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Lend me your ears4/9/2023 ![]() Please share this.From a Pulitzer Prize–winning author, this collection of speeches is “the most valuable kind of book, the kind that benefits mind and heart” (Peggy Noonan). I strongly recommend that you get a copy of Lend Me Your Earsand keep it within arm’s reach whenever you seek speechwriting inspiration. What Safire does is to give the reader a sort of ten commandents that the great speakers of the past must have followed. Safire’s ability not only to recognize a great speech, but also to define for the reader the qualities that made the speech great and to place it within a historical perspective. The anthology travels in time from the condemned Socrates … to the born-again Billy Graham … The contents page is a roll-call of the great, the good, the bad, and the extra bad. This is an invaluable reference for writers and speakers, students of history and those who simply appreciate great oratory. ![]() ![]() ![]() If there is a better anthology of great speeches, I am not aware of it. Ratings on are solid: 71% of reviewers give it 5 out of 5 stars. Other speech anthologies pick up where Safire left off. Rather, Safire only claims that the selected speeches are great.Įveryone will find one of their favorite speeches missing, but the book is already 1145 pages long. It isn’t attempting to capture every great speech. I won’t dispute the numbers, but that doesn’t make me appreciate this anthology any less. Of the 200 speeches in question, only 44 are by people who lived outside the United States, and only 13 are by women. How could it be better?Ĭriticism around this book seems to be centered on the omissions, and this is summed up well by Robert Winder (referring to a previous, shorter edition): So, I really appreciate the extra time devoted to this index. This doesn’t help me if I can recall a famous line or a topic, but forget the speaker. Many speech books only index speeches by the speaker. “government of the people, by the people, and for the people” I love a great index, and this is one of the best. Deliverable (“steer clear of forty-dollar words”).Purpose (“to inspire, to ennoble, to instruct, to rally, to lead”).Pulse (“A good speech has a beat, a changing rhythm, a sense of movement…”).Welcome (“Shake hands with the audience.”).I’ve listed them here, but you’ll need to read his address to gain the full benefit. In the book introduction, Safire includes an “introductory address” where he reveals “the ten steps to a great speech“. 3. Introduction identifies speechwriting secrets It is this feature which sets this speech anthology apart from all others. They offer deep insights into what makes each speech great. These speech introductions are not merely bibliographical. If the “star” of the book are the speeches themselves, then the “co-star” is certainly Safire’s speech commentaries - often a couple of pages in length. Here is how to acquire eloquence by osmosis: close the door, or go out in the woods with only a dog as an audience, and read these speeches aloud. Dip into this book often enough, and you will get the hang of them. There are secrets to speechwriting and speechmaking that you can learn and use. While it isn’t a book that you are likely to read sequentially from cover to cover, it will boost your skills each time you immerse yourself in its pages. (I own five.) I reach for it regularly when writing and editing Six Minutes articles, and when I’m seeking speechwriting inspiration. Lend Me Your Ears is among the most comprehensive speech anthologies I’ve ever seen. A steal! (Sadly, I paid full price years ago.) What I Loved about Lend Me Your Ears 1. The comprehensive selection of speeches ” The PriceĪt the time of writing this review, you can get this book for only $29.55 from. “Every serious speaker should own a speech anthology, and Lend Me Your Ears is arguably the best. His speechwriting credibility is unparalleled, and it shows in the depth of analysis he provides. The editor - William Safire - was a presidential speechwriter, a Pulitzer Prize winner, and a writer for the New York Times, New York Times Magazine (“On Language”), and many works of fiction and nonfiction. Each one is preceded by a detailed introduction which helps the reader appreciate the themes, occasion, and figures of speech. Lend Me Your Ears is an impressive compendium of 233 great speeches throughout history, from ancient Rome to modern times. There is an emphasis on political speeches, but you will also find commencement speeches, lectures, media speeches, eulogies, farewells, trials, and debates. This article is one of a series of public speaking book reviews from Six Minutes. Lend Me Your Ears: Great Speeches in History (edited by William Safire) will provide you with hours of speechwriting inspiration.Įvery serious speaker should own a speech anthology, and Lend Me Your Ears is arguably the best.
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