Customer Reviews

Public Speaking For Dummies

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I have been giving speeches for the past 16 years, and am well acquainted with the ropes. I was looking for a book that wouldn't just tell me "how not to be nervous" etc., but a book that would sharpen my speeches and make me a more polished speaker. Well, that's exactly what happened. I took Malcolm's ideas and started incorporating them into all my talks, classes, and speeches. It seems that overnight, I was being complimented more and more, and I myself feel that my speeches have much more "pizzaz" - but not only. They also are more well-built, educational, and get my points across fast. Malcolm Kushner's book is also very humorous. Perhaps sometimes the humor is just a little bit TOO much, but the easy, informative way he writes is a real treasure. Recommended!

While I am not a huge fan of buying a book advertised as being for "dummies," I find the "...for Dummies" series to be very helpful for those of us unfamiliar with a certain topic. Needless to say, I am very unfamiliar with public speaking, unless you count the class I had in high school ten years ago, which I barely remember.

I am grateful for Kushner for taking a complex topic and making it easy to understand. Even though I am naturally outgoing and like to talk to groups, I wanted to learn an effective method of public speaking. I picked up the book because some friends and I have started an internet broadcast (called a podcast) and I wanted tips and suggestions on how to improve my speaking ability and organizational skills. I eventually want to branch out and do public speaking.

Generally, I liked the book, and even read it in a single day. I especially enjoyed the chapters about speech organization and the ones about voice and body language. I am going to practice his techniques during my spare time before either the mirror or a camera, to try to make them come more naturally. I am also going to thoroughly prepare for any speech I make, using the methods outlined in this book. He gives plenty of tips on how to start a speech, how to end one, and how to fill the speeches with humor and other interesting elements. Even though the book is an overview, putting his many suggestions into practice will keep anyone busy for awhile.

The only drawback to this book is that being a "...for Dummies" book, I feel like I need to read another more advanced book to actually get the best handle possible on public speaking. While I am glad this book is for complete beginners, some of the material is more about basic time management skills and common-sense psychology than public speaking. Also, I expected to read something about how to record myself and then how to evaluate/correct any mistakes I made. I didn't read anything about this. Webcams and microphones are so cheap these days that it only makes sense to suggest recording yourself speaking, and then watch it and evaluate it. I know that just editing my own (and others') podcast talks has helped me see how often I use "um," trail off, and ramble.

Overall, this is a very helpful and easy-to-read introduction to public speaking, with many advanced suggestions thrown in. I would suggest that anyone interested in public speaking read this book, and then get out and practice, practice, practice. That is what I plan to do.

While the author entices the reader with a fair measure of humor, ensuring that the book is a lot more interesting than the generic title would suggest, the humor doesn't detract from the informative nature of the work. The writing style is clear and the author takes a comprehensive approach to his subject. He provides an abudance of advice to various types of speakers. I have already put some of Mr. Kushner's ideas into practice, and have noticed that my audiences are more attentive -- and I am more confident. I recommend this book highly!!!

This is filled with good tips for speakers. As past president of Toastmasters in Monticello, I highly recommend this as a good review for polished speakers and a good introduction to the basics for beginning speakers.
I would have liked to know alittle bit more, however, how speakers can connect with different kinds of audiences..that could have been explored a little bit deeper.

Basic messages are be prepared and know your audience.

I am new to this Public Speaking business! In my new position, I must make lots of presentations. Public Speaking for Dummies is a very helpful manual. Lots of good tips and suggestions. I also really liked the book called, Speech Communication Made Simple: A Multicultural Perspective. Both of these books have given me a lot of confidence when public speaking and have helped me to overcome much of my nervousness when speaking before groups.

I do a fair amount of public speaking and have found this book very helpful in many respects. It does an excellent job of covering the basics, includes some great tips that you might not think of on your own and also introduces some advanced topics without overwhelming you with lots of detail.

Like most of the "For Dummies" series, the book has an encouraging tone and is written in a humorous or light manner. It's an easy and pleasurable read and I believe everyone interested in public speaking would pick up something useful from it.

I've made speaches for many years and this book has helped me to polish my presentations and deal with fears more than any other resource I have seen. The tone and pace are refreshing for any business self help book.

The author has an obvious wealth of knowlegde and experience. He delivers insights with acute humor and sincerety.

I whole heartedly recommend this book for anyone that makes public presentations of any kind.

A very clear and concise look at public speaking. There are multiple pointers that help with building confidence in the area of public speaking.
Elaine Littau
Author of "Nan's Journey"

This book is the best thing since Apple Pie. It's written well, has humor, and get's right to the point..thank you!

Cliche and Myth laden advice for the ill informed would be speaker.

If you want to be a good speaker take advice from those who you have noticed to be good speakers. Buy books from those known to be good speakers.

The idiots and dummy brand is just that. Don't sell yourself short. Aim to be good by finding advice that is not aimed at dummies and written by the same.

There is so much misinformation out there about public speaking good practices you must be careful what you read.

Gene Grindle