Speaker's Handbook of Humor [Paperback]

Robert Orben (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2000

A practical guide to getting laughs in public speeches and presentations. Step-by-step guidance on telling jokes, working the audience, dealing with stage fright, and more. Features jokes for use in virtually every situation a speaker faces. Extensive coverage of roasts.

Product Details

• Paperback: 365 pages
• Publisher: Merriam-Webster; 1ST edition (May 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877796297
• ISBN-13: 978-0877796299
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,889,959 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Speaker's Handbook of Humor, June 12, 2000

By 

John Jay Daly (Chevy Chase, Md) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Speaker's Handbook of Humor (Paperback)

This is essential tool to help spice up almost any talk for it distills the experience of one of America's top comedy writers. It also contains sage advice about giving speeches and remarks which will help you overcome nervousness. But the main reason to keep this handy is to ensure that your remarks are not dull and you keep your audience alert and alive. Its size is also a plus for it's easy to carry or keep at your desk.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Basic Public Speaking Book, December 10, 2007

By 

W. H. McDonald Jr. "The American Author Assoc... (Elk Grove, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Speaker's Handbook of Humor (Paperback)

OK it is a given that the jokes and humor are dated and not on the cutting edge for today's audiences but the basics are there to create presentations that could be very effective. The author Robert Orben was a top humorist in his day and he has insight on ways to handle public speaking that make sense even in today's world.

I used the book as a guide and "rebuilt" and "reworded" jokes and ideas to update them to be in tune with the time we now live in. There is really some great advice given about speak making in general. I think if you are anyone who has to make public talks on occasion or all the time - then you should have this volume in your personal library as a resource. It is a good investment.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Old jokes -- save them for the Rat Pack, October 30, 2000

By 

David Williams "Dave Williams" (Burlingame, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Speaker's Handbook of Humor (Paperback)

This book is published in 2000, but the jokes all read like they're from the 1950's. These jokes are insipid. Do yourself a favor and find something better. I'm returning my copy.