MAX ATKINSON'S
LEND ME YOUR EARS: All You Need to Know about
making Speeches and Presentations
was first published
in 2004 by Vermilion (Random
House) and you can read some of it by
clicking HERE.
The UK edition of the book was reprinted within six months of publication. A second reprint became necessary when stocks ran out after a surge in sales during the first week of October 2006, when it reached its highest ever position (2nd) in the Amazon UK bestsellers list.
An American edition was published in the USA by Oxford University Press, New York in 2005 and can be ordered from amazon.com via the box above left.
A Spanish
language edition is available under the
title
Claves para hablar en público: Todo lo que
necesita saber sobre cómo pronunciar discursos y
hacer presentaciones, further details of which are
available by clicking on the book (right) or
Gestion
2000. The book is also being
translated into Estonian.
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE AMAZON CUSTOMER REVIEWS OF LEND ME YOUR EARS.
MAX ATKINSON'S SPEECH-MAKING AND PRESENTATION MADE EASY was published by Vermilion in September, 2008, and can be ordered from Amazon by clicking the box on the left.
OUR MASTERS' VOICES: The Language and Body Language of Politics (1984), which reports on Max Atkinson's original study of the rhetorical techniques that trigger applause in political speeches, is still in print and can be ordered from Amazon by clicking the box on the left.
AMAZON CUSTOMER REVIEWS OF LEND ME YOUR EARS
Avg. Customer Review:
This
book got me a job, 7 Jun 2007
Reviewer: Ruth,
London
I could never figure why speeches and presentations frightened me. A confident personality, I would nevertheless only address an event under duress. Then one morning I heard Prof Atkinson on Radio 4. Here, it seemed, was a fellow who made sense. By marvellous happenchance that was two days before the final interview round - which included a 10 minute presentation - for a job I wanted dearly. I bought his book and spent the weekend working through the chapters, assembling my arguments and speech. It was the best £9.99 I've ever spent. It explained to me why I could confidently chair a meeting, or do a TV interview but hated speeches. And more importantly it showed me what to do about it. There was no waffle, no nonsense and no management gobbledegook. I got the job. I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending this book to anyone. In fact I do - every time somebody praises a speech I've given with the words 'I wish I could give speeches like that'. Because you can - and even come to love giving them.
Best Ever
How To Speak in Public, March 14, 2006
Reviewer: Peter M
Semper from Lyndhurst, Hampshire
UK
"Without doubt this is the best ever "how to" book on speeches and presentations, no matter what the topic - business, social, political, or technical.
As a CEO I have sat through so many turn-off presentations by people I know to be literate and interesting. This book demonstrates how unnecessary this is, and that one does not have to be a "born speaker" to make lively, interesting, really effective presentations.
It is completely practical in identifying the tried and tested techniques which have served the great communicators down the ages, all of which are easily learned and applied. It is also first class on how to use (but not overuse) modern computer aids to great effect.
No wonder speechwriters to Presidents Reagan and Clinton say the author Professor Max Atkinson is the speechwriters Guru."
Lend Me
Your Ears, March 10, 2006
Reviewer: George
from Dinas
Powis, Vale of Glamorgan United
Kingdom
Like a number of other people I came upon this book by accident, whilst researching the subject, as part of my preparation for delivering a talk on presentation skills to a meeting of a professional body in Cardiff.
I am a mainly self taught trainer and speaker who, at the age of 66, gained a PGCE in the Post Compulsory Education and Training Sector as part of a retirement plan to set up as training consultant. Reading this book was an absolute breath of fresh air to me as I mentally ticked off all the things I've got wrong over the years and which are so eloquently dealt with in the book. If only I'd had a copy of it all those years ago!!!
With the tag of "Professor" Max could be forgiven for taking an academic stance in his writing and it came as a pleasant suprise to discover how clearly he explains himself in such a down to earth manner.
I shall be happy to recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in making presentations and congratulate Max on a super piece of work.
A Guide
for the Perplexed, November 15, 2005
Reviewer: Robert
Shakspeare from
Finland
Having taught presentation skills for many years I had often wondered why the resulting presentations were often so dull and forgettable. Now I know. Throughout the book I found myself saying "Yes, that's exactly the problem I've been having!". I am now convinced that any presentation or speech can be made memorable and interesting with a little effort.
In the book common myths about what is necessary to a good presentation are convincingly exposed and all that is truly necessary is clearly explained. The section on rhetoric, which seems to be either a forgotten or maligned art these days, was exceptionally interesting and useful. Examples to back up the points are used throughout.
If you have to make a presentation or speech and you don't know where to start then this is the book you need.
Getting
the 'inside track' about
presentations, April 15, 2005
Reviewer: Dil
Sidhu from London,
UK
I do a lot of public speaking and thought I knew about the tips, techniques and strategies that can make for a successful event. This book is the one-stop shop in terms of covering all the important elements of giving a presentation along with some of the things we all think about but nobody has ever written about, i.e. the annoying way that some presenters pull the paper backing off of acetates!!
If you are a seasoned presenter or tasked with doing your first stand up presentation, you will not be disappointed in this publication. It is one of the few books I have purchased which fits into the category of an 'investment' in improving my performance versus something that was nice to have read and then goes onto the shelf never to be referred to again. Great stuff.
Quite
simply, it is a Masterclass!, January 14, 2005
Reviewer: londonsoulpatrol
from London
I
have recently had the great privilege to
attend a lecture from the author whilst I have
been attending Henley Management College on an
Executive MBA course. Although I have given
numerous presentations in business situations
previously, I have never approached the
subject with more than a fraction of the
irrefutable clarity and wisdom espoused by Mr
Atkinson.
I was inspired to
rush and buy the book immediately, and quite
simply, it is a Masterclass in presentational
skills and speech-making, written in an
easy-to-read commonsensical style which is
impossible to ignore and will never be
forgotten.
If you
want to communicate better and achieve higher
impact to your chosen audience, then this
outstanding book is worth its weight in
gold.
Read this - and you
will never make another bad presentation!Buy
it, and tell your friends and colleagues about
it. It is outstanding.
An amazing
discovery, November 27, 2004
Reviewer: Trainer
& Consultant from Oxford, England
I had
never heard of Max Atkinson until I discovered
his book accidentally. And I'm so glad I
did.
I am an independent
trainer & consultant based in Oxford. I
help European and Asian business people to be
better communicators. This book has been
extremely helpful already. I have been able to
improve a number of points in my own training
courses including the roots of (classical)
rhetoric, using lists of three and asking
rhetorical questions to link sections. In
addition, the book has helped me to confirm a
lot of my own beliefs as a trainer such as
pausing with purpose, stress & intonation
and not doing 'death by powerpoint' -
something which is still popular in Europe and
Asia.
My clients will be
even better communicators because of Max
Atkinson.
Excellent,
October 30, 2004 Reviewer: A reader
from Kent, United
Kingdom
This book is brilliant (and a
great source of comfort when planning your first
presentation!). I found the analysis of different
methods of presenting your material i.e.
PowerPoint, flipcharts etc. and their relative
merits in different situations particularly
helpful. I couldn't help but trust every single
word this author says - not only because of his
calm authoritative style, but also because his
ideas correspond so well to my own experiences of
being part of an audience.
Simply the
best,
September 22, 2004 Reviewer:
A
reader from Kent, United
Kingdom
Reviewer:
Peter Hancock from Dublin Ireland
Over the
last 30 years I have spoken in 28 countries,
launching cars, opening buildings and guest
speaking at
conferences.
Throughout I
have read any book on oratory that I can lay
my hands on and Max Atkinson's
Lend Me Your
Ears is by far the
best.
All the others I
have read whilst helpful, are spoilt by
containing some advice that is
conterproductive and conflicts with my own
experience on how audiences behave. I have not
been able to recommend
them.
I had planned,
in my retirement to write the perfect book on
public speaking. I will now have to find
something else to do!
It excites
me,
September 10, 2004 Reviewer:
Jeanie
Civil
I
am passionate about management training. It is
so easy to rearrange existing knowledge and
experience to meet the needs of new delegates.
However the difficulty is in remaining
motivated and stimulated. This book has done
just that for me. I have already improved my
presentations and audience involvement by
using Max Atkinson's
tips.
I rate this
book so highly not only because I agree with
so many of his observations, but also because
I disagree with a few comments as I come from
a psychological background rather than a
sociological one. It has made me revisit some
of my assumptions and inspired me to check out
previous and new
research.
It is easy
to read, as it is joyful and jargon free. I
loved 'death by a thousand slides,' and the
anecdotes. Every teacher, trainer and
tomorrow's leaders need to read
this.
This will be a
best seller like 'Men are from Mars.' For me
it is a better book as it does not repeat the
first chapter in various disguises but offered
me new ideas as I read through every word
until the end. This is very rare for a
professional book. As I am an author of seven
management books, I wish I had thought of it!
The UK edition of the book was reprinted within six months of publication. A second reprint became necessary when stocks ran out after a surge in sales during the first week of October 2006, when it reached its highest ever position (2nd) in the Amazon UK bestsellers list.
An American edition was published in the USA by Oxford University Press, New York in 2005 and can be ordered from amazon.com via the box above left.
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE AMAZON CUSTOMER REVIEWS OF LEND ME YOUR EARS.
MAX ATKINSON'S SPEECH-MAKING AND PRESENTATION MADE EASY was published by Vermilion in September, 2008, and can be ordered from Amazon by clicking the box on the left.
OUR MASTERS' VOICES: The Language and Body Language of Politics (1984), which reports on Max Atkinson's original study of the rhetorical techniques that trigger applause in political speeches, is still in print and can be ordered from Amazon by clicking the box on the left.
AMAZON CUSTOMER REVIEWS OF LEND ME YOUR EARS
Avg. Customer Review:
This
book got me a job, 7 Jun 2007
Reviewer: Ruth,
London
I could never figure why speeches and presentations frightened me. A confident personality, I would nevertheless only address an event under duress. Then one morning I heard Prof Atkinson on Radio 4. Here, it seemed, was a fellow who made sense. By marvellous happenchance that was two days before the final interview round - which included a 10 minute presentation - for a job I wanted dearly. I bought his book and spent the weekend working through the chapters, assembling my arguments and speech. It was the best £9.99 I've ever spent. It explained to me why I could confidently chair a meeting, or do a TV interview but hated speeches. And more importantly it showed me what to do about it. There was no waffle, no nonsense and no management gobbledegook. I got the job. I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending this book to anyone. In fact I do - every time somebody praises a speech I've given with the words 'I wish I could give speeches like that'. Because you can - and even come to love giving them.
Best Ever
How To Speak in Public, March 14, 2006
Reviewer: Peter M
Semper from Lyndhurst, Hampshire
UK"Without doubt this is the best ever "how to" book on speeches and presentations, no matter what the topic - business, social, political, or technical.
As a CEO I have sat through so many turn-off presentations by people I know to be literate and interesting. This book demonstrates how unnecessary this is, and that one does not have to be a "born speaker" to make lively, interesting, really effective presentations.
It is completely practical in identifying the tried and tested techniques which have served the great communicators down the ages, all of which are easily learned and applied. It is also first class on how to use (but not overuse) modern computer aids to great effect.
No wonder speechwriters to Presidents Reagan and Clinton say the author Professor Max Atkinson is the speechwriters Guru."
Lend Me
Your Ears, March 10, 2006
Reviewer: George
from Dinas
Powis, Vale of Glamorgan United
KingdomLike a number of other people I came upon this book by accident, whilst researching the subject, as part of my preparation for delivering a talk on presentation skills to a meeting of a professional body in Cardiff.
I am a mainly self taught trainer and speaker who, at the age of 66, gained a PGCE in the Post Compulsory Education and Training Sector as part of a retirement plan to set up as training consultant. Reading this book was an absolute breath of fresh air to me as I mentally ticked off all the things I've got wrong over the years and which are so eloquently dealt with in the book. If only I'd had a copy of it all those years ago!!!
With the tag of "Professor" Max could be forgiven for taking an academic stance in his writing and it came as a pleasant suprise to discover how clearly he explains himself in such a down to earth manner.
I shall be happy to recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in making presentations and congratulate Max on a super piece of work.
A Guide
for the Perplexed, November 15, 2005
Reviewer: Robert
Shakspeare from
FinlandHaving taught presentation skills for many years I had often wondered why the resulting presentations were often so dull and forgettable. Now I know. Throughout the book I found myself saying "Yes, that's exactly the problem I've been having!". I am now convinced that any presentation or speech can be made memorable and interesting with a little effort.
In the book common myths about what is necessary to a good presentation are convincingly exposed and all that is truly necessary is clearly explained. The section on rhetoric, which seems to be either a forgotten or maligned art these days, was exceptionally interesting and useful. Examples to back up the points are used throughout.
If you have to make a presentation or speech and you don't know where to start then this is the book you need.
Getting
the 'inside track' about
presentations, April 15, 2005
Reviewer: Dil
Sidhu from London,
UKI do a lot of public speaking and thought I knew about the tips, techniques and strategies that can make for a successful event. This book is the one-stop shop in terms of covering all the important elements of giving a presentation along with some of the things we all think about but nobody has ever written about, i.e. the annoying way that some presenters pull the paper backing off of acetates!!
If you are a seasoned presenter or tasked with doing your first stand up presentation, you will not be disappointed in this publication. It is one of the few books I have purchased which fits into the category of an 'investment' in improving my performance versus something that was nice to have read and then goes onto the shelf never to be referred to again. Great stuff.
Quite
simply, it is a Masterclass!, January 14, 2005
Reviewer: londonsoulpatrol
from London
I
have recently had the great privilege to
attend a lecture from the author whilst I have
been attending Henley Management College on an
Executive MBA course. Although I have given
numerous presentations in business situations
previously, I have never approached the
subject with more than a fraction of the
irrefutable clarity and wisdom espoused by Mr
Atkinson.
I was inspired to
rush and buy the book immediately, and quite
simply, it is a Masterclass in presentational
skills and speech-making, written in an
easy-to-read commonsensical style which is
impossible to ignore and will never be
forgotten.
If you
want to communicate better and achieve higher
impact to your chosen audience, then this
outstanding book is worth its weight in
gold.
Read this - and you
will never make another bad presentation!Buy
it, and tell your friends and colleagues about
it. It is outstanding. An amazing
discovery, November 27, 2004
Reviewer: Trainer
& Consultant from Oxford, England
I had
never heard of Max Atkinson until I discovered
his book accidentally. And I'm so glad I
did.
I am an independent
trainer & consultant based in Oxford. I
help European and Asian business people to be
better communicators. This book has been
extremely helpful already. I have been able to
improve a number of points in my own training
courses including the roots of (classical)
rhetoric, using lists of three and asking
rhetorical questions to link sections. In
addition, the book has helped me to confirm a
lot of my own beliefs as a trainer such as
pausing with purpose, stress & intonation
and not doing 'death by powerpoint' -
something which is still popular in Europe and
Asia.
My clients will be
even better communicators because of Max
Atkinson. Excellent,
October 30, 2004 Reviewer: A reader
from Kent, United
Kingdom
This book is brilliant (and a
great source of comfort when planning your first
presentation!). I found the analysis of different
methods of presenting your material i.e.
PowerPoint, flipcharts etc. and their relative
merits in different situations particularly
helpful. I couldn't help but trust every single
word this author says - not only because of his
calm authoritative style, but also because his
ideas correspond so well to my own experiences of
being part of an audience.
Simply the
best,
September 22, 2004 Reviewer:
A
reader from Kent, United
Kingdom
Reviewer:
Peter Hancock from Dublin Ireland
Over the
last 30 years I have spoken in 28 countries,
launching cars, opening buildings and guest
speaking at
conferences.
Throughout I
have read any book on oratory that I can lay
my hands on and Max Atkinson's
Lend Me Your
Ears is by far the
best.
All the others I
have read whilst helpful, are spoilt by
containing some advice that is
conterproductive and conflicts with my own
experience on how audiences behave. I have not
been able to recommend
them.
I had planned,
in my retirement to write the perfect book on
public speaking. I will now have to find
something else to do! It excites
me,
September 10, 2004 Reviewer:
Jeanie
Civil
I
am passionate about management training. It is
so easy to rearrange existing knowledge and
experience to meet the needs of new delegates.
However the difficulty is in remaining
motivated and stimulated. This book has done
just that for me. I have already improved my
presentations and audience involvement by
using Max Atkinson's
tips.
I rate this
book so highly not only because I agree with
so many of his observations, but also because
I disagree with a few comments as I come from
a psychological background rather than a
sociological one. It has made me revisit some
of my assumptions and inspired me to check out
previous and new
research.
It is easy
to read, as it is joyful and jargon free. I
loved 'death by a thousand slides,' and the
anecdotes. Every teacher, trainer and
tomorrow's leaders need to read
this.
This will be a
best seller like 'Men are from Mars.' For me
it is a better book as it does not repeat the
first chapter in various disguises but offered
me new ideas as I read through every word
until the end. This is very rare for a
professional book. As I am an author of seven
management books, I wish I had thought of it!
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