Talk is Not Cheap
Title: “The Art of Public Speaking”
Author: Stephen Lucas
Rank: 60
Price: $128.86
No, that’s not a typo: $128.86. For a paperback.
Blurb: “Utilizing the full suite of resources, students learn to internalize the principles of public speaking, build confidence through speech practice, and prepare for success in the classroom and beyond.”
About the Author: “Over the years he has been responsible for numerous teaching innovations and has supervised the training of hundreds of graduate assistants.”
Review: “This book is just awful. Be prepared to be told basic human decency standards over and over; every chapter. Every single chapter talks about not being racist when speaking to people. Here is the thing, folks, if you are college age and you have to have a book teach you this; then there is probably some real big issues in your life. I would start looking at your family, and weeding out the bad ones.”
Customers Also Bought: “Connect Plus Access Card for The Art of Public Speaking” ($68.99)
Footnote: Always open with a joke about how much your Speech course cost.
The Art of Public Speaking [Amazon]
Buy or Die [Stinque@Amazon Kickback Link]
I knew the price of speech went up. I just didn’t realize how much!
” … success in the classroom and beyond.”
I’d say if you can get a lot of people to spend $128.86 for a book full of platitudes and easily-available public speaking tips, you’ve succeeded admirably.
Oh dear God Almighty. I can show you how to do this in ten minutes. You’ll practice for a half hour and everyone will think you’re a genius. It’s all about getting your eyes off the page. And don’t refer to your uncle Norman as a fag. Unless you’re in Mississippi.
I could do it in 30. Stand up straight, pitch your voice from your belly button, look the audience in the eyeballs, tell a joke, then just talk to them. No reading. If you read, I will come and take your paper away.
BURR DEMING • Tom Lehrer, 1928-2025 Thank you for this, nojo. He was a wonderful talent and, by all accounts, a wonderful human…
NOJO • Tom Lehrer, 1928-2025 Oh, and there’s a Catholic church across the street. Maybe I can do a little dance for them!
NOJO • Tom Lehrer, 1928-2025 Now that I’m in NYC, plenty of pigeons to poison in his honor.
NOJO • All the Vice President's Men 2025 update: Nothing happened. And here we are!
MANCHUCANDIDATE • Weeping Angel Imagine going from hope to Fascism in less than two decades enabled by greedy ass (millionaire)…
NOJO • Nightmare at the Museum From the last time he threatened to bomb Iran, 2020. Remember that one? All a misty blur now.
NOJO • TRUMP TARIFFS UNLEASHING FURY OF CANADIANS - AND THEIR LEGENDARY SNIPERS! @ManchuCandidate: I have birthright citizenship in Cascadia, so I think I’m good.
MANCHUCANDIDATE • TRUMP TARIFFS UNLEASHING FURY OF CANADIANS - AND THEIR LEGENDARY SNIPERS! @nojo: Only the sane parts... like the West coast, New England (minus the Bruins and…
NOJO • TRUMP TARIFFS UNLEASHING FURY OF CANADIANS - AND THEIR LEGENDARY SNIPERS! @ManchuCandidate: So, can you guys annex us now?
MANCHUCANDIDATE • TRUMP TARIFFS UNLEASHING FURY OF CANADIANS - AND THEIR LEGENDARY SNIPERS! PP is done. 51st state, my ass.