Fun book! I read it for entertainment, and learned a little along the way. I will revisit this if I want to become a better public speaker, but take notes on the second go around! ( )

Not to deep - not to serious - fast and furious. ( )

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I am not the most confident public speaker, and I need to do it fairly regularly for my work. This gave some GREAT tips, funny anecdotes, and a laid-back way of looking at things. I highly recommend it. ( )

I saw Scott speak at a web development conference in Sydney, Australia. I initially wrote in this review that it was amongst the best of the presentations at that 2-day event, but I'm now editing it to say it *was* the best. Several years on, his is the only presentation that still stays with me and that I can even remember seeing. And he wasn't even talking about web development per se.

The book was immensely enjoyable and entertaining, even for someone who plans never to speak in public.

On a personal note, the book contains my 15 minutes of fame: an anecdote by Scott of our meeting, and a picture of the back of my head. Woo. ( )

Confessions of a Public Speaker by Scott Berkun is an easy-to-read book filled the stories, quotes and suggestions on how to be a better public speaker.

His audience is anyone who needs to stand in front of a crowd and talk in public. He assumes these speakers are addressing lectures halls or conferences with audiences of 10 to 1000 or more.

The author’s key messages are: don’t worry about being perfect, the audience wants to like you; practice, practice, practice; and be honest with the audience at all times, even when things are not going your way.

The book is generously littered with stories of his personal failures and triumphs that are insightful and funny, but his solid advice was my favourite part of the book. In particular Chapter 6, “The science of not boring people” talks about tension and release, power, setting the pace, involving the audience, and ending early. I’ve seen some of these techniques done, perhaps even inadvertently used some of them myself, but to have them named and explained was very powerful for me.

He finishes the book with some behind the scenes stories, some lessons about a television show he appeared on, and an exposition on the idea that you are teaching every time you are speaking in front of others. He also has some real concrete examples of good things that regular speakers always do, including helpful hints on making your arguments clearer, and what to do when you encounter a truly hostile audience.

From a page-count and chapter title perspective the book seems finished but the resources in the last 30 pages make this a section that people should ensure they read thoroughly. He includes a ranked annotated biography, as well as a slew of on-line sites and resources, including his own—www.scottberkun.com.

In all, I highly recommend this book for those interested in becoming a better public speaker as well as those just curious about the speaking industry-his behind-the-scenes and insider stories are worth the read even without all the good advice he also dispenses. ( )