Book
Public Speaking and Influencing Men in Business
📖 Overview
Public Speaking and Influencing Men in Business is Dale Carnegie's 1937 guide to mastering public speaking and business communication. The book expands on his 1926 work and served as a core text for the Dale Carnegie Course training program.
The text covers fundamental aspects of public speaking, from preparation and memory techniques to delivery methods and audience engagement. Through systematic instruction and real examples, Carnegie outlines strategies for opening talks, maintaining audience interest, and closing with impact.
The work contains sixteen chapters focused on practical skills like developing confidence, improving diction, and crafting clear messages. Carnegie includes study materials and references to speeches by notable orators to illustrate his teachings.
This book represents a pivotal work in business communication literature, establishing principles that influenced decades of public speaking instruction. Its emphasis on psychology and human connection in public speaking continues to shape modern presentation methodology.
👀 Reviews
Readers consistently note this book provides practical public speaking techniques that remain relevant despite its 1926 publication date. Many highlight Carnegie's straightforward approach and actionable advice.
What readers liked:
- Clear examples and case studies
- Step-by-step instructions for speech preparation
- Focus on building confidence
- Tips for engaging audiences
- Methods for handling stage fright
What readers disliked:
- Dated language and cultural references
- Some anecdotes feel irrelevant to modern contexts
- Repetitive content, especially in later chapters
- Male-centric perspective (as noted by several female readers)
Ratings:
Goodreads: 4.2/5 (1,248 ratings)
Amazon: 4.5/5 (89 ratings)
Sample review quotes:
"The principles are timeless even if some examples are ancient" - Goodreads reviewer
"More practical than his famous relationships book" - Amazon reviewer
"Could be condensed to half its length" - LibraryThing reviewer
📚 Similar books
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
The original guide teaches readers to build relationships, influence others, and communicate effectively in professional settings.
Talk Like TED by Carmine Gallo An analysis of successful TED talks reveals the techniques and structures used by speakers to deliver memorable presentations.
Confessions of a Public Speaker by Scott Berkun A speaker with decades of experience shares the mechanics of effective presentations and methods to handle public speaking challenges.
Made to Stick by Dan Heath The book breaks down why certain ideas capture attention and demonstrates how to craft messages that resonate with audiences.
Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln by James C. Humes The speaking techniques of history's greatest orators provide a framework for delivering powerful speeches in modern business contexts.
Talk Like TED by Carmine Gallo An analysis of successful TED talks reveals the techniques and structures used by speakers to deliver memorable presentations.
Confessions of a Public Speaker by Scott Berkun A speaker with decades of experience shares the mechanics of effective presentations and methods to handle public speaking challenges.
Made to Stick by Dan Heath The book breaks down why certain ideas capture attention and demonstrates how to craft messages that resonate with audiences.
Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln by James C. Humes The speaking techniques of history's greatest orators provide a framework for delivering powerful speeches in modern business contexts.
🤔 Interesting facts
⭐ Over 500,000 copies of this book were sold in its first year of publication, making it an instant bestseller in 1926.
⭐ Dale Carnegie developed the book's content from his experience teaching public speaking courses at the YMCA, where he charged $2 per session.
⭐ The manuscript was initially rejected by multiple publishers who believed the market for public speaking books was saturated.
⭐ This book laid the foundation for Carnegie's more famous work "How to Win Friends and Influence People," published a decade later in 1936.
⭐ Warren Buffett credits taking Dale Carnegie's public speaking course, based on principles from this book, as one of the most valuable investments he ever made in himself.