Buyer Be Avised: It may not be what you think

This is a well-done series of lectures, but their focus is not on an analysis of the great speaches. It is about how to give a speach, and it uses excerpts of some great speaches to illustrate its how-to points on speaking. if that's what you're looking for, then give this a listen! If you want to hear the full versions of historical speaches, look elsewhere.

44 people found this helpful

Fair to middling

This audiobook is a series of lectures looking at history's most memorable speeches. It is a good analysis of those speeches and helps us to understand the elements which combine to make great oratory. He helps us to understand the different strategies that should be used for different purposes. So, for example, Ghandi used 'logos' or logic to prove his point when he was on trial for his life, whilst Martin Luther King appealed to the emotions when he gave his iconic 'I have a dream' speech.

Whilst this analysis is interesting, there is a slight conflict of interests within the book which doesn't work so well. The lecturer is supposedly trying to teach us how to be better public speakers, but to this he draws his lessons from speeches made by history's heavyweight orators made at pivotal moments in the World's history, such as Churchill's 'Blood, sweat and tears' speech and Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. This is slightly comical, as the average listener buying this self-help lecture series will likely do no more than give a best-man speech at a wedding.

Despite this qualm, the audiobook is interesting and worth a listen.

30 people found this helpful

Exactly What it Aims to Be

Not everyone has reviewed this course so positively, but the problem is a matter of managing expectations. This is an academic course, a series of engaging lectures about the art of speaking and its origins. If you're looking for a "pep talk" course about the speaking industry or a fast path to making a fortune as a motivational speaker, this isn't it. But if you're truly interested in speaking, this course offers insights and examples that will provide insight into great speeches and what makes them work (or not). John Hale has done an excellent job organizing his content and curating historical examples that support his points. His advice is all valuable, and his unspoken message - that serious practitioners of any craft should understand the history and literature that have led to contemporary practice - is worth paying attention to. As a professional speaker, I plan to slowly memorize a handful of Hale's speech selections (Gettysburg Address, Patrick Henry, etc.) and learn to deliver them artfully. If you're a speaker - an art for which there is little academic support - approach this audio book as a student and you'll find plenty of good material to use on the platform.

24 people found this helpful

Brilliant! Learn from history's success stories.

If you could sum up The Art of Public Speaking: Lessons from the Greatest Speeches in History in three words, what would they be?

Listen, Learn, Apply

What did you like best about this story?

The professor is very engaging and the examples from history were very well selected.
Each story has a purpose.

Which scene was your favorite?

Queen Elizabeth addressing the troops as an example of how to connect with your audience.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The importance of storytelling and how to apply the lesson to all your speaking.
Also, it was encouraging to hear that Mark Twain was so nervous about his major speech that he took steps to prepare (which I can apply to my own speaking as well).

Any additional comments?

This course is not only informative, but fun as well.

18 people found this helpful

Fine book.

Where does The Art of Public Speaking: Lessons from the Greatest Speeches in History rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The performance of the speaker in the book was great. The book was divided into 12 half hours lectures, that did i found great.
The book was technical about how a speech is build up, and how to use the diffrent element in a speech.
I will rank this book in the middel of the "self learning" book i have listened to so far.

If you’ve listened to books by The Great Courses before, how does this one compare?

I have not listened to other books in "The Great Courses" before.

Which scene was your favorite?

I did like that the narrator used old speeches, from a lot of famous people, like Martin L. King, Lincoln, Churchill and many more. Then he analyse the speeches to see what was good and what was bad in the speeches.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

The book was spilt into 12 half hours lectures, wich made it easy to listen to, and easy to find a spot for pause, if you wanted to do that.

Any additional comments?

I thought that this book was more about, how to make a presentation of some study you have made, more than how a speech is built up and how to use the diffrenrent thing in a speech, but it was OK to hear about, and i learned som new stuff.

10 people found this helpful

Ask what the greats can teach you

Very interesting look at the art of public speaking by looking at the greats including Gandhi, Churchill, Kennedy, Reagan, King and other from form ancient times for insight on how we can be better in the art. The academician look at the topic was an interesting twist that shows how much of the art is timeless and unchanging.

9 people found this helpful

Understandable !!!

Is so amazing, that I have listened a few times in the same week!! .

3 people found this helpful

Clear. Concise. Comprehensive.

What made the experience of listening to The Art of Public Speaking: Lessons from the Greatest Speeches in History the most enjoyable?

Many of his points will improve your writing as well as your public speaking skills.

3 people found this helpful

Good history lesson but not as advertised.

An academic history lesson here and very little substance here on public speaking. I guess you should expect that from someone from academia and someone with an archaeology background. Title is a bit misleading and if you want to learn about public speaking, skip this one. The title that would be more appropriate, is great speeches from history but not the art of public speaking.

2 people found this helpful

Well Structured Outline

This audiobook covers a lot of ground in all the various ways you can deliver a public speech. By showing the pro's and con's of the various "great speeches" I have been able to implement these lessons into my daily life.
The way the course is structured is well thought out and kept me engaged all the time.

2 people found this helpful