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

~ Jack Valenti (Author) "He approached the rostrum looking no less than what he was, the commanding officer of one of the largest corporations in America..." (more)
Key Phrases: right honourable gentleman, famous fellow, New York, United States, White House (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Everybody in public life ought to read the updated version of Jack Valenti's Speak Up With Confidence. . . a must read. " -- Former President George H.W. Bush

"Nobody should try to get on his hind legs to make a speech without consulting Valenti." -- William Safire, columnist for the New York Times

Product Description

Public speaking is one of the most intimidating and important aspects of many jobs. As a one-time speechwriter for President Johnson, and in his current position as president of the Motion Picture Association of America, Jack Valenti has written and delivered speeches in all kinds of settings. Originally published in 1982, Speak Up with Confidence is an indispensable resource for anyone who wants to write and deliver a speech that people will listen to and remember.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 194 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion (June 19, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786887508
• ISBN-13: 978-0786887507
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #232,369 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Kind of disappointing, July 9, 2002

By A Customer

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.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars some good basic rules to learn, February 13, 2005

By	yet another reader (Boston) - See all my reviews

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.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not much here, April 1, 2003

By A Customer

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.