Lend Me Your Ears

Oct 2, 2024 10:43 PM

Author:Max Atkinson

Lend Me Your Ears

The past twenty years has seen the emergence of an industry standard model of presentation - the slide show. Yet research has shown that audiences are deeply dissatisfied with this mode of public speaking. In Lend Me Your Ears, Max Atkinson - a highly experienced speaker and trainer, having been involved in speech writing for business, politics and the arts for 30 years - uses the findings of recent scientific research combined with the rules of classical rhetoric to highlight the secrets of successful persuasion. Using extensive research based on empirical evidence, Max has developed a new and provocative way of looking at speech making, providing the reader with practical and simple guidelines, exercises and tips to improve performance, including:--advice on the use of classical rhetoric--how to write a speech when in a rush--the myths surrounding visual aids --the use of body language. And much more!

With expert advice that will appeal to everyone from experienced CEOs to those writing that all-important wedding speech, this is destined to be the definitive text in this area.

Reviews

There was scarcely a single major speech, in my eleven years as leader of the Liberal Democrats that I mad without benefiting from Max's personal advice and help. 'Lend Me Your Ears' includes many new insights into the art of effective speaking, and will be invaluable to all those interested in making words count and using verbal communication to influence people.

—— Paddy Ashdown

Neither politicians nor business leaders can lead today without the ability to communicate effectively with audiences of all sizes and compositions. They have two choices: (1) be born with the ability, or (2) read Max Atkinson's books and learn.

—— Michael Sheehan, Speech coach to Clinton

Horrifying and very funny... [an] excellent book

—— Wall Street Journal

A searingly funny account... Hilarious

—— Evening Standard

The result of Delves Broughton's time there is this funny and revealing insider's view, revealing precisely because he is genuinely fascinated by the world of business, and his fascination is infectious

—— The Sunday Times

He sets the scene brilliantly, capturing an essence of HBS that is part cult, part psychological morass, part hothouse... For anyone planning to attend this remarkable institution, Delves Broughton's book is invaluable... A quite brilliant book

—— Simon Heffer , Literary Review

Delves Broughton sketches out the Harvard curriculum and his fellow travellers with skill and wit... His work is a handy introduction for those who crave the mega-bucks and mega-power that HBS brings many of its graduates. But while it is not the kind of book that non-business readers will naturally reach for, it deserves a broader audience

—— The Times

A useful primer for anyone considering a similar path, or just curious as to how Harvard churns out all those gleaming little masters of the universe

—— Washington Post

A particularly absorbing and entertaining read

—— Financial Times

A cautionary tale for those who believe that the grass - and their future paycheck - would be greener if only they could jump the fence into the rarefied world of the Masters of Business Administration

—— New York Times

Original, clever, funny - and full of insights into one of the most influential insitutions in the world

—— George Osborne, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer

What They Teach You...' is a hilarious, perceptive and unflinching account of the strange world of Harvard Business School, its students and the wider world of business which they are set to dominate. It is the Liar's Poker of the MBA set. Destined to become a classic

—— Albert Read, General Manager of Conde Nast

Informative, wry, and well-written, this book will make rewarding and pleasurable reading for anybody wishing to understand why business is the way it is.

—— John Cassidy, staff writer for The New Yorker and author of Dot.Con

Kirkpatrick's amazing reporting details what happens when a hacker culture turns into a multi-billion-dollar firm. Mark Zuckerberg sought to maintain that hacker energy, and it's fascinating to hear what resulted

—— Chris Anderson, Editor of Wired and author of The Long Tail

Engrossing. . . . A detailed and scrupulously fair history of [Facebook]

—— Rich Jaroslovsky , Bloomberg Businessweek

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