Top Public Speaking books recommended by experts

At MentorCruise, we are all about making the most out of the experience of others. As part of that, we've connected and asked dozens of experts and professionals about their favourite Public Speaking books – and here are the answers.

Table of Contents

Fundamentals of Public Speaking

Understanding the concepts of Public Speaking starts with understanding the fundamentals. On your way to mastery, it's crucial for you to understand how certain concepts were derived, and why things work like they do. Starting with these resources is the best way to do so.

Talk Like TED: The 9 Public Speaking Secrets of the World's Top Minds

Ideas are the currency of the 21st century. In order to succeed, you need to be able to sell your ideas persuasively. This ability is the single greatest skill that will help you accomplish your dreams.
Many people have a fear of public speaking or are insecure about their ability to give a successful presentation. Now public speaking coach and best-selling author Carmine Gallo explores wha…

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How to win friends and influence people. How to stop worrying and start living

Some key points include showing genuine interest in others, remembering people's names, encouraging others to talk about themselves, and making the other person feel important. These principles can be applied when other methods of influence or persuasion seem to fail.

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The Naked Presenter: Delivering Powerful Presentations with Or Without Slides

The Naked Presenter teaches readers how they can reach an audience by stripping away all that is unnecessary to get at the essence of the message. The naked presenter approaches the presentation task embracing the ideas of simplicity, clarity, honesty, integrity, and passion.

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The Art of Public Speaking

Public speaking is the act of presenting an idea to the public, using your voice. The 'public' can range from a very small group of people to a huge audience. For most people, a bigger audience equates to more fear, but some people are just as terrified as presenting to a small group.

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Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln: 21 Powerful Secrets of History's Greatest Speakers

Author, historian, and world-renowned speaker James C. Humes—who wrote speeches for five American presidents—shows you how great leaders through the ages used simple yet incredibly effective tricks to speak, persuade, and win throngs of fans and followers.

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How to Deliver a TED Talk: Secrets of the World's Most Inspiring Presentations

"How To Deliver A TED Talk" is a complete guide for creating presentations that inspire others through your story. Based on intensive study of the most popular TEDTalks, this step-by-step playbook shows you how to select your topic, craft your narrative, master your delivery, and refine your design.

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Additional Public Speaking Reading

These books are not required for you to learn Public Speaking, but they are highly recommended for you to deepen your knowledge.

TED Talks Storytelling: 23 Storytelling Techniques from the Best TED Talks

In this short but powerful guide, you’re going to learn how to use stories to make your presentations engaging and entertaining. Using case studies drawn from TED talks by Sir Ken Robinson, Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, Susan Cain, Leslie Morgan Steiner, Mike Rowe and Malcom Gladwell, you’ll learn how to craft stories that keep your audience mesmerized. By the time you’ve finished reading this storyt…

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World's Greatest Speeches (Deluxe Hardbound Edition)

Step into the world of history-makers with this edition, enriched with the eloquence of individuals who shaped and reshaped their destinies. Experience the artistry of master orators as their meticulously crafted speeches transcend the boundaries of time and space, captivating the minds and hearts of their audiences. A literary gem for all, this exquisite hardbound edition features a ribbon bo…

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The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking

In The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking, you can acquire and perfect your public speaking skills. Featuring accessible step-by-step instructions, you will learn how to build confidence, courage, and enthusiasm in every situation, including the boardroom and beyond.

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What's Your Message? Public Speaking with Twice the Impact, Using Half the Effort

Practical SQL is an approachable and fast-paced guide to SQL (Structured Query Language), the standard programming language for defining, organizing, and exploring data in relational databases.

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Presentation Zen

Presentation Zen challenges the conventional wisdom of making "slide presentations" in today's world and encourages you to think differently and more creatively about the preparation, design, and delivery of your presentations.

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Eloquence: The Hidden Secret of Words that Change the World

Eloquence doesn't have to be a mystery. You don't have to face uncertainty or anxiety when you present your ideas. You don’t have to constantly question if you’re “saying it right.” Millennia ago, Ancient Greeks found hidden patterns in powerful language. Recent scientific studies prove these patterns impact and influence people. History’s great speeches rely on them.

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Specializations and Deeper Public Speaking Knowledge

You've got your basics in order – time to move on to some advanced and specialized concepts. Public Speaking is evolving every day, these books can help you master it.

You Got This: Everything You Need to Master Authentic Public Speaking

Which of these phrases best describe your speech presentations? Lisa Kleiman is a speaking consultant with a passion for communication. She has coached hundreds of individuals and facilitated classes, workshops, and seminars across the globe. In You Got This , she shares her secrets about stepping out in front of any group and successfully delivering your message with clarity, confidence, and …

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

This list is curated by MentorCruise and can include Amazon affiliate links. Have any other suggestions? Add here.

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