Public Speaking, Powerpoint, and Presentation Book Reviews
Mission
There are thousands of public speaking books available. Some are good. Some are great. Some are horrible. Our goal is to provide a detailed synopsis to help you decide which books meet your needs to boost your speaking and presentation skills so that you can add them to your personal reading list.
Reading List
The reviewed books are briefly described below. Click the links to read the full reviews.
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- Title
- Visualizing Information for Advocacy: An Introduction to Information Design
- Author
- John Emerson
- What is it About
- Free e-book which shows how advocacy groups use visual design to successfully convey their message. The principles apply to all visual media, include standard slideware (e.g. PowerPoint).
- Who Should Read It
- Anyone who wants to learn how to apply strong visualization design to make their message more compelling.
- Read the Complete Book Review
- Title
- Fire Them Up!
- Author
- Carmine Gallo
- What is it About
- Focuses not on short term steps (things to do), but on seven qualities of inspiring business communicators (things to embrace). Draws examples from many high-profile corporations, including Apple, Starbucks, Cranium, and many more.
- Who Should Read It
- Business leaders who want to inspire everyone around them to be successful.
- Read the Complete Book Review
- Title
- The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking
- Author
- Dale Carnegie
- What is it About
- Practical and plain public speaking advice. Covers a wide breadth of topics. This book contains the foundation for the Dale Carnegie speaking courses which have been completed by millions of people.
- Who Should Read It
- Novice speakers or anyone whose fear of speaking leads them to believe that they cannot excel as a speaker.
- Read the Complete Book Review
- Title
- The Story Factor
- Author
- Annette Simmons
- What is it About
- Makes a strong case of the power of storytelling to influence and inspire, in both public speaking and business communications.
Discusses the different types of stories that every speaker must be able to tell. Weaves numerous stories through the book. - Who Should Read It
- (1) Anyone who is not yet convinced how powerful storytelling can be.
(2) Speakers looking to enhance their story repertoire. - Read the Complete Book Review
- Title
- Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln
- Author
- James Humes
- What is it About
- 21 chapters averaging about 10 pages each. Each chapter introduces one simple speaking technique. Historical and contemporary examples are used throughout.
- Who Should Read It
- All speakers looking to elevate their speechwriting and delivery from good to great.
- Read the Complete Book Review
- Title
- Presentation Zen
- Author
- Garr Reynolds
- What is it About
- Bestseller which teaches presentation design. Emphasizes designing around the message rather than designing around the slides. Includes numerous full-color examples of slides, both good and bad.
- Who Should Read It
- Every speaker, particularly those who want to break free from the "Death by Powerpoint" mold.
- Read the Complete Book Review
