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The toastmaster's and speaker's handbook
If you are ever at a loss for words...then this is a book for you. It tells you what to say...and how to say it. This practical book gives step-by-step information on every phrase of speaking in conferences, committee meetings, Women's Clubs, Fund-raising drives, PTA's, rallies, etc. It gives you also hundreds of anecdotes, witticism, speeches, introductions and stories for all occasions.
343 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1973
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About the author
Herbert V. Prochnow
84 books4 followersHerbert Victor Prochnow
Herbert V. Prochnow (May 19, 1897 – September 29, 1998) was a U.S. banking executive, noted toastmaster, and author during the middle 20th Century. As Vice President of the First National Bank of Chicago, Prochnow wrote several popular books on public speaking. He also wrote epigrams and anecdotes that appeared in The Saturday Evening Post and Reader's Digest.
Quotes:
"A visitor from Mars could easily pick out the civilized nations. They have the best implements of war."
"The trouble with opportunity is that it always comes disguised as hard work."
"'Company policy' means there's no understandable reason for this action."
"A great many people mistake opinions for thoughts."
Bibliography:
The Toastmaster's Handbook (Prentice Hall, May 1949)
The Successful Speaker's Handbook (Prentice Hall, May 1951)
The Speaker's Treasury of Stories for all Occasions (Prentice Hall, June 1953)
The Toastmaster's and Speaker's Handbook (October 1955)
Meditations on the Beatitudes (1952)
Herbert V. Prochnow (May 19, 1897 – September 29, 1998) was a U.S. banking executive, noted toastmaster, and author during the middle 20th Century. As Vice President of the First National Bank of Chicago, Prochnow wrote several popular books on public speaking. He also wrote epigrams and anecdotes that appeared in The Saturday Evening Post and Reader's Digest.
Quotes:
"A visitor from Mars could easily pick out the civilized nations. They have the best implements of war."
"The trouble with opportunity is that it always comes disguised as hard work."
"'Company policy' means there's no understandable reason for this action."
"A great many people mistake opinions for thoughts."
Bibliography:
The Toastmaster's Handbook (Prentice Hall, May 1949)
The Successful Speaker's Handbook (Prentice Hall, May 1951)
The Speaker's Treasury of Stories for all Occasions (Prentice Hall, June 1953)
The Toastmaster's and Speaker's Handbook (October 1955)
Meditations on the Beatitudes (1952)
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
May 4, 2023
This is yet another dismal collection of "humour", "wit", and "wisdom". Unlike others I have reviewed, this one dates from the 1990's ... but the contents are firmly rooted in conservative Christian American sensibilities of the 1950's. It's a treasury of eulogies to the virtues of capitalism and profit, devotion to the Bible, obedience to the man of the house, and America's rightful place as the leader of the world. The vast majority of the quotes and humourous stories are achingly dull.
Herbert Prochnow was a banking executive and I am sad to say that this book only cements the general preconception of the personality of those in that profession. It is not really surprising that Mr. Prochnow includes a good number of quotes from himself, and that they are among the most pedestrian and awkwardly worded of them all.
I can imagine using this book as a resource if I were compelled to attempt to gain applause from an audience of evangelical oil magnates, but for any other situation it would be of little use.
The book's only saving grace is that it ends with a somewhat interesting collection of proverbs and a similar collection of bon mots from a variety of authors.
Herbert Prochnow was a banking executive and I am sad to say that this book only cements the general preconception of the personality of those in that profession. It is not really surprising that Mr. Prochnow includes a good number of quotes from himself, and that they are among the most pedestrian and awkwardly worded of them all.
I can imagine using this book as a resource if I were compelled to attempt to gain applause from an audience of evangelical oil magnates, but for any other situation it would be of little use.
The book's only saving grace is that it ends with a somewhat interesting collection of proverbs and a similar collection of bon mots from a variety of authors.
Displaying 1 of 1 review