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On Speaking Well: How to Give a Speech With Style, Substance, and Clarity unknown Edition

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Peggy Noonan (Author)
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Peggy Noonan (Author)
3.6 out of 5 stars 57 customer reviews
ISBN-13: 978-0060987404
ISBN-10: 0060987405
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 224 pages
  • Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks; unknown edition (February 17, 1999)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0060987405
  • ISBN-13: 978-0060987404
  • Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.5 x 8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #99,387 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsEloquence in Advice
By N. Cardon on September 13, 2001
Format: Paperback
Ms. Noonan is among the most eloquent people I have come across in modern times. Quick-witted and intelligent, she uses the common tongue to express uncommon ideas. She has written a book that provides a good background for public speaking. She able to draw on her long experience as a speechwriter to enable her pupils to understand the challenges of both writing and giving speeches. Moreover, Ms. Noonan is so good with words that I would read that book if had no concern with speechmaking.
Read this book, you will enjoy it.
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4.0 out of 5 starsSpeaking to me
By Bunson Honeydew VINE VOICE on September 28, 2003
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
I loved reading this book - Ms. Noonan kept the momentum flowing. This is a very good introduction for people who are nervous about public speaking and/or speech writing. Ms. Noonan gives some insights and "how to's" about a person and/or topic. We must learn about what works for a person and what will not. Some of this is not earth shattering, however we can enhance our knowledge through her real life examples. Peggy points out that we should develop our own style, and we should avoid imitating other people's styles. Ms. Noonan also recommends that we use of humor in the right situations, never speak in a style above us, and avoid industry jargon.
I frequently give seminars for my company, and I am a president of a non-profit group. I found the ideas and suggestions extremely useful in enhancing my presentation skills.
There are a lot of Ronald Reagan examples/case studies, which I enjoyed because I am a huge Reagan fan. To me this was an added bonus.
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5.0 out of 5 starsBest First Book For Public Speaking
By A Customer on October 14, 2000
Format: Hardcover
This is one of the best books to read when you have decided to become good at public speaking. She says have something to say and say it the way you need to say it. Then work at making it interesting to see for the audience. If you don't have something interesting then you are giving the wrong speech. The great achievement is become the speaker you want to be. Help the audience to understand that you are speaking the truth. Author's real life stories are excellent. She was speech writer to Presidents Reagan and Bush. Despite all the good things that Toastmaster's International does, it does not advise its new members give the speech you what to give. Don't copy anybody develop you.
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4.0 out of 5 starsExcellent and Practical
By Jenny on August 13, 2000
Format: Audio Cassette
I listened to the audio tape to this book...even better and easier than reading the book. I found Peggy Noonan's style both easy to understand and clear...she is living proof on how speeches should be delivered.Her voice and manner are calm, confident and inspirational.
The message is strong and one part that certainly sticks in my mind was "tell your audience what you're going to tell them...tell them and then tell them what you told them" I highly recommend this book to anyone who is in a position where they have to give speeches frequently or in a one off situation.
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5.0 out of 5 starsInsightful and Well Written
By Lorna Goodman on June 24, 2003
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
What I loved best about Peggy's book is the delightful conversational style in which she writes which makes for an entertaining "how-to" read. I learned as much about people and history as I did about speech writing. Who says learning has to be dry or boring? A great book to expand a liberal arts education and improve your writing skills.
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5.0 out of 5 stars'Simply Speaking' equals Simply Excellent
By Michael Haller on October 9, 2012
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
Always a gifted writer, Peggy Noonan brings the mix of exceptional experiences with ever faithful techniques that live up to the title and fulfill the needs for any would-be speaker or speech writer. Superb in context and content, if you had only one book on your shelf for practical preparation for your speeches and presentations, this is the one. Prof Michael Haller
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5.0 out of 5 starsUseful, Concise & Witty
By Edward J. Barton VINE VOICE on February 17, 2014
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
Peggy Noonan provides a witty and concise look at speaking, writing speeches and understanding the dynamics of various types of presentation - such as eulogies - in this concise and well written book. Having spent the last 25 years speaking in front of audiences, I recently have had a few less than stellar moments, and was looking for a quick refresher/primer and Noonan's book provides it. Yes, she was a political speechwriter. Yes, she is on TV as a conservative talking head. Separate the politics from the pedagogy. This is a good book, and an interesting read. The insights she provides into speech giving and speech writing at the highest levels of the craft are unparalleled.
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5.0 out of 5 starsUsed books have lots of character!
By Jerra Dooley on July 31, 2015
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
I bought this book used because I could not find it new. Yes, it has wear and tear, crimped pages, highlights, and lots of handwritten notes from the previous user. All the more helpful to me as I read it for the same reasons they did. Anyone who wants to write well, needs to look to one of the best speech writers of our time, Peggy Noonan, who wrote many of President Ronald Reagan's speeches, and came up with many of the one-liner's credited to him that will go down in history as masterful communications. Who knew, a great woman really was behind the man! I am greatful that a woman like Peggy Noonan has broken the glass ceilings for women who follower after her, and she is sharing some great information about how she did what she did that took her to the top of the cream.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 starsI would not recommend reading this book

This book is simply about politics and its very subjective. I would not recommend reading this book. Don't waste your time

Published 27 days ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Excellent!

Published 1 month ago by Marie
5.0 out of 5 starsEnjoyed Comparisons

Enjoyed the comparisons and the stories about the leaders she worked with.

Published 2 months ago by Brenda Cressey
3.0 out of 5 starsThe advice is pretty routine, the examples are ok but too elaborated...

The book is on speaking well, not writing well, which (in my opinion) Noonan does really very well. The advice is pretty routine, the examples are ok but too elaborated for their... Read more

Published 7 months ago by DGB
4.0 out of 5 starsFour Stars

like it.

Published 11 months ago by MaksLaz
4.0 out of 5 starsMemoirs of a speech writer

Overall, an easy to read, memoir style text on the challenges of speech writing with some good advice. Read more

Published 15 months ago by Walter B Reed
1.0 out of 5 starsIt would get 0 stars if possible. This is ...

It would get 0 stars if possible. This is not a book to teach one how to speak well; it is a book on political antics and biases.

Published 15 months ago by Leslie M.
4.0 out of 5 starsPeggy is the best.

Peggy is real.

Published 15 months ago by Jimd
5.0 out of 5 starsthoughtful written with fun historical context

I enjoyed reading a book about public speaking from someone who has written and given speeches at the highest level

Published 16 months ago by rob king
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Highly recommend

Published 18 months ago by nerissa collns

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