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on January 14, 2015
I feel a little dumb for putting 5 stars when EVERY damn body does. Maybe they all know David or they're family or something. I'm not. I've seen him speak at his FunnyBiz event and that's what got me hooked. I'm a very minor public figure and I've attained this status through blood, guts, paid advertising and bald faced lies. I also used some of the ideas in this book to balance out my business hilarity. Read this. Follow David. Think funnier. It doesn't matter if you're a cubicle dummy or an internet dummy or a sales dummy, this book will help you in your career.
I wanna end with a joke but whatever... I'm just gonna leave this all limp and hangy. Still you should buy it.... you shoulda seen me before this.
I wanna end with a joke but whatever... I'm just gonna leave this all limp and hangy. Still you should buy it.... you shoulda seen me before this.
on February 23, 2016
At the outset, let me state that I received an advanced copy to review without cost.
I'm a member of a local Toastmasters club, completed my CC and working on a double DTM (if you're into TM, then you know what I mean). I was raised on PBS, British comedies, and have a highly idiosyncratic sense of humour - meaning that, generally, only long-time friends and family members get my humour. I'm fairly adept at academic, inspirational and informational speaking, but felt that I could use some humour training. I found Mr. Nihill's blog very helpful. That's how I ended up getting to review the book.
This book takes the info on the blog (and his information out there in inter-verse) to a whole new level. I've read it once and plan on reading it again very soon. I was so engrossed that I would make up fictitious spills on my tablet screen so my co-workers didn't know I was taking it into the lavatory to read during my water-closeting breaks. The tone is conversational, like a public-speaking mentor you go out for pints with (which might count for the bit of wordiness here and there). The examples and suggestions are realistic and easy to comprehend. This is not an academic treatise or a "philosophy of funny" thesis - it's a good, basic, nuts and bolts guide to developing the skills necessary to grow as a humourous speaker. Maybe it is a bit basic for those of you who are naturally gifted and who pull gufffaws out of people like bonobos pick chits out of fur, but for those of us who stumble in that area (being funny, not chit-picking), - the book is a real value. I wish I'd read this book before I gave my Humourous Speech Contest bomb on the Cain and Abel story. I'll be recommending it to a newbie Toastmaster I eventually get selected to mentor.
Other than a free review book, I didn't get chit for writing this.
I'm a member of a local Toastmasters club, completed my CC and working on a double DTM (if you're into TM, then you know what I mean). I was raised on PBS, British comedies, and have a highly idiosyncratic sense of humour - meaning that, generally, only long-time friends and family members get my humour. I'm fairly adept at academic, inspirational and informational speaking, but felt that I could use some humour training. I found Mr. Nihill's blog very helpful. That's how I ended up getting to review the book.
This book takes the info on the blog (and his information out there in inter-verse) to a whole new level. I've read it once and plan on reading it again very soon. I was so engrossed that I would make up fictitious spills on my tablet screen so my co-workers didn't know I was taking it into the lavatory to read during my water-closeting breaks. The tone is conversational, like a public-speaking mentor you go out for pints with (which might count for the bit of wordiness here and there). The examples and suggestions are realistic and easy to comprehend. This is not an academic treatise or a "philosophy of funny" thesis - it's a good, basic, nuts and bolts guide to developing the skills necessary to grow as a humourous speaker. Maybe it is a bit basic for those of you who are naturally gifted and who pull gufffaws out of people like bonobos pick chits out of fur, but for those of us who stumble in that area (being funny, not chit-picking), - the book is a real value. I wish I'd read this book before I gave my Humourous Speech Contest bomb on the Cain and Abel story. I'll be recommending it to a newbie Toastmaster I eventually get selected to mentor.
Other than a free review book, I didn't get chit for writing this.
on October 21, 2016
This book is hilarious, full of stories, and packed with useful information. I'd recommend this to anyone trying to get better at public speaking or just being funny in general.
The book is filled with stories that illustrate his points. Then when you get to the end, he gives you a link to a page full of video clips to help you see what he's talking about in action. He also sums the book up for you in the end with his short 80 tips. (And here I was highlighting like a mad man.) Best of all, he invites all who buy this book into a private Facebook group where members can upload and help critique each other's presentations. With all these added bonuses, this book is more than just a book, it's an entire class! He could have charged $50-$100 or more and it still would have been a killer deal.
The book is filled with stories that illustrate his points. Then when you get to the end, he gives you a link to a page full of video clips to help you see what he's talking about in action. He also sums the book up for you in the end with his short 80 tips. (And here I was highlighting like a mad man.) Best of all, he invites all who buy this book into a private Facebook group where members can upload and help critique each other's presentations. With all these added bonuses, this book is more than just a book, it's an entire class! He could have charged $50-$100 or more and it still would have been a killer deal.
on May 27, 2017
Very Helpful! Very Practical! Got a lot out of this book and felt the author was sincere in his desire to help others succeed. Got a lot out of his personal stories. His writing was simple and to the point and he impressed me with his humbleness. Don't usually get much out of these types of books but I read this one cover to cover.... pretty much a first. Thanks David, from Glenn
on March 19, 2015
'Do You Talk Funny?' was written for business speakers, and maybe an aspiring TED talk-er or two, with an eye to allowing them to intersperse tried-and-true humor in their presentations. From the time I began reading, I realized the book's step-by-step tips and overall outlook would really help me as an adult ESL teacher and writer, and as a translator: I once actually worked on a text in a subject that's been (peculiarly, I thought) dear to me since college, the philosophy of comedy, and I thought for sure its author and I were the only ones so fascinated. Now here's David Nihill (with his 'rule of three', coincidentally), both fascinated and fascinating as he delves into all manner of comedic profundities. 'Do You Talk Funny?' thus lives up to its title and initial premise (if you add humor you'll be more of a hit than the 90% of other business speakers who think their job is to celebrate boredom), but provides the reader much, MUCH more. Nihill is eloquent as he convinces us yet again that perspiration beats inspiration, but he softens the news of how much work humor can be ("dying is easy; comedy is hard", as Peter O'Toole quotes in 'My Favorite Year') with detailed directions for structuring jokes, an inside look at the life of successful professional stand-up comics, AND serious ways of using comedy to 'pay it forward'. His initial inspiration for learning how to 'talk funny' was being asked to give a speech in support of a friend with a severe spinal injury, and now that he's moved from stage-fright-to-the-max, to comfortable with even a tough crowd, he organizes events worldwide to raise money for this cause.
on January 20, 2015
If you feel you need to apologize in advance for your boring presentation, read this book, learn to add some humor, then your presentation will become more fun, or at least tolerable, for you and the audience. ( ever hear of comedy traffic schools?) The suggestions are helpful to the infrequent speech giver as well as to those who want to make a living by making others laugh. Good comedians make it look easy, but if you read the book you'll understand better how much hard work goes in to five minutes at the mic, making you smile, chuckle or howl with laughter.
on March 11, 2016
I am not a comedian and I am not a speaker. I have done some sales training and some presentations and have always had a pretty good sense of humor.
A couple of months ago I came across some information about the structure of jokes - I always thought funny people were just funny naturally. It never occurred to me that there was a structure and that people could learn to be funny, or funnier.
That initial information brought me to David Hihill - I wanted to build on my newfound knowledge about being funny and David's information fit the bill.
This book isn't about telling jokes or being funnier, specifically. He takes from his experience being a comedian and speaker and really breaks it down and really breaks down the process of giving a successful
presentation or stand-up comedy set.
I read part of the book but listened to the audiobook
for most of it. I really enjoy when the author reads
their books and this author did a great job - he definitely added something to the overall content of the book with his presentation of it (not just reading it out loud).
This book is an enjoyable read on its own.
It will also help you make any presentation funny and, I believe, to be funnier in your daily interactions.
A couple of months ago I came across some information about the structure of jokes - I always thought funny people were just funny naturally. It never occurred to me that there was a structure and that people could learn to be funny, or funnier.
That initial information brought me to David Hihill - I wanted to build on my newfound knowledge about being funny and David's information fit the bill.
This book isn't about telling jokes or being funnier, specifically. He takes from his experience being a comedian and speaker and really breaks it down and really breaks down the process of giving a successful
presentation or stand-up comedy set.
I read part of the book but listened to the audiobook
for most of it. I really enjoy when the author reads
their books and this author did a great job - he definitely added something to the overall content of the book with his presentation of it (not just reading it out loud).
This book is an enjoyable read on its own.
It will also help you make any presentation funny and, I believe, to be funnier in your daily interactions.
Thorough, concise, and empowering examination of all aspects of being funny and having fun doing it.
on March 7, 2016
I've read a few books on humor and being funny, and many books on literature, writing, and story. This books stands out as well researched, complete, concise, full of useful tips, lists, anecdotes, and references. David takes inspiration from many people I admire most and a few that I am now going to investigate. The book is a pleasure to read, from the funny but not overwrought humor, to the encouraging, supportive tone, and through every carefully considered solution, observation, and other signs of care. Of the many books I read every year, this is likely to be the only one that I look forward to reading and studying multiple times, trying out the techniques in one form or another.
Not only have I been gearing up to write literate fiction and non-fiction more formally, in addition to my constant everyday writing, but I've been working on ways to combine entertainment and education in new ways to empower authors, educators, and learners. This seems to be the book, body of material, and person I've been searching for to enable the humorous parts of that.
See also:[...]
Not only have I been gearing up to write literate fiction and non-fiction more formally, in addition to my constant everyday writing, but I've been working on ways to combine entertainment and education in new ways to empower authors, educators, and learners. This seems to be the book, body of material, and person I've been searching for to enable the humorous parts of that.
See also:[...]
on May 24, 2016
If you're an aspiring speaker, a public figure in any way, or you ever talk in front of TWO or more people (...), get this book. You'll be glad you did.
Super easy read, with actionable advice. You won't want to put it down (which becomes an issue when you realize you should pause and try practicing the techniques, as Dave suggests).
Dave has done a terrific job of distilling the best techniques from comedy for public speaking of all kinds. It makes so much sense that you wonder why no one thought of doing it sooner – because humor is such a sure-fire way to draw people in.
Often these books ("recommendations for this / how the best do that") leave you with a nebulous idea of how to implement the advice. Not this one. Concrete examples and recommendations mean you can put the book down (can you?) and immediately begin making your public remarks crisper, more engaging.
Super easy read, with actionable advice. You won't want to put it down (which becomes an issue when you realize you should pause and try practicing the techniques, as Dave suggests).
Dave has done a terrific job of distilling the best techniques from comedy for public speaking of all kinds. It makes so much sense that you wonder why no one thought of doing it sooner – because humor is such a sure-fire way to draw people in.
Often these books ("recommendations for this / how the best do that") leave you with a nebulous idea of how to implement the advice. Not this one. Concrete examples and recommendations mean you can put the book down (can you?) and immediately begin making your public remarks crisper, more engaging.
