Customer Reviews

Great Speeches For Better Speaking (Book + Audio CD): Listen and Learn from History's Most Memorable Speeches

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

 

 

'Great Speeches for Better Speaking' is a guide to oratory and, in this capacity, serves as a good tool for educating readers about what rhetoric meant, means and should mean in a democratic society. Through the chosen speeches and the author's analysis of each speech, the book persuades the reader that rhetoric is an art worth studying, a craft to be mastered and practiced because of its power and influence on human belief and behavior. The author did a good job supporting his ideas by way of example, through historical backgrounds, and brief biographical introductions to each speaker. Overall the book offers a good learning experience and it is worth reading.

Herds of Toastmasters and orators alike will call "More, More, More" after reading "Great Speeches for Better Speaking." Its engaging style, organization, and content (text and compact disks) are a refreshing break from the "blah, blah, blah" of books about public speaking. I eagerly await its sequel.

I found this book to be an enjoyable and enlightening read. The CD that is included is a great bonus! This book should impact and be applicable for any demographic. `Great Speeches for Better Speaking' drips of history and ties together why and how rhetoric, as it relates to public speaking, is so very important.

For the casual reader who enjoys history and what goes on behind the scenes of some of the most important speeches of our time, to the intellectual who strives to learn the integral parts of what makes a speech work or not work; this book caters to all.

I'm certain the author had a difficult time in narrowing down and selecting the speeches for this book, which begs the question, will there be more?

This is a good book. The style is informative but not stuffy. It has contributed to my speaking skill. This is not for those new to presentations due to it's lack of exercises. You'll have to design your own exercises to apply what you've read.

This book has it all!! From the `everyman' looking to improve his skills of public address, to the scholar looking to better understand the stylistic tools used in some of history's most famous rhetoric...this book will not disappoint! The author truly shows the power of the spoken word. Through his informative analysis of historical speakers and their speeches, he is able to help the reader form a better understanding about the art of public speaking. In turn, this breakdown helped me develop a stronger base in which to enhance my own public speaking skills. Whether you're a high school student or a direct descendent of Aristotle you're in for a great read!!

It would be nice when books like this are sold to tell the buyer what speeches are on the enclosed disc. In this case there are three: Ronald Reagan's "Space Shuttle Challenger" Address, Edward M Kennedy's "Faith and Country, Tolerance and Truth in America", and "Douglas MacArthur's Thayer Award Acceptance Address. I was somewhat disappointed with this all old white men approach, but certainly they're good speeches to analyse. So long as you know what you're buying.

This book serves as an excellent companion to address the fundamental ideals of rhetoric techniques with flair. The refreshing approach addresses the varied elements which contribute to the development of a speech that gains attention in today's challenging environment. The CD proves a great asset to illustrate each specific element. Perhaps, best used as a complimentary tool after basic foundation is established.