How to Develop Self Confidence and Improve Public Speaking

I read this book before I did a presentation of my book to THE LOS ANGELES ATAXIA SUPPORT GROUP. It helped me a lot, and gave me the confidence that I needed to display my book in an oral book presentation.I will go over a few of the key points of this wonderful book by Dale Carnegie, Inc., and why the information was what I needed to hear.-In order to be a good public speaker you must have a strong and persistant desire to relate this information. (Yes, there is a strong and urgent need to increase awareness of CEREBELLAR ATAXIA as well as all of the other varieties of ATAXIA-a neurological, progressive, physical disorder that impairs coordination. I have been becoming more and more physically handicapped with my genetic neurological disorder since I was 17.)-Know thoroughly what you are going to talk about. Don't speak until you are sure that you have something to say, and then say it, and sit down. (I am already sitting in a wheelchair due to my progressive, genetic disorder. I related to my audience how I wrote the book, over years, the publication process, and then I recited three of the poems from my book.)-Practice, Practice, Practice. Be prepared. State your facts, argue from them, and appeal for action. (I described how it is to live with a progressive, neurological handicap. I hope it will raise awareness of ATAXIA.)Those are a few of the key point of this marvelous book by Dale Carnegie, Inc.My book is called Dreams in August: Life, Love, and Cerebellar Ataxia

This is a great book about public speaking, thinking clearly, communicating effectively, and life in general."Have a message, and then think of yourself as a Western Union boy instructed to deliver it. We pay slight attention to the boy. It is the telegram we want. The message -- that is the thing. Keep your mind on it. Keep your heart in it. Know it like the back of your hand. Believe it feelingly. Then talk as if you were determined to say it. Do that, and the chances are ten to one that you will soon be master of the occasion and master of yourself."page 12Open this book to any page and read and you will be captivated by wisdom and humor. Your day will be better for it.

Dale Carnegie's influence on how modern America does business is undeniable. Mastering the art of communication is probably the one of the most (if not the most) valuable asset to success. Given his reputation, Carnegie's take on the subject is a great start for anyone who plans on making public speaking part of their professional repertoire. His basic methodology, although a bit dated (the book was written more than half a century ago), is still applicable to today's business world.I've taken a couple of public speaking classes and have read a few tomes on the subject. I've found some other, more modern writers to be better resources on the subject, but it doesn't take away from the fact that I still benefitted greatly from this read. The cover advertises "time-tested methods of persuasion" and although I agree that having organized thoughts, clear communication, and enjoyable mannerisms as necessary to state a point effectively, I don't think it guarantees you to be persuasive. The book is a relatively easy read although I found some of the language and examples dated and a few of the parts repeating the same points, making it a little tedious.I would recommend this book to someone who wants a practical start to effective communicating.

As Advertsed

I love this book. Since I want to improve my public speaking I decided to read this book. But ask the book suggests reading the book only will not improve public speaking. If you truly want to get better you need to apply the principles written in this book. That's why I recommend you to join Toastmasters or any other public speaking organization there you can practice the principles Carnegie wrote in his book. I particularly didn't like this edition of the book because it contained a lot of spelling mistakes. Otherwise the book is excellent.

This book really pertains to SPEECH WRITING when you have days/weeks/months to prepare, and gives several examples. It is written in language that was proper in the 1930's - 1940's, which can sometimes be distracting. I am looking for ideas on getting rid of butterflies and speaking with confidence, especially when called on in 'spur of the moment' situations, and this book doesn't seem to deal with that.. This book is REALLY geared toward speech writing for business professionals from the 1940's. I have a lot of respect for the Dale Carnegie line of teachings, but after 4 chapters I couldn't go any further on this one... I had to switch to a more modern writing. I had ordered "In The Spotlight" by Janet Esposito along with this book and it was a breath of fresh air to begin reading that one after toiling through the Dale Carnegie book. Clear text and examples that REALLY pertain to today's issues. I am only a few chapters through this one but am really enjoying it so far and finding it very useful. So, in short, if you are looking for a book for ideas on writing professional speeches, this book MAY be for you.. At least is was cheap.

Before I read this book some 10 years ago speaking in front of a crowd induced nightmares. I was terrified.My friend advised me to read Dale Carnegie's book as it had helped him overcome his stage fright.I knew that it couldn't hurt so I gave it a shot.For the last 10 years it has been my constant companion as I now speak in front of large groups almost every week.The lessons taught in it are ridiculously simple, but have changed my life.I recommend that if you have a problem speaking in public, buy this book and read it cover to cover writing down every good tip you can and memorizing it.If you want to read a more extensive review you can visit my profile and from there my blog.Good luck.

This book will rejuvenate your confidence level and make connecting with people a joyful experience for both parties.The tactics explained in this read are fundamental and practical.Time to be a better version of yourself.

Text in my copy of this book (pocket version) is double printed, so it is impossible to read.I recommend you to buy a hard copy instead.

Easy to follow and full of useful information written in a way you can relate to any aspect of your life or job. I'm a manager and find all of Dale Carnegies books so valuable for dealing and working with people and relaying information. Definitely recommended !

It was a recomendation from a friend at work, and I really thank for that. By the way: un buen ejercicio para aprender inglés

This book is a companion to Carnegie's other classic, "How to Win Friends and Influence People". So some of the anectodes, passages, and principles are shared (such as Carnegie's fascination with the life of ex-US president Abraham Lincoln). And the reading of both books offers a complementary set of ideas and skills that share the same aim: learning to deal with other people, publicly and privately.Not only is this a comprenhensive guide to developing the art of public speaking (a job it performs as it should: offering an emphasis on practice and practical, specific advice)...but by trying to solve that particular problem so ambitiously, it ends up offering the solutions an endless set of areas of life.This book is, escentially, a discussion of every problem that involves the process of gathering and communicating ideas. "Gathering and communicating ideas"... it is what these days gets mistakingly refered to as "the creative process". Every form of art and design, from writting, to drawing, to acting, falls into this cathegory of "gathering ideas and then communicating them to an audience".If you engage in one of these "creative activities"...have you ever gone through an "art block"? that frustrating mental block that inhabilates your action and stops you from generating ideas/putting them on paper? well, thinking of a speech in real-time is a race that makes you jump through the same hurdles. The methods described to make speeches here, effectively deal with those same barriers. By consciously applying those techniques, you could theorically overcome any "art block" that gets in the way.Ever been gotten stuck while learning *something*? preparing a speech requires proper *internalization* of the material, and this book covers tons of methods for internalization and deep understanding that are as applicable to speech-making as they are to learning /any/ theorical material.But at its core, what makes this stand out is its standing, valiant, daring desire to actually, honestly, humbly speak about that (much mentioned, but seldom defined) concept known as "human nature".The author goes to great leghts to identify what is it that makes people *tick*.What are the principles that rule our lives and that will make us *do* things- like let someone give us a lecture? what makes people INTERESTED in things? if we make the conscious descision to understand those principles, to disect them and review them fearlessly, then those principles will be the applicable to every single area of our lives. Whenever we might need to infleunce people to take action, or to win them to our way of thinking... to make our ideas clear; or simply to entertain...that whole process is described so beautifully and thoughtfully that it is what gives this text its trascendential quality._The one flaw in this text (not nearly as evident in HTWFAIP) is the same present in most other western classics of the 20th century: it is uncomfortably bigoted. There are a considerable ammount of racist passages and anectodes, and the evangelist christianist perspective gets tiring very quickly. Althought these features aren't prevalent enough to make it un-readable, it does make getting through some reasings slightly more difficult and hinders the overall message sometimes.(I do not know however if newer editions have been edited to take out said problematic material, which is certainely possible. The book I own was a second-hand copy purchased in a book-fair years ago...and it doesn't even have the year of printing or editorial house!)With all that said...considering how this book offers solutions to many other problems not inherent to public speaking, it should be obligatory reading to almost anybody who deals in any way with the act of communication, at any point in their lives!