I Can See You Naked [Paperback]

Ron Hoff (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0836280008 | ISBN-13: 978-0836280005 | Publication Date: June 1, 1992 | Edition: Original

A complete guide to public speaking describes the qualities of a good presenter and discusses openings, nervousness, boredom, audiences, and question handling.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing; Original edition (June 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0836280008
• ISBN-13: 978-0836280005
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #173,043 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the almost perfect public speaking textbook, March 9, 2001

By 

Dr. Susan Z. Swan - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Can See You Naked (Paperback)

College bookstores do a brisk "buy back" business at the end of each term. Since I started using "Naked" in my basic public speaking classes, the bookstore has to regularly order new editions because so many students want to keep this book! Hoff captures vividly the sense of public speaking as a MUTUAL RELATIONSHIP, not a one-way autocracy. His coverage of communication apprehension/speech fright is excellent as is his coverage of first impressions, delivery, and audience analysis (which includes language use and setting analysis). His coverage of organization is less developed, but it is a treat to see his use of classical Roman rhetoric in establishing a basic organizational pattern (although he is incorrect in claiming that Cicero wrote the first manual of oratory---that credit goes to the earlier Greeks, Corax and Tisias). This book moves basic public speaking out of an artificial classroom setting to the larger world in which students will spend their professional and personal lives. Hoff's enthusiasm and experience go a long way to convincing readers that they too can achieve "the perfect moment" in connecting with an audience. Bravo!

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Naked Truth, February 26, 2007

By 

Edwin C. Pauzer (New York City) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: I Can See You Naked (Paperback)

This book was one of my sources for my masters thesis: "A Systematic Approach to Making Presentations in a Corporate and Sales Environment." You can probably find some useful information in all of these books, but this one was the least effective for me.

The author suggests that one way to overcome nervousness is to imagine that your audience is naked. Hence, the provocative title. For the nervous presenter, it would be completely distracting to imagine your audience in the nude.

I eagerly turned to the part about "presence" or "charisma," not having been able to find an empirical definition for one. To my disappointment, the author gave an example of what it wasn't. Any definition he wrote, wasn't memorable.

So, here are my three suggestions for presenters and trainers:

* Never show up twenty minutes late to teach Time Management. No matter what you say, your credibility is shot to hell.

* Never pop in the video or DVD and turn the lights out, especially after lunch. (You'll never get them back.)

* ENSURE that you turn off the battery pack to your lapel microphone before using the restroom. (The speakers are still in the room.)

Recommendation for the book? It can't hurt, but read some of the more glowing reviews before you decide.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Trainer's Bible, February 16, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: I Can See You Naked (Paperback)

I've been training trainers for five years and I consider this book my bible. It's the best investment I've ever made. I had fun reading it and was able to apply what I learned immediately in my training. Ron Hoff addresses just about everything one should know before speaking in front of a group and he does it with humor and heart. He is my training hero! I try to re-read it every few months for fresh inspiration and motivation.