Good Ideas: Books Worth Reading
Public Speaking
Aristotle, “The Rhetoric and The Poetics.” The arts of persuasive oratory and fiction and narrative.
“Eloquence in an Electronic Age,” by Kathleen Hall Jamieson. The noted scholar provides a brilliant account of the transformation of political speechmaking.
“How to Win Friends and Influence People,” by Dale Carnegie. This granddaddy of how to books first published in 1937 is still relevant today.
“Our Masters Voices,” by Max Atkinson. The language and body language of politics.
“Oxford BBC Guide to Pronunciation: The Essential Handbook of the Spoken Word,” Lena Olausson & Catherine Sangster.
"Straight from the Heart," Ann Richards. The former Governor of Texas shares the inside story of her keynote address at the 1988 Democratic National Convention.
"The Elements of Speechwriting & Public Speaking," Jeff Scott Cook. Preparing and delivering powerful, eloquent, and well-received speeches.
"The Elements of Style," William Strunk Jr. & E.B. White. How to get the writing right.
"The Voice Book," Michael McCallion. A guide for everyone who wants to make the most of their voice.
"We Shall Be Heard: Women Speakers in America," Patricia Scileppi Kennedy & Gloria Harmann O'Shields. A collection of the rhetoric of oustanding American women.
“What Everybody Is Saying: An ex-FBI Agent’s Guide to Speed-Reading People,” by Joe Navarro & Marvin Karlins. Learn what your body language is saying to others.
Dealing With the News Media
"A Scientist's Guide to Talking With the Media," Richard Hayes & Daniel Grossman. A must read for all scientists and researchers who want to spread their message on their own terms.
"Making the News: A Guide for Nonprofits & Activists," Jason Salzman. The nitty-gritty, the nuts and bolts, to compete in the not-so-free marketplace of ideas.
"The Huffington Post Complete Guide to Blogging," editors of the Huffington Post. A how to guide with selections from the sites top bloggers.
"The Medium is the Massage," Marshall McLuhan & Quentin Fiore. The popular classic presents McLuhan's still relevant ideas about the power of the media.
Message Development
"Bang: Getting YOur Message Heard in a Noisy World," Linda Kaplan Thaler & Robin Koval. Marketing gurus share stories from behind the scenes of memorable ad campaigns.
"Framing the Debate," Jeffrey Feldman. Famous presidential speeches and how progressives can use them to change the conversation and win elections.
"Un-Spun: Finding Facts in a World of Disinformation," Brooks Jackson & Kathleen Hall Jamieson. Learn how to be your own truth squad by decoding the 21st Century world of disinformation.
"Words that Work: It's Not What You Say, It's What People Hear," Frank Lutz. The pollster discusses his techniques for crafting effective language and how to find and use the right words to get what you want."
"You are the Message: Getting What You Want By Being Who You Are," Roger Ailes. How to be a good communicator from a former Reagan White House Aid.