Customer Reviews

Speak Up with Confidence: How to Prepare, Learn, and Deliver Effective Speeches

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

 

 

I ordered this book after listening to an interview of the author on cable. I guess I had excessive expectations. I've been in need of a pep talk, and have always wanted to improve my ability to persuade others. The idea that this author had coached many persuasive people was a selling point.

But I can't say I found anything for me in here. There's nothing wrong with the technical content - there just wasn't anything new. While helpful, it seems awfully basic - like stressing the importance of preparation, and practice. Whoopie.

And much of the unique content, IMO, is too heavy on the name-dropping. The excerpts from speeches of the-beautiful-people-I-have-helped felt much like padding. Uh-huh, I guess I should be impressed, but shouldn't these passages be more inspiring?

Certainly I'm picky in these days of economic duress - I spend my money much more carefully, since I have a lot less. But I really thought this might be a worthwhile investment, and I rather feel it came up short.

If you are doing well in one-to-one conversations but stumble whenever you have to talk to an audience, you will find some good advice in this book. For "two dollars a piece", you will learn five basic rules that will help you a long way. Nothing more, nothing less. Well worth the money and the time to read it.

I found precious little here. You might think that with the glowing reviews from famous people that this would be a useful book, but in fact the reviews aren't wrong - if you're a senator or a TV personality you'll find this book useful.

The rest of us can give it a miss.

Valenti may be a great speaker, but in terms of a book for everyone he offers little. You should remember your speech pretty much word for word. You should think of the cadence of how you'll deliver it. There really isn't much more, apart from long reminiscences about famous speeches and speakers. The book has a strange almost Victorian tone.

To misquote one of the reviews - this is a dispensible resource. Spend your money on one of the books that teaches you a lot.

This outstanding book is a rare gem that stands out amongst so many books on public speaking. Jack Valenti knows his stuff and demonstrates with finesse the skills and techniques required for successful public speaking. Even the experts, like Barbara Walters, are taking tips from this prolific writer and respected public speaker. His stories and eloquent illustrations are vivid and memorable, drawing both from his personal experience and real life examples of top public figures.

Valenti was a speechwriter for US President Johnson and is currently president of the Motion Picture Association of America. What can you say for a book that former US President George H.W. Bush recommends as a must-read for those who take their case to the public. This book is a brilliant achievement indeed. Once you start reading, it is hard to put it down.

Valenti assures us with his words:
"Let us be clear: If you want to be able to rise before an audience, large or small, and speak to them so that they will listen to you, you can do it."

A methodical and thorough guide to improving your public speaking. The author covers all major aspects of the craft: writing (and thinking about what you want to say), preparation, diction, awareness of the surroundings, use of humour, length, and many other factors which ultimately add up to a successful delivery of a speech. The author is a former speechwriter for the US president Lyndon B. Johnson, hence not surprisingly, many of the stories and tips offered by the author have a political flavor - don't let that deter you, it is an excellent book.

For a more technically minded crowd, also make sure to check out "Confessions of a Public Speaker" by Scott Berkun.

As a former teacher, I think this book is an excellent resource for teaching a skill that is becoming a lost art. Whether your career routinely includes public speaking or not, people in every walk of life could benefit from the ability to organize thoughts and communicate better. And who better to teach confidence? To see him speak is to admire him.