Demonstrating the kind of confident organizational clarity he urges readers to master, Read arranges the material into three sections— how to persuade, how to deliver your presentation, and how the masters persuade. He packs each with encouraging advice covering a host of topics (how to present without notes; what persuasive speakers need to understand about the brain; visual guides related to PowerPoint best practices) plus abundant sources, quotations, links to talks to study, and fresh, fascinating case studies from attorneys in the courtroom that illustrate the implementation of his methodology.

As the subtitle suggests, Read blends his own hard-won, up-to-date insights with tried-and-true techniques, from the Rule of Three to the “memory palace,” and he explores tools used by great orators throughout. His clear, engaging prose style and emphasis on the pragmatic makes this guide accessible to readers new to the art but also a resource for seasoned speakers, who will likely find illumination in advice on video meetings or his reconsideration of the importance of listening. Chapter-summarizing road maps and checklists and a thorough index and table of contents increase the book’s utility.

Takeaway: A courtroom persuasion expert’s illuminating guide to persuasive public speaking.

Great for fans of: Carmine Gallo’s Talk Like TED: The 9 Public Speaking Secrets of the World’s Top Minds, Mike Acker’s Speak With No Fear.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A