100 Best Public Speaking Books of All Time

We've researched and ranked the best public speaking books in the world, based on recommendations from world experts, sales data, and millions of reader ratings. Learn more

Featuring recommendations from Charles T. Munger, Richard Branson, Barack Obama, and 180 other experts.
1
In Ted Talks Chris Anderson, head of TED, reveals the inside secrets of how to give a first-class presentation. Where books like Talk Like TED and TED Talks Storytelling whetted the appetite, here is the official TED guide to public speaking from the man who put TED talks on the world's stage. 'Nobody in the world better understands the art and science of public speaking than Chris Anderson. He is absolutely the best person to have written this book' Elizabeth Gilbert.

Anderson shares his five key techniques to presentation success: Connection,...
more

Chris AndersonIn Apollo week, a great book recommendation: this more than a story of a computer--it's about the first shot in the man vs machine battles (should astronauts be pilots or "spam in a can"?) that foreshadowed today's debates about drones & self driving cars https://t.co/CidYughKHz (Source)

Chris AndersonIn Apollo week, a great book recommendation: this more than a story of a computer--it's about the first shot in the man vs machine battles (should astronauts be pilots or "spam in a can"?) that foreshadowed today's debates about drones & self driving cars https://t.co/CidYughKHz (Source)

Chris AndersonIn Apollo week, a great book recommendation: this more than a story of a computer--it's about the first shot in the man vs machine battles (should astronauts be pilots or "spam in a can"?) that foreshadowed today's debates about drones & self driving cars https://t.co/CidYughKHz (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

2
Ideas are the currency of the twenty-first century. In order to succeed, you need to be able to sell your ideas persuasively. This ability is the single greatest skill that will help you accomplish your dreams. Many people have a fear of public speaking or are insecure about their ability to give a successful presentation. Now public speaking coach and bestselling author Carmine Gallo explores what makes a great presentation by examining the widely acclaimed TED Talks, which have redefined the elements of a successful presentation and become the gold standard for public speaking. TED ? which... more

Emma Wedekind@yannln I love that book! (Source)

Shaen YeoIn the book Talk like TED, there were a few suggestions on how to make my speech better. I tweaked the way I speak using the advice, and produced a speech like never before. I had many people coming up to shake my hands and offer me name cards! (Source)

Radu MarcusuA book that most recently made a difference for me was Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World's Top Minds. My IMWorld speech this year benefited tremendously from Carmine Gallo's framing of the nine secrets of all time successful TED presentations. I believe Gallo's step-by-step method makes it possible for anyone to sell their ideas persuasively when delivering a presentation.... (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

3
You can go after the job you want—and get it!
You can take the job you have—and improve it!
You can take any situation—and make it work for you!

Dale Carnegie’s rock-solid, time-tested advice has carried countless people up the ladder of success in their business and personal lives. One of the most groundbreaking and timeless bestsellers of all time, How to Win Friends & Influence People will teach you:

-Six ways to make people like you
-Twelve ways to win people to your way of thinking
-Nine ways to change people without arousing...
more

Dustin MoskovitzSeek to be understood. (Source)

Scott Adams[Scott Adams recommends this book on his "Persuasion Reading List."] (Source)

Daymond JohnI love all the Dale Carnegie books. (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

4

Influence

The Psychology of Persuasion

Influence, the classic book on persuasion, explains the psychology of why people say "yes"—and how to apply these understandings. Dr. Robert Cialdini is the seminal expert in the rapidly expanding field of influence and persuasion. His thirty-five years of rigorous, evidence-based research along with a three-year program of study on what moves people to change behavior has resulted in this highly acclaimed book.

You'll learn the six universal principles, how to use them to become a skilled persuader—and how to defend yourself against them. Perfect for people in all walks of life,...
more

Charles T. MungerRobert Cialdini has had a greater impact on my thinking on this topic than any other scientist. (Source)

Dan ArielyIt covers a range of ways in which we end up doing things, and how we don’t understand why we’re doing them. (Source)

Max Levchin[Max Levchin recommended this book as an answer to "What business books would you advise young entrepreneurs read?"] (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

5

Public Speaking for Success

Dale Carnegie, author of the legendary How to Win Friends and Influence People, began his career as the premier "life coach" of the twentieth century by teaching the art of public speaking. Public speaking, as Carnegie saw it, is a vital skill that can be attained through basic and repeated steps. His classic volume on the subject appeared in 1926 and was revised twice-in shortened versions-in 1956 and 1962. This 2006 revision-edited by a longtime consultant to Dale Carnegie & Associates, Inc., and the editor in charge of updating How to Win Friends and Influence... more
Recommended by Marianne Vanella, and 1 others.

Marianne Vanella@sylv3on_ It's all about practice. This is a great book to read https://t.co/5Ws3CRUZli (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

6
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - The instant classic about why some ideas thrive, why others die, and how to improve your idea's chances--essential reading in the "fake news" era.

Mark Twain once observed, "A lie can get halfway around the world before the truth can even get its boots on." His observation rings true: Urban legends, conspiracy theories, and bogus news stories circulate effortlessly. Meanwhile, people with important ideas--entrepreneurs, teachers, politicians, and journalists--struggle to make them "stick."

In Made to Stick, Chip and Dan...
more

Cristian-Dragos BaciuI highly recommend all the books written by the Heath brothers, especially Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive And Others Die. This one's a must-read for marketers. The reason I enjoyed their work so much is because they offer real-life stories and insights that makes it so much easier for the reader to imprint that information in his mind (Source)

Tudor MihailescuFirst thing first, finance people need to be decent communicators, ideally awesome communicators. There is an art in building a case or in delivering a presentation and we need to treat this step as seriously as we have treated the other steps. I do believe this is a top priority for an aspiring or practicing CFO - There are plenty of books on this topic, I would recommend the works of Chip and... (Source)

Steve LanceMade to Stick is about what makes a message memorable. Why is it that we can all say ‘Call me Ishmael’ and remember this opening line to Moby Dick, and yet none of us can say the second sentence. Made to Stick is a thoughtful, fact-based empirical study about this idea of stickiness. (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

7
Factfulness: The stress-reducing habit of only carrying opinions for which you have strong supporting facts.

When asked simple questions about global trends—what percentage of the world’s population live in poverty; why the world’s population is increasing; how many girls finish school—we systematically get the answers wrong. So wrong that a chimpanzee choosing answers at random will consistently outguess teachers, journalists, Nobel laureates, and investment bankers.

In Factfulness, Professor of International Health and global TED phenomenon...
more

Barack ObamaAs 2018 draws to a close, I’m continuing a favorite tradition of mine and sharing my year-end lists. It gives me a moment to pause and reflect on the year through the books I found most thought-provoking, inspiring, or just plain loved. It also gives me a chance to highlight talented authors – some who are household names and others who you may not have heard of before. Here’s my best of 2018... (Source)

Bill GatesThis was a breakthrough to me. The framework Hans enunciates is one that took me decades of working in global development to create for myself, and I could have never expressed it in such a clear way. I’m going to try to use this model moving forward. (Source)

Nigel WarburtonIt’s an interesting book, it’s very challenging. It may be over-optimistic. But it does have this startling effect on the readers of challenging widely held assumptions. It’s a plea to look at the empirical data, and not just assume that you know how things are now. (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

8
Dale Carnegie shows you how to:
Develop poise Gain self-confidence Improve your memory Make your meaning clear Begin and end a talk Interest and charm your audience Improve your diction Win and argument without making enemies

How to Develop Self-Confidence and Influence People by Public Speaking also offers hundreds of practical and valuable tips on influencing the important people in your life: your friends, your customers, your business associates, your employers.

The information in this book has been tested and used...

more

See more recommendations for this book...

9
In this hilarious and highly practical book, author and professional speaker Scott Berkun reveals the techniques behind what great communicators do, and shows how anyone can learn to use them well. For managers and teachers -- and anyone else who talks and expects someone to listen -- Confessions of a Public Speaker provides an insider's perspective on how to effectively present ideas to anyone. It's a unique, entertaining, and instructional romp through the embarrassments and triumphs Scott has experienced over 15 years of speaking to crowds of all sizes.

With lively...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

10
Why do you do what you do?

Why are some people and organizations more innovative, more influential, and more profitable than others? Why do some command greater loyalty from customers and employees alike? Even among the successful, why are so few able to repeat their success over and over?

People like Martin Luther King Jr., Steve Jobs, and the Wright Brothers might have little in common, but they all started with why. It was their natural ability to start with why that enabled them to inspire those around them and to achieve remarkable things.
more

Tony RobbinsThe basis of this book is so important to anyone looking to increase their influence, profits or impact. People won't truly buy into a product, service, movement, or idea until they understand the WHY behind it. When you start with the why, everything else falls into place. This book is so impactful, I consider it required reading. (Source)

Richard BransonToday is World Book Day, a wonderful opportunity to address this #ChallengeRichard sent in by Mike Gonzalez of New Jersey: Make a list of your top 65 books to read in a lifetime. (Source)

Tony HsiehOver the years he’s [] recommended well over 20 business books — including his own, the 2010 bestseller Delivering Happiness and you can always find what he’s currently reading atop his cluttered desk. Start with Why is amogst those titles. (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

Don't have time to read the top Public Speaking books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
11
Public speaking can be terrifying. For David Nihill, the idea of standing in front of an audience was scarier than cliff jumping into a thorny pit of spiders and mothers-in-law. Without a parachute or advanced weaponry. Something had to change.

In what doesn't sound like the best plan ever, David decided to overcome his fears by pretending to be an accomplished comedian called "Irish Dave" for one full year, crashing as many comedy clubs, festivals and shows as possible. One part of the plan was at least logical: he was already Irish and already called Dave.

In one...
more
Recommended by Dan Olsen, Neal O'Gorman, and 2 others.

Neal O'GormanI found when reading a book from my friend David Nihill called "Do You Talk Funny?:7 Comedy Habits to Become a Better (and Funnier) Public Speaker" there were lots of learnings. Not just learnings, but actually simple things I've been able to put into practice when presenting. For example, I'm even more conscious of the rule of three, using stories and reconstructing sentences to leave the final... (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

12
Reveals the underlying story form of all great presentations that will not only create impact, but will move people to action Presentations are meant to inform, inspire, and persuade audiences. So why then do so many audiences leave feeling like they've wasted their time? All too often, presentations don't resonate with the audience and move them to transformative action.

Just as the author's first book helped presenters become visual communicators, Resonate helps you make a strong connection with your audience and lead them to purposeful action. The author's approach...
more
Recommended by Brian Burkhart, and 1 others.

Brian BurkhartBut the book which really hit home was “Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform Audiences,” by Nancy Duarte. It’s interesting, I didn’t agree with her methodology or like much of what I read. It was too complex and not realistic for people to use in everyday life. That said, it did help confirm to me that I was onto something. It was a different kind of validation than Godin—that the... (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

13

The Art of Public Speaking

The best way to become a confident, effective public speaker, according to the authors of this landmark book, is simply to do it. Practice, practice, practice. And while you're at it, assume the positive. Have something to say. Forget the self. Cast out fear. Be absorbed by your subject. And most importantly, expect success. "If you believe you will fail," they write, "there is hope for you. You will." DALE CARNEGIE (1888-1955), a pioneer in public speaking and personality development, gained fame by teaching others how to become successful. His book How to Win Friends and Influence People... more

See more recommendations for this book...

14
Presentation designer and internationally acclaimed communications expert Garr Reynolds, creator of the most popular Web site on presentation design and delivery on the net — presentationzen.com — shares his experience in a provocative mix of illumination, inspiration, education, and guidance that will change the way you think about making presentations with PowerPoint or Keynote. Presentation Zen challenges the conventional wisdom of making "slide presentations" in today’s world and encourages you to think differently and more creatively about the preparation, design, and delivery of your... more

See more recommendations for this book...

16
The Wall Street Journal Bestseller!

Updated to include Steve Jobs's iPad and iPad2 launch presentations

"The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs reveals the operating system behind any great presentation and provides you with a quick-start guide to design your own passionate interfaces with your audiences."
--Cliff Atkinson, author of Beyond Bullet Points and The Activist Audience

Former Apple CEO Steve Jobs's wildly popular presentations have set a new global gold standard--and now this step-by-step guide...
more
Recommended by Jack H. M. Wong, and 1 others.

Jack H. M. WongQuestion: What five books would you recommend to young people interested in your career path & why? Answer: Rich Dad Poor Dad - Robert Kiyosaki Second Chance - Robert Kiyosaki Why the Rich Are Getting Richer - Robert Kiyosaki The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs: How to Be Insanely Great in Front of Any Audience - Carmine Gallo The Little Voice Mastery - Blair Singer (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

17
No matter where you are on the organizational ladder, the odds are high that you've delivered a high-stakes presentation to your peers, your boss, your customers, or the general public. Presentation software is one of the few tools that requires professionals to think visually on an almost daily basis. But unlike verbal skills, effective visual expression is not easy, natural, or actively taught in schools or business training programs. slide:ology fills that void.

Written by Nancy Duarte, President and CEO of Duarte Design, the firm that created the presentation for Al Gore's...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

18
Turn Any Presentation into a Landmark Occasion
Ever wish you could captivate your boardroom with the opening line of your presentation, like Winston Churchill in his most memorable speeches? Or want to command attention by looming larger than life before your audience, much like Abraham Lincoln when, standing erect and wearing a top hat, he towered over seven feet? Now, you can master presentation skills, wow your audience, and shoot up the corporate ladder by unlocking the secrets of history's greatest speakers.

Author, historian, and world-renowned speaker James C....
more
Recommended by Cal Fussman, and 1 others.

Cal FussmanFor anyone who wants to speak, [...] it’s a great book because there’s all kinds of tips on everything about speaking. (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

19
DELIVER THE PRESENTATION OF YOUR LIFE--AND LAUNCH YOUR CAREER A nonprofit dedicated to ideas worth spreading, TED challenges the world's most fascinating thinkers and doers to give "the speech of their lives" in 18 minutes or less. The more than 14,000 talks on TED.com have been viewed over 1 billion times and include those by such luminaries as Tony Robbins, Dan Pink, and Sheryl Sandberg.

Now you can learn how to give a TED-style talk to achieve your personal and business goals.

How to Deliver a TED Talk provides more than 100 invaluable tips--everything from...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

20
How did an American immigrant without a college education go from Venice Beach T-Shirt vendor to television's most successful producer? How did a timid pastor's son surmount a paralyzing fear of public speaking to sell out Yankee stadium, twice? How did the city of Tokyo create a PowerPoint stunning enough to win it the chance to host the Olympics?

They told brilliant stories.

In his hugely attended Talk Like TED events, bestselling author and communications guru Carmine Gallo found, again and again, that audiences wanted to discover the keys to telling powerful...
more
Recommended by Julia Enthoven, and 1 others.

Julia EnthovenSince Kapwing is still a very young company, The Storyteller’s Secret helps me think about how I can communicate the origin story of Kapwing to our users and other people. I’m enjoying both! (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

Don't have time to read the top Public Speaking books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
21
“An indispensable guide for introverts and extroverts alike.” — Inc. Magazine

A Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly Bestseller
 
Every interaction is a performance, and much of our success—professional and personal—hinges on being able to inspire an audience. And while some people seem to be naturals in the spotlight, this ability very rarely derives from talent alone.
 
Confident communication is a skill, and anyone can learn how to do it.
 
In Steal the Show, New York Times best-selling...
more
Recommended by Nicole Baldinu, and 1 others.

Nicole BaldinuThis book will teach you the art of Public Speaking/Performance like you’ve never imagined. As an entrepreneur you quickly learn that communication is the mother of all skills and foundational to being successful in your industry. All the tips and advice Michael Shares are to be immediately applied and you’ll see, magic happens (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

23
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

The New York Times bestseller that explains one of the most important perceptual shifts in the history of humankind

Scott Adams was one of the earliest public figures to predict Donald Trump's election. The mainstream media regarded Trump as a lucky clown, but Adams - best known as "the guy who created Dilbert" -- recognized a level of persuasion you only see once in a generation. We're hardwired to respond to emotion, not reason, and Trump knew exactly which emotional buttons to push.

The...
more
Recommended by James Altucher, Aaron Watson, and 2 others.

James Altucher@_KevinAGC Best book on writing persuasively: @ScottAdamsSays "Win Bigly" and @RobertCialdini "Influence". (Source)

Aaron WatsonThis one’s going to be controversial. Adams, the creator of Dilbert, was one of the first commentators to come out and predict that Trump would win the 2016 presidential election. How’d he do that? By viewing the world through his Persuasion Filter. This reframing of how humans interact, the world works, and why Trump won was fascinating. It’s already starting to influence the way that I write.... (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

24
The Art of Thinking Clearly by world-class thinker and entrepreneur Rolf Dobelli is an eye-opening look at human psychology and reasoning -- essential reading for anyone who wants to avoid "cognitive errors" and make better choices in all aspects of their lives.

Have you ever: Invested time in something that, with hindsight, just wasn't worth it? Or continued doing something you knew was bad for you? These are examples of cognitive biases, simple errors we all make in our day-to-day thinking. But by knowing what they are and how to spot them, we can avoid them and make better...
more
Recommended by Robert Cialdini, Nigel Warburton, and 2 others.

Robert CialdiniDobelli examines our most common decision-making failings with engaging eloquence and describes how to counter them with instructive good sense. (Source)

Nigel WarburtonThis is an unpretentious book. Dobelli doesn’t claim to be an original thinker himself. He’s a summariser of other people’s thoughts. What he’s done is brought lots of different things together in one place. Each of the 99 entries is pretty short, and it’s the kind of book to dip into. (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

25

The Greatest Salesman in World

The Greatest Salesman in the World is a bestseller by Og Mandino. His books have sold over 50 million copies. Published in '68, reissued in '83 by Bantam, it's a guide to a philosophy of salesmanship, telling the story of Hafid, a poor camel boy who achieves a life of abundance. A cloth edition was published by Buccaneer Books in 6/93. It takes ten months to read the book. His instructions are to read Scroll I (Ch. 8) three times a day for 30 days. After completing Scroll I continue to II (Ch. 9) & so forth thru X (Ch. 17). The Ten Scrolls are:
Scroll I - Commitment
Scroll II -...
more

Adam HaritanThe Greatest Salesman In The World by Og Mandino is my pick for favorite book in the business field. Unlike most business books, The Greatest Salesman In The World is presented in parable form. Additionally, this book contains timeless passages and lessons that are meant to be read— both silently and aloud — on a daily basis, multiple times per day. It’s not difficult to see what major effects... (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

26
World-renowned leadership expert and bestselling author John C. Maxwell says if you want to be an effective leader, you must learn how to connect with people. While it may seem like some folks are just born with a commanding presence that draws people in, the fact is anyone can learn to communicate in ways that consistently build powerful connections. Everyone Communicates, Few Connect, helps you succeed by revealing Maxwell’s Five Principles and Five Practices to develop this crucial skill of connecting, including: finding common ground, keeping your communication simple, capturing people's... more
Recommended by Susan Mazza, and 1 others.

See more recommendations for this book...

27
About the Book:

When it comes to delivering a pitch, Oren Klaff has unparalleled credentials. Over the past 13 years, he has used his one-of-a- kind method to raise more than $400 million--and now, for the first time, he describes his formula to help you deliver a winning pitch in any business situation.

Whether you're selling ideas to investors, pitching a client for new business, or even negotiating for a higher salary, "Pitch Anything "will transform the way you position your ideas.

According to Klaff, creating and presenting a great pitch isn't an...
more

Jeff GibbardThis book single-handedly changed my life. BY learning the principles of "Frame Control" I have had much greater success in sales, public speaking, and in managing my team. (Source)

Michael HerrmannGreat book on pitching, and more generally, sales. Funny too. Has some ideas very reminiscent of Thinking Fast and Slow. (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

28
"Finally, a book on public speaking that's worth reading (and using)." - SETH GODIN, Author, Tribes

"Congratulations Cam. Wonderful stories, delivered well. I wish you every success.”
- JACK WELCH, former CEO of GE and author of 'Winning'

The end of Public Speaking as we know it! This revolutionary method shows you how to think clearly, manage anxiety and speak persuasively. It helps you bring your ideas to life with: A simpler way to control nerves. A simpler way to structure your ideas. A simpler way to engage your audience with natural delivery skills.
more

See more recommendations for this book...

29
Have you ever left a nerve-racking challenge and immediately wished for a do over? Maybe after a job interview, a performance, or a difficult conversation? The very moments that require us to be genuine and commanding can instead cause us to feel phony and powerless. Too often we approach our lives' biggest hurdles with dread, execute them with anxiety, and leave them with regret.

By accessing our personal power, we can achieve "presence," the state in which we stop worrying about the impression we're making on others and instead adjust the impression we've been making on...
more
Recommended by Ellen Lupton, Ryan Foland, and 2 others.

Ryan FolandFinished listening to Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest ... by @amyjccuddy via #Audible. Great book 👍👍 Want it? Get it free: https://t.co/Q0kbPqqJuF (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

30
When we learn to present naked, we reach our audiences by communicating the essence of the message, stripping away all that is unnecessary and embracing the ideas of simplicity, clarity, honesty, integrity, and passion. If "slideware" is used, the slides never steal the show or rise above serving a strong but simple supportive role. The ideas in the presentation may or may not be radical, earth shattering, or new, but there is freshness to the approach and content that makes a lasting impression.

In this invaluable resource from the author for the best-selling books Presentation...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

Don't have time to read the top Public Speaking books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
31
Thirty million presentations will be given today. Millions will fail. Millions more will be received with yawns. A rare few will establish the most profound connection, in which presenter and audience understand each other perfectly, discover common ground and, together, decide to act. less

See more recommendations for this book...

32
As creatives in a crowded world, we can no longer sit in our rooms, creating alone, if we want a viable income. Increasingly, we have to be out there in the world, sharing our knowledge and being visible in order to have a successful career.

*** Public speaking can be an extra income stream, or can form an integral part of your marketing ***

It's also a good idea to plan for success and authors/creatives often have to speak when they become well-known, so it's best to start practicing earlier.

This book is a starter pack and an easy reference guide with the...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

33
"How to Deliver a Great TED talk" is a complete public speaking system for delivering highly effective presentations and speeches.
If you've watched TED talks before, you've no doubt been inspired and electrified by speeches by figures such as Sir Ken Robinson, Jill Bolte Taylor, Simon Sinek and Dan Pink.
What makes these TED talks so inspiring?
What is the secret formula for creating a successful TED talk?
And how can you use this formula to deliver your own powerful TED talk (or any other presentation or speech, for that matter)?
If you follow the guidelines...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

34
The past twenty years has seen the emergence of an industry standard model of presentation - the slide show. Yet research has shown that audiences are deeply dissatisfied with this mode of public speaking. In Lend Me Your Ears, Max Atkinson - a highly experienced speaker and trainer, having been involved in speech writing for business, politics and the arts for 30 years - uses the findings of recent scientific research combined with the rules of classical rhetoric to highlight the secrets of successful persuasion. Using extensive research based on empirical evidence, Max has developed a new... more

See more recommendations for this book...

35
From the bestselling author of Drive and A Whole New Mind comes a surprising--and surprisingly useful--new book that explores the power of selling in our lives.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, one in nine Americans works in sales. Every day more than fifteen million people earn their keep by persuading someone else to make a purchase.

But dig deeper and a startling truth emerges:

Yes, one in nine Americans works in sales. But so do the other eight.

Whether we’re employees pitching colleagues on a new...
more

Jeffrey ShawI’m asked all the time what books I suggest. These are the best of the best. Links to each book are here https://t.co/pJXWOeZtBu #marketing #entrepreneur https://t.co/1wCkqQw8GX (Source)

Cat Williams-TreloarDaniel Pink "To Sell is Human" - describes selling as a way to move and serve people along the journey. It's packed full of examples, science and experiments in an easily digestible form. (Source)

Ola OlusogaLike Charlie Munger once said: “I’ve long believed that a certain system - which almost any intelligent person can learn - works way better than the systems most people use [to understand the world]. What you need is a latticework of mental models in your head. And, with that system, things gradually fit together in a way that enhances cognition. Just as multiple factors shape every system,... (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

37
In his internationally acclaimed, best-selling book Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery, presentation master Garr Reynolds gave readers the framework for planning, putting together, and delivering successful presentations. Now, he takes us further into the design realm and shows how we can apply time-honored design principles to presentation layouts.

Throughout Presentation Zen Design, Garr shares his lessons on designing effective presentations that contain text, graphs, color, images, and video. After establishing guidelines for each...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

38
An instant classic when it was first published a decade ago and now enriched by seventeen new speeches, Lend Me Your Ears contains more than two hundred outstanding moments of oratory. It is selected, arranged, and introduced by William Safire, who honed his skills as a presidential speechwriter. He is considered by many to be America's most influential political columnist and most elegant explicator of our language. Covering speeches from Demosthenes to George W. Bush, this latest edition includes the words of Cromwell to the "Rump Parliament," Orson Welles eulogizing Darryl F.... more

See more recommendations for this book...

39

Themes and Variations

In this Kindle-exclusive essay, international bestselling humor writer David Sedaris shares the rewards of a book tour and his devoted readers’ worst-kept secrets.

Dismissed by a bored author at a book signing, a betrayed young man named David Sedaris made a vow. Someday, when it was his turn at the table, he’d connect with his readers. The experience has been even more revealing than he’d hoped.

In this hilarious and perceptive essay, the celebrated humorist reflects on the unusual patterns of forced socialization between author and audience, and the obligations and...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

40
Thank You for Arguing is your master class in the art of persuasion, taught by professors ranging from Bart Simpson to Winston Churchill.

The time-tested secrets this book discloses include Cicero’s three-step strategy for moving an audience to action—as well as Honest Abe’s Shameless Trick of lowering an audience’s expectations by pretending to be unpolished. But it’s also replete with contemporary techniques such as politicians’ use of “code” language to appeal to specific groups and an eye-opening assortment of popular-culture dodges—including The Yoda Technique, The...
more
Recommended by Angela Pham, and 1 others.

Angela PhamThe attendees in the altMBA program actually influenced me the most in my book purchases: Robin Flaherty persuaded me to buy Thank You For Arguing. (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

Don't have time to read the top Public Speaking books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
41
What is the most important ingredient for an effective speech or presentation?

Whether you are one who speaks only on rare occasions or you find yourself addressing an audience every day, this book will be an invaluable tool.  Beneficial to the experienced pro as well as the new beginner,Secrets of Dynamic Communication is a practical and effective handbook for powerful presentations of all kinds. It takes the reader through the process of selecting and developing a theme, giving it focus, fleshing it out, and communicating well with the audience.  The first half is...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

42

Present! a Techie's Guide to Public Speaking

The ultimate interactive public speaking guide from tech speakers Poornima Vijayashanker and Karen Catlin that prepares and encourages techies to discover their expertise, confidently share it, and successfully level up in their careers. Techies around the world can now jump start and grow their speaking careers with the book, Present! A Techie's Guide to Public Speaking, written by tech leaders, Poornima Vijayashanker and Karen Catlin. The book serves as a resource for technology professionals who want or need to develop the skills to communicate their expertise effectively, whether in a... more

See more recommendations for this book...

43
Frequently cited as the number one fear among A proven, gimmick-free lesson guaranteed to business executives, public speaking doesn’t make anyone a better speaker and come naturally to most people. Pitching an idea, presenter. selling a product, or presenting a program doesn’t have to be a stomach-clenching experience to be struggled through. It can be an opportunity to relish and a chance to shine in front of a group. Whether you are selling an idea to two colleagues in a conference room or presenting a major corporate strategy to a ballroom filled with shareholders, the key to success is a... more

See more recommendations for this book...

45
Do you have a message you want to get out into the world? Have you ever dreamed of speaking for a living? Is there something you have to say but just aren't sure what to do next? The Successful Speaker is a proven, easy-to-follow guide to helping you do just that.

Whether you want to speak at your next board meeting or community gathering, start making some extra money on the side, or become a full-time professional speaker, Grant Baldwin knows how to get you from here to there. Why? Because he's done it himself and has coached over 2,000 speakers.

In The...
more
Recommended by Chris Ducker, Jeffrey Shaw, and 2 others.

Chris Ducker@MoreLeadership Thanks for sharing, Bernd. Hope you've been well... will we see a triumphant return to London this November, for the Summit?!?! Also... @GrantBaldwin's new book on public speaking came out, and it's brilliant! Here's a link: https://t.co/z3lCJbFKuL (Source)

Jeffrey ShawAre you interested in becoming a speaker? In this podcast, @grantbaldwin and I discuss his new book, The Successful Speaker which provides great fundamentals to building a speaking business- https://t.co/bZrF0uQwTD #speaker #speakerlife #eventprofs #author #speakingtips https://t.co/QjvGMbJvOw (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

46
TAKE THE PAIN OUT OF PRESENTATIONS.

Terrified of speaking in front of a group? Or simply looking to polish your skills? No matter where you are on the spectrum, this guide will give you the confidence and the tools you need to get results.

Written by presentation expert Nancy Duarte, the HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations will help you:

• Win over tough crowds
• Organize a coherent narrative
• Create powerful messages and visuals
• Connect with and engage your audience
• Show people why your ideas matter to...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

47
"You'll not only break the ice, you'll melt it away with your new skills." -- Larry King

"The lost art of verbal communication may be revitalized by Leil Lowndes." -- Harvey McKay, author of "How to Swim with the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive"

What is that magic quality makes some people instantly loved and respected? Everyone wants to be their friend (or, if single, their lover!) In business, they rise swiftly to the top of the corporate ladder. What is their "Midas touch?"

What it boils down to is a more skillful way of dealing with...
more

Derek SiversWonderful considerate book about conversational people skills. (Source)

Nicolas JouvenceauIn my career I spend a great chunk of time dealing with clients and people in general. Our environment today is different from what it was before, we spend a lot of time communicating via electronics that we actually lost some great deal of knowledge in human communication, things that we don’t really learn at school (we actually should), but which I believe are essential to communicating with... (Source)

Sarissa Rodriguez-SchwartzThat book is a great tool for networking and connecting with others. One of the most important tools I remember is to always speak to others about their jobs in the job "lingo" otherwise you come off as disrespectful and ignorant, immediately turning them off. [...] How to Talk to Anyone helped me change the way I see other people's careers, motives, and how to connect with that. I always say... (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

48
Do you remember the topic of the last speech you heard? If not, you're not alone. In fact, studies show that audiences remember only 10% to 30% of speech or presentation content. Given those bleak statistics, why do we give speeches at all? We give them, says communications expert Nick Morgan, because they remain the most powerful way of connecting with audiences since ancient Greek times. But as we've evolved to a more conversational mode of public speaking, thanks to television, we have forgotten much of what the Greeks taught us about the nonverbal aspects of speech-giving: the physical... more

See more recommendations for this book...

49
“If I tell you the truth, if I tell it with a story, and if I tell that story with pictures, I can keep you glued to your seat. Let me show you how.”

For the vast majority of us, giving a presentation is an extremely difficult and nerve-wracking process, whether we’re in a one-on-one meeting, a conference room with a dozen strangers, or a lecture hall in front of thousands.
But according to Dan Roam, the visual communications expert and acclaimed author of The Back of the Napkin, it doesn’t have to be so hard. We struggle when we forget the basic steps we...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

50

On Speaking Well

For anyone who fears the thought of writing and giving a speech--be it to business associates, or at a wedding--help is at hand. Acclaimed presidential speechwriter Peggy Noonan shares her secrets to becoming a confidence, persuasive speaker demystifying topics including:


Finding you own authentic voice


Developing a text that interest you


Acing the all-important first paragraph


Using logic to move your audience


Creating, developing, and reinventing the "core speech" for diverse audiences

more

See more recommendations for this book...

Don't have time to read the top Public Speaking books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
51
"For writers aspiring to master the craft, Farnsworth shows how it's done. For lovers of language, he provides waves of sheer pleasure."--Steven Pinker


Say it with style--on paper or in person. This book explains why the best writing sounds that way, with more than 100 examples from Lincoln, Churchill, and other masters of the language. Farnsworth shows how small choices about words, sentences, and paragraphs put force into writing and speech that have stood the test of time. This is must for anyone who wants to speak or write with clear, persuasive, enjoyable,...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

52
This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work. less

See more recommendations for this book...

53
It's Called Presenting, Not Talking Out Loud - is a quick and easy-to-use guidebook on improving your presentation skills - for professionals and students. This guidebook takes out the fat and provides you with what you immediately need. No drawn-out communication theories, but a pragmatic how-to approach. Whether you need to brush up on your industry skills, enrolled in a communications course, or preparing for an important presentation or speech, you can rely on this guide as a handy reference. Presenting is both art and science. And while some of us have natural speaking abilities, we ALL... more

See more recommendations for this book...

54
It's often reported that the number one fear among American adults is public speaking, but in a competitive business world, effective communication is an essential skill. This book offers techniques that help readers learn how to infuse any type of presentation with energy, confidence, and verve. less

See more recommendations for this book...

55

The Presentation Coach

You probably hate giving presentations. You probably hate listening to them too. Why? Because most business presentations are too long, too detailed, too boring...and submerged under a blizzard of PowerPoint. But the single most important presentational tool known to man isn't a slideshow. It's you.

Whether you're speaking to one person across a table, 20 people in a boardroom or 1,000 people in a ballroom, it's all about the words you say and how you say them.


The Presentation Coach shows you how to use what you've already got to give you clarity,...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

56
From the classrooms of Yale and Harvard comes Deb Sofield’s inspirational, instructional guide to help you conquer your fear of public speaking. Speak without Fear transforms our old ways of thinking about public speaking and provides the reader with the necessary tools to move beyond the fear and craft their message in a way that will inspire, move, and most of all—be heard!

Sofield provides the reader with a front-row seat to her award-winning, internationally recognized techniques and uses personal examples and step-by-step instructions to help you overcome the number one fear...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

57

Churchill

The Power of Words

Winston Churchill knew the power of words. In public speeches and published books, in newspaper and magazine articles, he expressed his feelings and laid out his vision for the future. His wartime writings and speeches have fascinated generation after generation with their powerful narrative style and thoughtful reflection.

This book contains one hundred extracts from his books, articles and speeches. They range from his memories of his schooldays, to his contributions to the debates on social policy and on war, his contributions in both world wars to the events and discourse, and...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

58

Public Speaking for Dummies

Tried-and-true tips for dazzling your audience

Conquer your public speaking jitters and deliver a dynamite speech

Anxious about public speaking? Have no fear! Use this friendly guide as your personal arsenal of tools to overcome stage fright and build a rapport with your audience. From researching your topic and preparing the room to crafting a riveting address, these savvy tips will help you deliver a masterful presentation.

The Dummies Way
* Explanations in plain English
* "Get in, get out" information
* Icons and other navigational...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

60
A classic text for theatre and film it has sold 100,000 copies in its first edition. less

See more recommendations for this book...

Don't have time to read the top Public Speaking books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
61
Are you ready to make people sit up and listen when you speak? Do you want to shine in conversations, meetings, pitches or presentations? Is it time to let go of the anxiety that holds you back?

Whatever you want to say and whenever you need to say it, this inspiring, motivating and engaging guide will equip you with powerful ways to free your voice, connect with your audience and communicate with confidence to make a lasting impact.

Combining practical advice with proven techniques that really work, performer and communication expert Liz Peters draws on...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

62
Other guides on public speaking focus on how to convey knowledge or understanding. While it is useful to master such informative speech, other goals and strategies are essential for a politician: publicity, for one. To communicate optimism, to rely on material written by others, to speak repeatedly, day in and day out. Above all, politicians need to persuade their audiences. They can use facts or appeal to values, but in the end, they must urge action. Politicians are advocates.

Robert Lehrman, former speechwriter for Vice President Al Gore, offers both speakers and writers the...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

63

The Definitive Book of Body Language

Available for the first time in the United States, this international bestseller reveals the secrets of nonverbal communication to give you confidence and control in any face-to-face encounter–from making a great first impression and acing a job interview to finding the right partner.

It is a scientific fact that people’s gestures give away their true intentions. Yet most of us don’t know how to read body language–and don’t realize how our own physical movements speak to others. Now the world’s foremost experts on the subject share their techniques for reading body language signals...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

64

You Are the Message

"You are the message." What does that mean, exactly? It means that when you communicate with someone, it's not just the words you choose to send to the other person that make up the message.  You're also sending signals about what kind of person you are--by your eyes, your facial expression, your body movement, your vocal pitch, tone, volume, and intensity, your commitment to your message, your sense of humor, and many other factors.

The receiving person is bombarded with symbols and signals from you. Everything you do in relation to other people causes them to make...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

65
Public speaking can be truly enjoyable and a powerful tool for making a difference in the lives of others. For many, the fear of giving a speech is worse than the fear of death. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned orator, this book will help you transform your public speaking to a whole new level of leadership influence. Learn the SPLASH formula for great public speaking that will make you the kind of speaker and leader who makes a SPLASH--leaving any audience, big or small, forever changed--every time you speak! less

See more recommendations for this book...

66
Accept that some audience members will not be impressed. Then secretly poison their coffee.

Whether you're cringing your way through public speaking how-to options for a class, your job, or just to keep from choking on your own spit during the Easter blessing, this *may* be the book for you. What's it offer?

Clear, proven technique. From developing and logically arranging your ideas, to rehearsing exactly as you intend to deliver, to squashing those butterflies before they get a chance to breed. If you don't have time to read it, just remember my Three Commandments of...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

67
AN UP-TO-THE -MINUTE ADAPTATION OF DALE CARNEGIE ’S TIMELESS PRESCRIPTIONS FOR THE DIGITAL AGE

DALE CARNEGIE’s commonsense approach to communicating has endured for a century, touching millions and millions of readers. The only diploma that hangs in Warren Buffett’s office is his certificate from Dale Carnegie Training. Lee Iacocca credits Carnegie for giving him the courage to speak in public. Dilbert creator Scott Adams called Carnegie’s teachings “life-changing.”

In today’s world, where more and more of our communication takes place across wires and screens,...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

68
Some find talking to others uncomfortable, difficult, or intimidating. Here is a way to overcome these communication challenges. HOW TO TALK TO ANYONE, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE is the key to building confidence and improving communication skills. Written by Larry King, this guide provides simple and practical advice to help make communication easier, more successful, and even more enjoyable. Anecdotes from a life spent talking--on television, radio, and in person,--add to the fun and value of the book. Learn what famous talkers say and how the way they say it makes them so successful.
Lessons...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

69
Champion Your Best Ideas!

Every time you communicate, you're trying to do something, change something, or move someone to action. You're trying to make a point. But the only way to make a point is to have a point. And the surprising truth is, very few communicators know their points or even understand what a point is, rendering them pointless.

Communications expert Joel Schwartzberg says a point is not just a topic, an idea, or a theme. A real point is a proposition of value. It's a contention you can propose, argue, illustrate, and prove. In this concise and practical...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

70
This newly updated guide offers sound advice on every aspect of writing and giving an effective speech. Filled with fresh examples and practical tips, this accessible book shows how to improve both the content and delivery of any presentation.

Learn how to:
· Assess an audience
· Research your subject
· Give team presentations
· Speak to international audiences
· Use humor
· Create a memorable style
· Handle copyright issues
· Use PowerPoint and other audio-visuals
· Handle Q&A sessions
· Control nervousness
more

See more recommendations for this book...

Don't have time to read the top Public Speaking books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
72
The best-selling brief introduction to public speaking, this succinct and inexpensive guide offers practical coverage of the material typically covered in a full-sized text -- from invention, research, and organization to practice and delivery -- in a concise, inexpensive format perfect for any setting across the curriculum, on the job, or in the community. less

See more recommendations for this book...

73

Stand-Up Comedy

The Book

All the world loves a clown and whether you want to clown around at parties or make a living as a standup comic, comedian Judy Carter can show you how to "do" comedy. less

See more recommendations for this book...

74
Bestselling author and master communicator Charles Swindoll has been effectively speaking to others for over fifty years. In SAYING IT WELL: Touching Others With Your Words he shares his secrets on how to talk so people will listen.





Filled with techniques, stories, and models that clearly explain the formulas for successful speaking, Swindoll teaches readers the foundational principles for how to communicate, from preparing for a speech, organizing thoughts, and filtering out the superfluous to overcoming fears, grabbing the listener's attention, and...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

75
The Ultimate Book on Public Speaking!
If you want to be successful these days, you have to master the art of communication! Only those who present themselves authentically and argue wisely can achieve their goals - whether at work or in their private lives.

The book PUBLIC SPEAKING - Speaking Like a Professional teaches you how to use simple strategies to playfully improve your speaking and persuasion skills in order to finally get what you want in life. This book offers beginners a good start to master communication. But experts also gain new insights...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

76

Power Presenter

Learn the successful presentation techniques used in over 500 IPO road shows and featured in The Wall Street Journal and Fast Company. Jerry Weissman is the presentations coach to Microsoft, Cisco Systems, and many of America's top executives, including founding Yahoo CEO Tim Koogle, Intuit founder Scott Cook, Netflix founder and CEO Reed Hastings, and many others. The San Jose Mercury News says that Weissman's IPO presentation coaching "is worth 10% on a company stock." Learn why your body language and voice are more important than your words, how to... more

See more recommendations for this book...

79

Speechwriting

The Expert Guide

Speechwriting is the definitive guide to writing a speech, revealing all the tools and techniques of the trade—such as how to win an argument, construct a soundbite, and perform on stage. The first part of the book covers the arts of persuasion, argument, story telling, and metaphor, providing a solid grounding in the theory of speechwriting, which should appeal to anyone with an interest in politics, communication, or language. The second part covers the crafts of editing, soundbites, media manipulation, performance, and strategy, giving invaluable practical guidance to professional... more

See more recommendations for this book...

80
The secrets of superb public speaking--based on the best of the best of Toastmasters Toastmasters, a name synonymous with public speaking, is dedicated to developing its members' communication and leadership skills.

Now Distinguished Toastmaster Jeremey Donovan and Public Speaking World Champion Ryan Avery break down the winning speeches from Toastmasters' prestigious annual competition--providing you with tips and techniques guaranteed to improve your speaking, presentation, and communication skills. They also include a special section of insights and advice for readers who aspire...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

Don't have time to read the top Public Speaking books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
81
The Magic of Public Speaking is a comprehensive step-by-step system for creating highly effective speeches. It is based on research from the top 1000 speakers in the modern world. The techniques you will learn have been tested on hundreds of professional speakers and work! You will receive the exact steps needed to create a speech that will keep your audience on the edge of their seats. The book is easy to follow, entertaining to read and uses many examples from real speeches. This system will make sure that every time you go on stage your speech is an outstanding one. less

See more recommendations for this book...

82
Are you an author or creative preparing for success? Do you want to learn to speak effectively in front of an audience? Do you identify as an introvert?

All successful creatives have to speak and present in public, whether that's at a festival, on a podcast or radio show, or as part of earning multiple streams of income. But you don’t have to be like Tony Robbins, bouncing around on stage with a booming voice and larger than life personality. You just have to be you and tell your story in your own way.

In this book, I'll share everything I know as a professional speaker,...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

84

The Complete Guide to Public Speaking

Comprehensive, practical, and accessible, The Complete Guide to Public Speaking serves all the needs of public speakers, from the seasoned pro to the greenest rookie. Whether you're trying to start a career as a professional speaker or improve your speaking skills to further your career or influence those around you, this straightforward guide will help you deliver dynamic, compelling, and convincing presentations. Author Jeff Davidson distills his eighteen years of experience as a public speaker, covering every aspect of public speaking, from the practical details of presentations to the... more

See more recommendations for this book...

85

Speeches That Changed the World

Comprehensively updated with many new speeches including Earl Spencer's lament to 'The extraordinary and irreplaceable Diana', Nikita Khrushchev's secret speech of 1956 signalling the beginning of the end of Stalinist Russia, Patrick Pearse's rousing funeral oration that fanned the flames of the Easter Rising, Kevin Rudd's historic apology to Australia's mistreated Aborigines and Barack Obama's momentous US election night victory speech. Alongside these are the finest war cries of Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King's prophetic 'I have a dream' and 'I've seen the promised land' speeches,... more

See more recommendations for this book...

86
This is the 3rd Edition of the Book.As the 95%, 5 Star-book reviews reveal, Stuttering & Anxiety Self-Cures (SAC) is unique, as it offers concrete, step-by-step methods to self-cure stuttering, a disease that doctors and speech therapists continue to insist is "incurable" - all written by an author who cured himself and has helped many others self-cure. Proof that his methods work is provided by the Success Stories that are posted monthly on Speech Anxiety Anonymous' (SAA's) website (the author's charity, which he alone funds, where self-cured stutterers help others stop... more

See more recommendations for this book...

87
You can change the world—one audience at a time!
 
Today's challenging times call for passionate visionaries who are authentic and articulate communicators. Speaking coach and consultant Gail Larsen presents a proven program that liberates the "speaker within" and transforms even the reluctant orator into an agent of change.
 
While most books on public speaking focus on polishing your presentation and overcoming fear, Larsen's holistic blend of spirit and logic goes far beyond the standard format, making TRANSFORMATIONAL SPEAKING a must-read for even the most seasoned...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

88
One reason public speaking is such a nightmare for so many people is that they think they have to be “perfect.” They drive themselves crazy trying to conform to all sorts of handed-down rules that tie them up in knots and put their audiences to sleep. Karen Hough says you can throw out those rules, relax, be yourself, make “mistakes,” and connect with your audience much more effectively than the guy with the impeccable PowerPoint slides.

Hough has used her unique presentation approach to take the anxiety out of one of the greatest fears in business. Her book debunks over a dozen...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

89
Does the thought of public speaking raise your blood pressure? Are the moments leading up to having to speak in front of a crowd feel like you less

See more recommendations for this book...

90
Last year, one in three American weddings were officiated by a friend or family member. With the officiating trend on the rise, novice officiants need a resource to guide them. In The Wedding Officiant's Guide, interfaith minister Lisa Francesca breaks down the entire officiating process, from becoming an ordained officiant and interviewing the couple to drafting and performing a moving ceremony. Written in an engaging and friendly tone, and featuring empowering advice, suggested readings, stories and lessons learned from new officiants, and practical tips from wedding planners, this... more

See more recommendations for this book...

Don't have time to read the top Public Speaking books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
91
The nation's premier communications expert shares his wisdom on how the words we choose can change the course of business, of politics, and of life in this country In Words That Work, Luntz offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the tactical use of words and phrases affects what we buy, who we vote for, and even what we believe in. With chapters like "The Ten Rules of Successful Communication" and "The 21 Words and Phrases for the 21st Century," he examines how choosing the right words is essential. Nobody is in a better position to explain than Frank Luntz: He has... more
Recommended by Ryan Holiday, Brian Burkhart, and 2 others.

Ryan HolidayThese two books are the two best books of political thinking and theater from both the left and the right. Regardless of ideologies, both are experts in influencing and leading public perception through image and words. It actually matters whether we’re talking about illegal immigrants or undocumented workers, or whether we describe the problem as climate change or global warming. Strategists... (Source)

Brian BurkhartHe’s the one who said the two most powerful words are “imagine” and “believe.” That’s huge, and I absolutely agree. (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

92
This is a practical storytelling guide from comedian, winner of multiple Moth storytelling competitions, and founder of the Upright Citizens Brigade storytelling program, Margot Leitman. Did you ever wish you could tell a story that leaves others spellbound? Storytelling teacher and champion Margot Leitman will show you how! With a fun, irreverent, and infographic approach, this guide breaks a story into concrete components with ways to improve content, structure, emotional impact, and delivery through personal anecdotes, relatable examples, and practical exercises. less

See more recommendations for this book...

93

Speak Up!

An Illustrated Guide to Public Speaking

Bringing speech into the visual age, Speak Up combines engaging writing, practical support, and engrossing real-life examples with hundreds of hand-drawn illustrations, bringing key concepts to life.
less

See more recommendations for this book...

94
Ever been to so many meetings that you couldn't get your work done? Ever fallen asleep during a bulletpoint presentation? Ever watched the news and ended up knowing less? Welcome to the land of Blah Blah Blah.The Problem: We talk so much that we don't think very well. Powerful as words are, we fool ourselves when we think our words alone can detect, describe, and defuse the multifaceted problems of today. They can't-and that's bad, because words have become our default thinking tool.

The Solution: This book offers a way out of blah-blah-blah. It's called "Vivid...
more
Recommended by David Allen, and 1 others.

See more recommendations for this book...

95
Addressing the prevalent issue of poorly designed quantitative information presentations, this accessible, practical, and comprehensive guide teaches how to properly create tables and graphs for effective and efficient communication. The critical numbers that measure the health, identify the opportunities, and forecast the future of organizations are often misrepresented because few people are trained to design accurate, informative materials, but this manual helps put an end to misinformation. This revised edition of the highly successful book includes updated figures and 91 additional pages... more

See more recommendations for this book...

96

On the Ideal Orator

In On the Ideal Orator, (De oratore), Cicero, the greatest Roman orator and prosewriter of his day, gives his mature views on rhetoric, oratory, and philosophy. Cast in the lively, literary form of a dialogue, this classic work presents a daring view of the orator as the master of all language communication while still emphasizing his role at the heart of Roman society and politics. Cicero's conception of the ideal orator represents his own original synthesis of the positions of the philosophers and the rhetoricians in the age-old quarrel between these disciplines.
...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

97
"10-Minute Toughness is a solid mental training program. In fact I feel it is the best of its kind. . . . [It's] what the title says: ten minutes a day that connects your talents and abilities to the outcome you're seeking. As a retired NFL player looking forward, I can see as many applications for the toughness Jason Selk's program brought out of me in the business world as there were on the football field."
--Jeff Wilkins, Former NFL Pro Bowl Kicker

"The mental side of the game is extremely important. 10-Minute Toughness helps the players develop the...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

98
In Policy Debate: A Guide for High School and College Debaters, Shawn F. Briscoe introduces educators, coaches, and students at the high school and college levels to the concepts at the foundation of policy debate, also known as cross-examination debate, and uses conceptual analysis and real-world examples to help students engage in competitive debates and deploy winning strategies.

Briscoe addresses all aspects of policy debate, including stock issues, judging paradigms and effective engagement with judges, the responsibilities of both affirmative and negative teams, and...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

100

Stand and Deliver

The Dale Carnegie Method to Public Speaking

Uncover the prized communication secrets of U.S. Presidents, CEOs, and successful people everywhere!

Stand and Deliver gives you everything you need to know to become an incredibly poised, polished, masterful communicator. Someone who can hold an audience of 1, 10, or 1000 in the palm of your hand, from the first word you speak to them until the last.

You will learn...

• How to identify your authentic self so that you project an original and unique style
• How to win over any audience in ONE MINUTE
• A 5-point checklist to...
more

See more recommendations for this book...

Don't have time to read the top Public Speaking books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.