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Public Speaking for Success: The Complete Program, Revised and Updated

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Dale Carnegie, author of the legendary How to Win Friends and Influence People , began his career as the premier "life coach" of the twentieth century by teaching the art of public speaking. Public speaking, as Carnegie saw it, is a vital skill that can be attained through basic and repeated steps. His classic volume on the subject appeared in 1926 and was revised twice-in shortened versions-in 1956 and 1962. This 2006 revision-edited by a longtime consultant to Dale Carnegie & Associates, Inc., and the editor in charge of updating How to Win Friends and Influence People -is the definitive one for our era.

While up-to-date in its language and points of reference, Public Speaking for Success preserves the full range of ideas and methods that appeared in the including Carnegie's complete speech and diction exercises, which follow each chapter, as the author originally designated them. This edition restores Carnegie's original appendix of the three complete self-help Acres of Diamonds by Russell H. Conwell, As a Man Thinketh by James Allen, and A Message to Garcia by Elbert Hubbard. Carnegie included these essays in his original edition because, although they do not directly relate to public speaking, he felt they would be of great value to the readers. Here is the definitive update of the best-loved public-speaking book of all time.

464 pages, Paperback

Published May 4, 2006

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3603 people want to read

About the author

Dale Carnegie

1,479 books8,991 followers
Dale Carnegie was an American writer and teacher of courses in self-improvement, salesmanship, corporate training, public speaking, and interpersonal skills. Born into poverty on a farm in Missouri, he was the author of How to Win Friends and Influence People (1936), a bestseller that remains popular today. He also wrote How to Stop Worrying and Start Living (1948), Lincoln the Unknown (1932), and several other books.
One of the core ideas in his books is that it is possible to change other people's behavior by changing one's behavior towards them.

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5 stars
212 (33%)
4 stars
242 (38%)
3 stars
125 (20%)
2 stars
36 (5%)
1 star
9 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Profile Image for Franky Val.
14 reviews
April 29, 2021
Made it 1/3 of the way. Stopped reading because I presented my speech so I wasn’t applying the information anymore.
Profile Image for Kunal.
117 reviews86 followers
March 26, 2018
This book was absolutely incredible as I learned so much about how to give an effective speech from beginning to end. While I learned so much about these concepts from my time at Toastmasters, the book goes incredibly in depth discussing things from speech format to things you should be conscious of from a personal level as well.

Couple of key points are that for the introduction, you want to start out with some type of question, fact, story, or anything else that will really appeal directly to the audience and for the conclusion you want to end it in a way that will really make an impact on people.

The book also discusses how important it is to realize that the audience really wants to hear the message you have to tell them and that you should be appealing to their selfish reasons of trying to educate them on something that they can change or benefit for their own lives. Overall, just an absolutely incredible book that would highly recommend to anyone who wants to improve their public speaking skills
Profile Image for Lefford Fate.
17 reviews2 followers
December 22, 2020
This is a great read. I remember reading the earlier addition during a communications course a few years ago. I was familiar with the content but this time I feel I had a better grasp on the content. This is a book that deserves to be studied. Keep this book and go through it several times. It is just that powerful.
198 reviews3 followers
Want to read
July 6, 2023
According to author and lecturer Dale Carnegie, public speaking is the one skill that can bring you more success, opportunity, and fulfillment than any other. In Public Speaking for Success, Carnegie argues that as a skilled speaker, you'll be able to change people's hearts and minds, inspire action, improve your relationships, and advance your career. Most people fear speaking in public, but that’s only natural—and with Carnegie’s time-tested lessons, you can learn to overcome that fear, take the stage, and speak with confidence and poise.

Our guide is based on the updated 2006 edition of Public Speaking for Success (originally published in 1926). We share Carnegie’s essential teachings about why public speaking matters, how to overcome the fear of getting on stage, and how to craft and deliver a memorable speech. In commentary, we’ll explore how speech-giving has changed since Carnegie’s time and compare his ideas to those in two popular books on TED talks.
Profile Image for Leslie Yong.
359 reviews40 followers
January 1, 2024
Wow praise for the book “Public Speaking for Success” by Dale Carnegie
Truly this is an amazing and fascinating book of instruction. With very detailed teaching guides on teaching the art of public speaking, the author knows that it is indeed a vital skill that any ambitious student who wants to acquire and master this skill can work it it and improve over time.
A few chapters are devoted to how to speak and pronounce words/ sentences in or during presentation.
And some on correcting common grammar mistakes.
This book is certainly an asset for those who aspire to become a public speaker
Profile Image for Aidan 18.
49 reviews1 follower
August 15, 2024
wasn’t the most interesting read but honestly teaches what it sets out to teach. bought it on a whim just to have the knowledge just in case. anyways, slightly outdated principles admittedly but quite a timeless guide to knowing the mechanisms behind a good public speech. would recommend to anyone who’s doing a speech for their company or wtv.
2 reviews
May 5, 2023
great book

Very inspiring and knowledgeable book. One of the best book I have ever read. The contents is highly important. So I recommend
220 reviews5 followers
October 30, 2023
It was quite long and repetitive, and the grammar part was hard to get via audiobook. However, it was really useful and informative.
48 reviews
March 19, 2024
It has good pointers and fundamentals, but drags on a little long and the grammar lessons at the end of each chapter aren’t necessary.
Profile Image for Jeremy.
53 reviews1 follower
June 22, 2024
An exhaustive treatise on the art of public speaking that draws wisdom from many of the greatest figures to ever live.
Profile Image for Trisha Taggart.
107 reviews
Read
September 27, 2024
I could have passed on a lot of this book. There is a shorter version. Try that one. I was happy to finally be fine with this one. There are good pointers.
347 reviews
November 5, 2024
Avbröts igenom hälften men ändå bra saker där. Mycket konstigt dock som behövdes skippa
Author 6 books
November 18, 2025
Another excellent work by Dale Carnegie, this book provides a clear blueprint for becoming a successful and confident speaker.
Profile Image for Brian Cluster.
137 reviews1 follower
February 28, 2021
Excellent read especially for those wanting to elevate their public speaking skills!

With over 400 pages of in-depth instruction for public speaking as well as exercises at the end of each chapter, this may be the most complete book on public speaking in the world. I would rate the book a 4 stars due to the length but with the exceptional stories in the appendix, I must raise this to 5 stars.

Dale Carnegie's words were updated by Arthur Pell to make the examples more contemporary. However, I think that any passionate student should consider the classics of a topic as well as the recently published points of view. With this approach, the learner understands the current thinking but is grounded in many of the lessons that have stood the test of time.

Dedicate at least two weeks to deeply review this book. If you don't have that time available, put it on your list for a later time. There are some gems and uncommon quotes and lessons that should not be skimmed over.

One example of some of the wonderful quotse: " The ability to express an idea is as important as the idea itself"- Bernard Baruch

Recommend for the dedicated learner!

41 reviews2 followers
December 9, 2021
To an unexperienced speaker could content of this book come as a surprise. One would expect long monologues on how to create ones speech and what to say. But this book does much more. It is a definite tutorial covering each aspect of giving speeches from said creating the raw text of the speech through physical training of your voice, training your habits and developing thinking pattern and atitude that will make your audience love you and understand your message.
This book has revealed to me that giving a speech is not simply standing up in front of the audience and speaking, but it is understanding the audience and adjusting your words and enunciation accordingly. Carnegie also lightly touches phylosophy and virtues which will bring you succes in your life.
As I've read the version updated for 21st century, I can say there were also useful insights sorely needed these days so I can recommend this book not only to those who wish giving speeches daily.
Profile Image for Jesse Langel.
60 reviews8 followers
April 8, 2022
I'm not sure this Goodreads book review is legitimate due to the author having been misspelled the author ("Gale" Carnegie).

This book is meaty. It's 400 pages of rich content conceived by a man who is considered the pioneer of public speaking. This work contains timeless speaking principles illustrated by stories that involve the greats, including Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, Billy Graham, Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King and others. Quotes are interspersed through out the book.

It contains points how to improve memory and increase confidence.

Although some of the stuff is out dated (i.e. word-usage exercises in the back of each chapter), this is still a hugely valuable piece of work for anybody serious about public speaking.
4 reviews
December 5, 2019
An excellent read for those who desire to have practical tools and methods (and a changed mindset) for public speaking. This book is not strictly for public speaking. During my read, I felt as though this book was an encouragement on pursuing fullness of life and relationships. The words therein, are timeless and relevant. Do not let the age of the text or the eloquent way of writing cause hesitation. This book has depth and a serenity.
Profile Image for Jack.
330 reviews7 followers
July 27, 2021
There were some good things but overall I feel like other courses (e.g. Brian Tracy's Speak to Win) gives far more effective SPECIFIC feedback that you can action and implement. A lot of the language in this book is too high level. But I did get *some* good tips and I appreciated the lesson on consonant enunciation at the end of the course -- I recognized that as an area for improvement/attention.
Profile Image for Russell Dellinger.
8 reviews2 followers
November 10, 2021
The least great out his literary works. The beginning of it was alright but then seemed to lose steam. The audiobook is surprisingly narrated poorly for a SPEAKING book. I couldnt speed the book up without losing track of the words due to the sporadic intonation frequency. My book listening friend also shared this experience. Only worth if you consider yourself a completionist for legendary authors.
Profile Image for Jaime.
1,547 reviews2 followers
October 19, 2016
I read this decades ago and often refer to it. This is an essential book for the professional who makes his/her living by speaking to the public. In addition, there are motivational sections and an analysis of the audience. This has been a huge blessing to me throughout my various careers. Remember, be heard, be clear and be focused.
Profile Image for Yana Goldman.
67 reviews
June 16, 2019
The ideas described in this book are extremely useful, but some of them would gain even more if they were edited again in the recent years.

This book doesn't only teach one to hold him or herself correctly when speaking in front of a group, but also teaches many things like self-assurance, voice techniques, body movements, motivation for success.
3 reviews
February 9, 2021
Amazing Book For Who Want To Be A Public Speaker

I Buy This Book Coz Of I Want Make Some Video On Social Media So I Was Not Understand To How To Speak On Camera Coz On The Internet Many People See My Video & If My Speaking Language Is Not Good Then I Can't Get More Engagement So I Was Read That Book But I Get More Than That What I Want So It's 200% Worthy Book
23 reviews
April 25, 2016
It's a very classic book, with a central idea "The never failing-way of to develop self-confidence in speaking is to speak."

"The entire question of your success as a speaker hinges upon only two things: your native ability, and the depth and strength of your desires"
45 reviews1 follower
November 17, 2018
I really enjoyed while reading this book.This is something you can't read just to read.While reading this book I really wished if I could learn some of the points given in this. I will give a re-read to this book for sure.
Profile Image for Will West.
87 reviews
February 10, 2020
Has some good stories, techniques, and exercises. You would need to read other books on grammar, structure, etc. This is more of an inspire type book not a how to book. I good starting point to get some confidence. Can't decide to give a 3 or 4 star. So I will go with the higher.
Profile Image for Yiyang.
126 reviews6 followers
June 23, 2020
I listened to the audiobook. It's a bit longer and more of a tool book with examples (especially grammar correction). Still a great book despite I lost part of my attention towards 2nd half of the book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews

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