A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Podium : The Speaker's Complete Guide to Great Jokes, Anecdotes, and Stories [Paperback]

Herbert V. Prochnow (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 30, 1998

"[Prochnow] . . . wrote the book on public speaking."

—The Chicago Rotary Club

"A wonderful collection! This is must reading for all who give speeches."

—James W. Robinson, author of Better Speeches in 10 Simple Steps

"A veritable treasure chest—all in one volume."

—American Banker

Add sparkle to your speeches and introductions. Enliven your conversations with humor and memorable facts so that important ideas will not be forgotten.

With more than 2,000 epigrams, literary quotations, anecdotes from biographies, humorous stories, inspiring illustrations, and interesting facts, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Podium is the essential reference you need to present your ideas colorfully and effectively. Inside you'll find:

• 500 humorous stories
• 500 epigrams and quips
• 160 unusual quotations from world leaders through the ages
• 292 humorous definitions
• 100 stories and comments from unusual lives
• 190 statements on important subjects by great thinkers
• 209 wise and witty proverbs
• and so much more!

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Podium is great for any occasion and makes for enjoyable browsing too!

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

You've been asked to speak in front of the local Wildebeest Lodge: "Just 20 minutes on the importance of saving for one's retirement--and keep it light and lively." Your speech, while helpful and informative, isn't exactly entertaining. You have nightmares of being pelted with dinner rolls by a herd of angry Wildebeest in response to your boring speech. Where can you turn for help?

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Podium is a collection of more than 2,000 stories, epigrams, definitions, proverbs, and literary quotations compiled by Herbert V. Prochnow, author of the bestselling The Public Speaker's Treasure Chest. The entries are loosely grouped by type (such as "Stories and Comments from Unusual Lives," "The Wisdom of Proverbs," and "Did You Know These Facts?") rather than topic, but a handy index points you to relevant topics--including 2 entries on "retirement," 8 entries on "economy," and 35 entries on "money." The first half of the book, "Humorous Stories," may raise only a few chuckles, but the quirky facts (for example, "Cuba would reach from New York to Chicago") and clever definitions ("Class reunion: Where everyone gets together to see who is falling apart") in the second half are more useful and also make for entertaining browsing. This collection was previously published in 1993 under the title Speaker's & Toastmaster's Handbook--so if you're looking for topical humor, you'll have to look elsewhere. If you're looking for tasteful jokes and witty quotations, however, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Podium is a handy source. --C.B. Delaney

Review

Knock 'Em Dead!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Prima Lifestyles (June 30, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076151452X
• ISBN-13: 978-0761514527
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,709,882 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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