This book emphasises the how and why of public speaking. Instructors who prefer a practical approach appreciate the Osborns' early focus on delivering the first speech, as well as numerous practical tips throughout the text in the form of Speaker's Notes. The Osborns use the best of classical and contemporary rhetorical theory in addressing the problems of the public speaker. Ancillary package available upon adoption.
My copy is rather outdated. It lauds historical figures that have since been revealed to be anywhere from flawed to profoundly corrupt, although their status as heroes grants them some immunity from exposure depending on the nature of their sins. That aside, it's really just a big book of tips. They're useful tips but you've probably heard them all before. You could probably get through a public speaking course without this book, honestly, because it's practicing that's the hard part.
I have this book because the university bookstore would only give me 75 cents for it, so there it sits, a good reference book for the distant future when I teach my children about public speaking.