Public Speaking, Powerpoint, and Presentation Book Reviews
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.
Reviewed Books
Book reviews are a regular feature on Six Minutes. Subscribe to Six Minutes to receive future reviews.
- Title
- slide:ology
- Author
- Nancy Duarte
- What is it About
- The book on effective visual presentations from the expert whose design firm created the graphics for Al Gore's Oscar-winning film, An Inconvenient Truth.
- Who Should Read It
- Everyone who wants a classic reference text for presentation design. You'll read this again and again.
- Read the Complete Book Review
- Title
- Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln: 21 Powerful Secrets of History's Greatest Speakers
- 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
- 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
- Title
- Clear and to The Point: 8 Psychological Principles for Compelling PowerPoint Presentations
- Author
- Stephen Kosslyn
- What is it About
- Well-written book full of practical tips and techniques that can be applied immediately to design your slides more effectively.
- Who Should Read It
- All speakers who want their visuals to complement and reinforce their message.
- Read the Complete Book Review
- Title
- The Wealthy Speaker: The Proven Formula for Building Your Successful Speaking Business
- Author
- Jane Atkinson
- What is it About
- An insider's view of professional speaking with loads of tips and insights for positioning yourself in the industry.
- Who Should Read It
- Established speakers ready to take the next step professionally and new speakers who are curious about the possibilities.
- Read the Complete Book Review
- Title
- Multimedia Learning
- Author
- Richard E. Mayer
- What is it About
- An academic review of cognitive research which provides guidelines for the design of visual presentation aids.
- Who Should Read It
- Teachers, trainers, instructors, and speaking coaches who want to understand the cognitive theory behind modern slide design.
- Read the Complete Book Review
- Title
- Better Beginnings: How to Capture Your Audience in 30 Seconds
- Author
- Carmen Taran
- What is it About
- One-of-a-kind! An engaging and thorough treatment for one of the most essential public speaking skills -- how to open your speech.
- Who Should Read It
- Every speaker will benefit from this book, whether you speak with visuals or off the cuff, to investors or children.
- Read the Complete Book Review
- Title
- Advanced Presentations by Design: Creating Communication that Drives Action
- Author
- Andrew Abela
- What is it About
- A comprehensive approach to planning and designing presentations focused on selling ideas and persuading your audience.
- Who Should Read It
- All presenters, particularly those who present in a business or scientific context. You will love this book if you like an interactive, workshop-style format.
- Read the Complete Book Review
- Title
- You've Got to Be Believed to Be Heard
- Author
- Bert Decker
- What is it About
- A comprehensive, general-purpose, introductory public speaking guide.
- Who Should Read It
- Any novice or intermediate speaker will benefit greatly by reading this book.
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Rain Making: Attract New Clients No Matter What Your Field
- Author
- Ford Harding
- What is it About
- Practical advice teaching you the things you need to do to build your network, add clients, and increase your revenue.
- Who Should Read It
- [1] You are (or want to be) a professional speaker seeking to make more money or [2] You are a professional who would like to leverage your speaking skills to grow your business?
- Read the Complete Book Review
- 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
This is one of many public speaking articles featured on Six Minutes.
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Bert Decker — Jan 8th, 2009
RT @6minutes: Favorite presentation books: http://bit.ly/F6cW Reader favorites: http://bit.ly/12Rmp
Brian Johnson — Jan 13th, 2009
@6minutes *awesome*!! thx for the public speaking book reviews! brilliant. http://tinyurl.com/7jgr4v
tomvenuto — Jan 14th, 2009
@6minutes Awesome list of public speaking books! Thanks! RT: http://bit.ly/F6cW http://bit.ly/12Rmp