Customer Reviews

Say It Like Shakespeare: How to Give a Speech Like Hamlet, Persuade Like Henry V, and Other Secrets From the World's Greatest Communicator

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I read this book with much anticipation, excited to see how the author was going to link Shakespeare's works with communication skills. I must say that I was sorely disappointed.

As an active Toastmaster of 3 years and an avid reader of various communication books, I feel there is nothing new worth learning from this book.

1. Most points are obviously emulating the Toastmasters basic project manual or basically any other ordinary communications book that you can pick off a shelf in any bookstore. Points brought up mention stuff like speech organisation, sincerity, body language and vocal variety. That is fine if these points had been elaborated in more detail rather than sweepingly carried across. This makes the book feel more like a teaser on various communication techniques - just a teaser - meaning no real content, just words to trigger your interest (that is, if you are a complete novice AND not a Toastmaster).

2. I was wondering how the book would link its contents to Shakespeare. What happened was that the author simply peppered LOTS of quotes from various Shakespearean works throughout every page, and I mean a LOT. What makes it more disappointing is that the meaning behind the quotes are never really explored in detail as to how it could possibly give us some lessons in communicating well. In that retrospect, this book violates the very essence of good communication skills - Purposeful Actions. The author did the action of putting lots of quotes in, just so that this book could be hyped as the "Say it like Shakespeare" book. Unfortunately, since these quotes were not properly weaved into the content, nor were proper lessons that readers could learn from these quotes identified or highlighted adequately, these quotes tend to stuck out like a sore thumb in the book AND became part of UNPURPOSEFUL content.

3. As mentioned earlier, the content being more of a teaser, just informs but doesn't help you in any way of application. Plus you tend to question its credibility cos of its vagueness in explanation and its content being the sort of content that you can even pick off freely from any Internet site.

My conclusions are:
1. If you are a complete beginner and just want to KNOW (but not understand nor apply) what is supposed to be touted as common good communication practices, read this book.

2. If you have some experience in public speaking, and/or have read many communication mantras already, give this book a miss - you will find that you can reap nothing new in terms of knowledge for this.

3. If you are a strategist interested in seeing how Shakespeare can be a useful tool in teaching you good communication skills - just like how some people are interested in how Sun Tzu's military strategies can be applied to business - forget this book. You'll only be greeted with numerous quotes of Shakespeare WITHOUT explanations or links.

Tom Leech's book, "Say It Like Shakespeare" is an absolute gem - and definitely a keeper. In the short time in which I've owned the book, I have used it in lectures, classes, and even social occasions. Surely Shakespeare himself must be delighted to know his words ring true for so many instances in this 21st century. This wonderful book shall have a place of honor among the reference books I use most often. However, this is the only one that continually amuses, confounds, and inspires. I certainly hope that Mr. Leech will soon be publishing more.

I always figured that Shakespeare was a wise man, but never did I fully grasp how practical and timeless his messages were until I saw them used to emphasize Tom Leech's strategies for better communication. This is one of those ideas that is so obvious and logical that you wonder why it never was thought of before. Leech has taken his obviously in-depth knowledge of communication in business and linked it to some of the bard's most brilliant aphorisms. The end result is an easy read and an enhanced understanding of what we all need to do in order to communicate more effectively. Even the most experienced speakers need to take a look at this volume for, as stated in Julius Caesar, "Methinks there is much reason in his sayings."

I picked this book because of my love of Shakespeare. I was pleasantly surprised at how the author is able to relate the wordsmithing of Shakespeare to modern business communications. He presents each topic in a thoughtful, enjoyable to read manner.

I continue to refer to this book in my work. I have recommended it to several of my staff and co-workers. I think its a valuable addition to any business communication library.

Mr. Leech's book is GREAT!!!!. His writing style is so concise, practical and easy to understand. Using quotes from Shakespeare just added to the enjoyment of reading this book. The information is very valuable for any one in any type of organization. I was VERY IMPRESSED!!!! It is full of great ideas and tips on how to handle any communications situation in a business setting or actually any organization. Being a professional in the communications field, I wish I had read this material years ago.

Mr. Leech's book is GREAT!. His writing style is so concise, practical and easy to understand. Using quotes from Shakespeare just adds to the enjoyment of reading this book. The information is very valuable for any one in any type of organization. I was VERY IMPRESSED! It is full of great ideas and tips on how to handle any communications situation in a business setting. Being a professional in the communications field, I wish I had read this material years ago.

By Lynn Alvarez Doupsas, Divisional Vice President, Business Planning Strategy, President, UBS PaineWebber Toastmasters

I did not know what to expect when I opened "Say it like Shakespeare: How to Give a Speech like Hamlet, Persuade like Henry V and Other Secrets from the World's Greatest Communicator." Any reference to Shakespeare always reminded me of introductory literature courses in college. As I opened the book I thought, what could that old stodgy writer have to say for himself? I was pleasantly surprised that good `ole Will was and is the master of the communication and the common word.

I met Tom Leech in the early 90's and thoroughly devoured his book on Winning Presentations. He has always struck me as having uncanny perceptions and astute assessments of issues and problems. The new book covers advanced topics such as blending team talents in "Competitive Communications" to the basics like "make sure props work." Each chapter's `take aways' are direct, practical and to the point. The stories and quotes were aptly selected to convey complex themes.

I always knew Tom was a masterful storyteller. I was struck, however, at how funny he was in his use of examples and communication pitfalls. I had no idea how tickled I would be with his examples, perhaps because I have experienced and lived them in my years in consulting and management positions. It was a nice change to hear about them rather than experience them first hand. I could thoroughly imagine Julius Caesar and Othello going through the same issues as many leaders and followers go through today.

By using good humor and poking fun at himself self and others, Tom made Verona, Rome and Stratford on Avon come alive. The not so `secret' topics of being a good listener, knowing your audience and dressing for success were shared as well as the difference between being a sender and receiver were wittily revealed. Tom craftily used these fictional characters' quotes and actions to emphasis his points even more.

Indeed, there is something to glean for everyone. Tom's insights and innovative way to address communication made me long to pick up a volume of Mr. Shakespeare's work. I am just happy that I didn't have to spend years compiling this information, which fortunately, Tom painstakingly did for us.

Friends, Romans, Toastmasters -- this is a must read for any interested in understanding the nuts and bolts of communication. This can be a great tool for any manager, academic or lay statesman to use in treading through the perilous seas of modern Rome. History indeed is doomed to repeat itself, so why not get a jump start?