Speak For Yourself: The complete guide to effective communication and powerful presentations
Author: Cristina Stuart
Publisher: Piatkus
Date: 2000
ISBN: 0 7489 2123 4
Price: £16.99
Format: Hardback, 294 pages
This is a well-written book that follows in the main, the traditional format of other titles on presentation skills – preparation, presentation, audience contact, and so on – and contains little that is new or novel. However, it is written in a very readable, logical and comprehensive manner that even if you have other titles on this subject, it is well worth adding to your library.
The content is up to date with discussion on interacting with the media – press, radio and TV: virtual and cross-cultural meetings; and speaking at events when you have to rely on either a simultaneous or consecutive interpreter. The traditional uses of training aids are well-described and include the use of the laptop with a data projector and even the use of a teleprompter. The use of PowerPoint presentations was mentioned several times, but the reader will have to be au fait with PowerPoint before the comments are found to be very helpful – as suggested on the flyleaf of the dustcover.
The author is an experienced speaker, communicator and trainer in communication skills, and the depth of understanding and information in the book in most cases reflects this experience. If you want one title on this subject in your library, this is a must for your short-list.
Leslie Rae
September 2000
