a 200 page book is a stretch. It might be better described as a picture book with compelling insights, or a small book with lots of filler.

I was encouraged by the brief section on asking questions, and then frustrated when on page 61, the author suggesting that I Google the phrase "Socratic questioning" so I could "have access to an even wider inventory of question types." Hmmm. After paying $23.95 plus shipping for so little content, I'm of the opinion that this could have been done this for me.

Finally, page 166 contains a truly disturbing photo. It shows a smiling man who appears to be from the Middle East. He is holding the severed head of a goat before the camera, with its tongue hanging out. This poor creature was almost surely fully awake and conscious as his throat was slit, i.e., he suffered a terrifying and agonizing death as he gasped for air and gurgled in his own blood. If it's hard to relate to the suffering of a goat, imagine someone doing the same thing to a terrified squealing puppy, then severing its head and proudly displaying it for the camera. Thanks for sharing!

I hope the next edition has either more content or fewer "pages." I feel like I was misled by both the book description and the reviews. I could also do without the gruesome full-page graphic. It is a bizarre spectacle in a book that's written for business professionals.

I can only imagine that previous reviewers were related to the author and/or worked for Rexi media to give it 5 stars. This book is really poor, I read it cover to cover in less than 15 mins and could summarise all the useful content into a very short paragraph. They type is extra big in an attempt to disguise the fact that it really has nothing to say and every facing page is decorated with a mostly random piece of clip art from an on-line stock photo site. Even if the pictures were at all relevant the book is laid out in such a repetitive and dull way that it becomes irritating to read after a few minutes. It's like a kid's picture book except duller and less useful.

There are so many better books to read about making your presentations engaging like "Made to Stick", "Presentation Zen" and Slide:ology. Don't waste your money buy those instead!

I don't now why other people like this book so much. It is printed on heavy paper, not easy to read. It is light on content and did not at all meet my expectations. There are dozens of books on presentations which offer much better value for money. From the 110 books I bought 2009 my biggest disappointment...

Many of us have been presenting for most of our careers, have sat through numerous presentation training classes, seen ourselves on video, and had 1:1 coaching and training - and yet I found Better Beginnings to be one of the best tools I've come across related to presentations. Dr. Taran really captures and communicates some key concepts that shake you out of your habits - and make you think about how best to connect with your audience. The photographic illustrations are not only beautiful but relevant and make the book an enjoyable experience. Highly recommended!

The book is written to help people involved in public speaking.
But it's worth to be read by anyone. The techniques revealed are illustrated with examples from a wide range of fields: literature, history, philosophy, up-to-date events (so many things to remember or learn!).

It's so interesting that it makes you curious what's on the next page. It is easy to read and understand even if you're very tired.

It's the type of book that makes you say:"wow, she's so right!" or "it's so obvious! How come I did not give it a thought before?"

Not to mention the suggestive and beautiful pictures!

Better Beginnings uses a clever, witty writing style that is easy to follow and hard to put down. It is full of valuable information with great strategies and tactics to gain your audience's attention.

I have read many presentation/communication improvement books that talk about using visuals and grabbing your audience's attention, but they do none of that in their book. Taran, however, practices what she preaches...as she teaches in her book, Taran captures your attention and keeps it!

I would highly recommend, terrific visuals and supportive images...a must for your communication/presentation improvement arsenal.

I fall under the veteran category, having spoken on software for over 15 years and most recently to an audience in excess of 5,000. Better Beginnings has positively affected my Beginnings, Middles and Endings!

The concise and accurate writing makes speakers of any experience truly think about their script, presentation and audience. By presenting the material to invoke thought and not simply pushing theories and experiences lets the reader more effectively conjure their own 'new approach' to speaking.

Kudos Dr. Taran.

... start with the end: This book is a needed and helpful eyeopener for all those of us presenting og speaking in public. After reading it I was thinking: Thanks for guiding my eyes to where they need to be. The first 30 seconds is the most difficult. This "narrow" subject allows the author to go deep, but in a comfortable way. The most important thing for me: The theory is easily translated into practical and understandable examples. I will read it many times over. The design of the book is pleasing to the eye and follows the prinsiples in the book. I should have found this book a little earlier - buy it now!

I recently had the pleasure of hearing Carmen Taran's presentation on Better Beginnings at a conference in San Jose, CA and was compelled to purchase the book. It is a great and succinct read and is filled with valuable tips for giving great presentations. I highly recommend the book for anyone who has any part in producing presentations.

Better Beginnings is an excellent book. It is packed with numerous ideas and is a quick read. The format allows the reader to work with one major concept and develop it into powerful, impactful beginnings. This book is now a valued resource on my bookself and at my side for every presentation that I prepare!