" at 7:48 a.m. on a Tuesday, I am showered, cleaned, shaved, pruned, fed, and deodorized, wearing a pressed shirt and shiny shoes, in a cab on my way to the San Francisco waterfront I'm far from home, going to an unfamiliar place, and performing for strangers, three stressful facts that mean anything can happen " In this hilarious and highly practical book, author and professional speaker Scott Berkun reveals the techniques behind what great communicators do, and shows how anyone can learn to use them well. For managers and teachers-and anyone else who talks and expects someone to listen-Confessions of a Public Speaker provides an insider's perspective on how to effectively present ideas to anyone. It's a unique, entertaining, and instructional romp through the embarrassments and triumphs Scott has experienced over 15 years of speaking to crowds of all sizes. With lively lessons and surprising confessions, you'll get new insights into the art of persuasion-as well as teaching, learning, and performance-directly from a master of the trade. Highlights include:

• Berkun's hard-won and simple philosophy, culled from years of lectures, teaching courses, and hours of appearances on NPR, MSNBC, and CNBC

• Practical advice, including how to work a tough room, the science of not boring people, how to survive the attack of the butterflies, and what to do when things go wrong

• The inside scoop on who earns $30,000 for a one-hour lecture and why

• The worst-and funniest-disaster stories you've ever heard (plus countermoves you can use)

Filled with humorous and illuminating stories of thrilling performances and real-life disasters, Confessions of a Public Speaker is inspirational, devastatingly honest, and a blast to read. "A fresh, fun, memorable take on the most critical thing: what we say. Highly recommended." -Chris Anderson, Editor in Chief, Wired "Loved it! Anyone who speaks for a living-including teachers-will greatly benefit from this book." -Garr Reynolds, author of Presentation Zen

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 40 Ratings

Excellent for Speech & Debate Teachers - 2010-01-30
Reviewer Rating:
First, I have to admit that I'm a huge fan of both O'Reilly publishers and of the author of this book, Scott Berkun. That doesn't mean I'll always find their work useful. Fortunately, I haven't found anything of theirs that hasn't been useful to my career as a teacher, photographer, and public speaker. Up to this point, my high-school, public-speaking students and I had been grappling with the same, dull, pedantic textbooks about public speaking. Berkun's, on the other hand, has proved to be accessible, relative, and even hip to my cyber-age nymphs. We have almost completed our work with this wonderful book. Here are just a few of the changes we've made as a result: we completely changed the layout of my classroom, making it more comfortable for public speakers; we've used the many, simplistic ideas espoused by Berkun to explore creative means of talking about otherwise dull things; and--most fun of all--we have continually laughed at the self-effacing observations Berkun makes about the things with which we communication majors (and others) are continually so confounded.
But what is so fascinating about Berkun is not that he his such an astounding critical, provocative, and practical thinker-writer, but that he is so for our age. It's tough to be hip and reliably smart these days, especially in front of an audience. But, again, Berkun effectively helps to clear some of these things up.

More Than Just a Speaking How-To ... An Expose of the Speaking World - 2010-01-29
Reviewer Rating:
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3E020PSK0WM0F Ever read a book about public speaking? Well, I've read a bunch, and they were all about as entertaining as watching paint dry. Then I read "Confessions of a Public Speaker" and found not only a bunch of great tips for aspiring speakers, but some amusing anecdotes about the public speaking circuit. This is a must-read for speakers, aspiring speakers and anyone who wants an expose of the speaking world.

Great, quick read - 2010-01-28
Reviewer Rating:
This was a great quick read that I enjoyed before a recent speaking engagement. I wish this book had been written a few years ago, as Scott's tales closely match my experiences in giving talks in front of large technical audiences over the last several years.

One downside: the book's pictures aren't in color, and the conversion to black and white made several of them very difficult to see.

Adding on - 2010-01-25
Reviewer Rating:
I won't repeat what the previous reviewers have provided. I just wanted to add to the review list and identify this book as a must read. I do a lot of public speaking, yet still found this book helpful and incredibly easy and fun to read.

"Confessions of a Public Speaker" from a speaker - 2010-01-23
Reviewer Rating:
Confessions of a Public Speaker
Scott Berkun
O'Reilly Media Inc, Publisher, 2010
$24.99

Most of us are asked at some point to be a public speaker. Maybe it is a formal lecture. Maybe a toast. Maybe a business presentation. Maybe we just need to make a point and win an argument. We cringe. Our stomach turns. "Confessions of a Public Speaker" is non fiction.... no, I mean really a true compilation of the missteps, embarrassments and dilemmas encountered by noted and successful public speaker author, Scott Berkun. As Mr. Berkun says in his initial disclaimer "if you don't want to hear the truth (about how you speak), this book is not for you."
This entertaining, practical book reads easily. Each chapter is short and filled with useful information to make the preparation, presentation, and assessment of any speech better ("I Can See You Naked." "The Attack of the Butterflies." "Don't Eat the Microphone."). "Confessions" is a book that can be read a part at a time or start to finish.
"Confessions" uses the author's successes and miseries from his lifetime behind the lectern and on the podium (we are told the difference) to illustrate how to be a successful presenter.
There is a section of photos taken from actual speaking events but not of the actual speaker, but rather the scene around the venue that contributes to success or failure.
A portion of "Confessions" includes "Backstage Notes" like "Little things pros do," "How to make a point," "What to do if your talk sucks," and "What to do when things go wrong". Each of these is filled with countless examples and suggestions.
A "Research and Recommendations" section includes not only a list of sources, but also commentary on the reasons to consider going to these sources.
The reader will want to read the usually skipped (except family and friends looking for their name) boring "Acknowledgement" part of "Confessions". Mr. Berkun continues his humorous, engaging writing even to the final page and takes this section and writes it in a humorous and entraining manner. He includes among other things amounts and kinds of junk food eaten and music listened to. Just another way Mr. Berkun illustrates that communication needs ways to maintain the interest of the reader (and in the case of the thesis of "Confessions") the listener. And if you are really compulsive and go to the second last page of "Confessions" you can find story about the "colophon."
As a person asked to give many lectures, I will keep this book on my desk, next to my computer and look at it when I get the next speaking invitation and before I write the very first slide.

Reviewed December 2009 by
Howard Levine MD
Director, Cleveland Nasal Sinus & Sleep Center
Cleveland Ohio
International Lecturer
[...]

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