On Speaking Well: How to Give a Speech With Style, Substance, and Clarity Paperback – Bargain Price, February 17, 1999

The title of this book is a misnomer. The author is a professional political writer and she uses political anecdotes throughout the book to drive the points home. This book should be called "On Speaking and Writing Political Speeches Well". Also, the book has no table of contents and only has a modicum of sections. This makes it difficult to read. And I find that the index is not very useful. However, this is not to say that the tips and lessons cannot be extrapolated to cover all conceivable situations. In fact they can, if you have the patience. I therefore agree with the blurb that 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". This book consists of hundreds of blinding insights. 10 of them are: (1). The reality you are imagining is worse than the reality that will be; (2). Reagan used to say that noone wants to sit in an audience in respectful silence for more than 20 minutes; (3). I have made more than 100 speeches and I still cannot do it from cards, every word has to be written down in a text; (4). Reagan always needed a joke at the top of a speech because he needed the quick victory of laughter; (5). Tell'em what you you've gonna tell'em - tell them - then tell them what you told'em; (6). True things are usually said straight, and plain and direct; (7). The most moving thing is a speech is always the logic, not its poetic or flowery; (8). Speeches actually have to say things. And great speeches are great because they say great things; (9). Style is not a replacement for substance, and cannot camouflage a lack of substance; and (10). The future does not belong to the fainthearted, it belongs to the brave. Because this book contains hundreds of blinding insights, I am prepared to give it 5 stars. Digest this book and your public speaking skills will improve dramatically.

Peggy Noonan is a professional in every sense of what that means. Here she shares her experience and the experiences of others who have written, delivered, or listened to effective, and not-so-effective speeches. This valuable little book is chock full of tidbits that will help everyone new to public speaking as well as reminding veteran speakers and speechwriters to get back to basics. Top shelf stuff; highly recommend.

I have the Kindle version. The author knows her subject and presents it well. The book is relatively short and flows well. I've never been a speechwriter, but I do some writing and speaking and I try to inform myself on what others, like Ms. Noonan, think are best practices for both activities.Reading the book, you may think as I did, this is about how to be a Presidential speech writer, which I will never be. Just accept that this is writing and speaking at the highest level and I will try to apply these lessons as best I can at my level.So, it's well written and a fairly quick read. I thought it I interesting that she hammered on the importance of logic in the speech; a purpose on which all else hangs. Rhetorical flourishes are not so necessary and may detract from the speaker's message. First, have a message.The author provides examples. Princess Diana's brother's eulogy of her at her funeral was one. I found it moving in light of the obvious family stresses.I gave it four, and not five, stars because the book was published in 1998 before the ubiquity of social media. It would be interesting to hear how the author thinks that social media has affected the writing and delivery of speeches.If you do write and present speeches and talks to audiences, the book provides some useful guidance. For these purposes I recommend it.

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.

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.

Ms. Noonan has graciously given her experienced thoughts about “Speaking Well”.It is well for each of us to take time to think about her thoughts, advice and guidance so we might do better in getting our voice right so others might hear the message.

Es un buen libro para conocer tips para hacer discursos. Al principio parecía que no lo sería, daba muchas vueltas. Pero una vez que comenzó con los consejos fue ameno e instructivo. Sí valió la pena su lectura.

Correcto

A very interesting book with interesting insider information for people passioned about Public speaking and wanting to learn to write well formulated messages

I have read many guides to speaking and writing. This is by far the best. I keep it near me, and consult it regularly, as I have for many years.I believe a person of any age, liberal or conservative, can absorb and benefit from Peggy Noonan's crystal clear thinking on this topic.I just gave it to my 14 year old grandson, because that is the age I was when my brain began its very eager and open quest for knowledge.This book will edify, strengthen and encourage you to express your own original self and your ideas in the most profound and effective way.

Peggy Noonan is a wonderful author - I have everything she has every written and this book did not disappoint.