How to Speak How to Listen [Paperback]

Mortimer J. Adler (Author)

Book Description

Release date: April 1, 1997

[This is the Audiobook CD Library Edition in vinyl case.]

[Read by Harold Cropp]

Mortimer J. Adler's classic How to Read a Book was an instant bestseller upon publication, and its worldwide sales today total over seven million copies. Audiences will find this companion book just as provocative as its predecessor.

Drawing on decades of experience as an educator and philosopher, Mortimer J. Adler offers a short course in effective communication, filled with his wisdom and wit. Both instructive and practical, How to Speak, How to Listen will be invaluable to everyone: salespeople and executives involved in conferences and negotiations, politicians, lecturers, and teachers, as well as families seeking to improve communication among themselves.

--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

''[Adler] offers us both a fascinating theoretical analysis of oral communication and practical tips derived from his long years of experience. This book will be appreciated by anyone who ever has to get up before an audience and speak.'' --Chicago Tribune --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

About the Author

Mortimer J. Adler was Chairman of the Board of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, Director of the Institute for Philosophical Research, and Honorary Trustee of the Aspen Institute. He authored more than fifty books.

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone; 1st Touchstone Ed edition (April 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684846470
• ISBN-13: 978-0684846477
• Product Dimensions: 4.4 x 0.8 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,478 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #37 in Books > Education & Reference > Words, Language & Grammar > Communication

More About the Author

Mortimer Jerome Adler (December 28, 1902 - June 28, 2001) was an American philosopher, educator, and popular author. As a philosopher he worked within the Aristotelian and Thomistic traditions. He lived for the longest stretches in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, and San Mateo. He worked for Columbia University, the University of Chicago, Encyclopædia Britannica, and Adler's own Institute for Philosophical Research. Adler was married twice and had four children.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

120 of 124 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The first 90 pages are worth their weight in gold! November 25, 1996

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

This is the best book, bar none, that I have ever seen on this subject. Adler takes some of the classical Greek writers ideas about persuasive speaking and "updates" them, makes them more understandable, and provides concrete illustrations of how it is done. He helps you to better grasp the process of outlining, and provides an example of a speech he had given that employs the "methodology" of the text. Very readable, very insightful

168 of 178 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A Fabulous Teacher June 17, 2000

By Edward Jenkins

Format:Paperback

I was hoping that this would be the only book I would need as a guide to developing my knowledge and skill as a public speaker. Rather, the book is about the oral communication process in all contexts. Thus delivering prepared speeches, in particular the lecture, was just one element of it. There is considerable emphasis on the listening component--rightfully so, given that Adler argues that listening well is the component of verbal communication that is the most difficult to learn and teach, and hence the most lacking. The book is a companion to Adler's "How to Read a Book", and in fact there are numerous references to it. Although the book turned out to be something different than I had hoped, I nevertheless found it beneficial. It is packed with helpful ideas and guidelines on speaking and listening in various contexts. I also enjoyed reading the book because it helped me to improve my vocabulary, which is one of the side benefits of reading any book by Adler. He is truly a fine teacher.

A few of the key points include: Silent listening vs. active listening, Guidelines for note-taking, Several do's and don'ts of effective conversation, and Instructive speech vs. persuasive speech

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear Points about Speaking and Listening from a Master Communicator December 19, 2011

By Philip Vassallo

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Mortimer J. Adler's "How to Speak How to Listen" makes several instructive points for the practical person seeking a theoretical framework as well as the novice professional speaker and meeting participant. These suggestions also connect well to writing at work.

Adler suggests an order for introducing into a presentation Aristotle's time-tested tripartite of persuasion as follows: ethos (credibility), pathos (emotion), and logos (logic). In addition, he examines two indispensable considerations of speech preparation, once again borrowing from Greek: taxis (the structure) and lexis (the language).

Some of his observations are memorable:

"Always risk talking over (your audience's) heads."

"Truly great books ... are the few books that are over everybody's head all of the time."

In speeches, "On the one hand, the language employed and the sentences constructed should be clear without being plain. On the other hand, they should have a certain elevation above the ordinary without being obscure."

"The most prevalent mistake that people make about both listening and reading is to regard them as passively receiving rather than actively participating."

"To disagree before you understand is impertinent. To agree is inane."