TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking

In 2002, Anderson shifted his career in journalism to lead TED, the conference-based public speaking venture that eventually became a social media sensation thanks to the development of online video streaming. Now he offers a resource covering all facets of presentation preparation. He has a plethora of excellent advice to offer based on past TED talks, including some of the most successful and popular ones. He covers important topics such as making a personal connection with audiences, explaining complicated subjects to laypeople, priming people to accept counterintuitive ideas, and cultivating a sense of showmanship. In giving voice to the audio edition of his title, Anderson faces the same overall dilemma that he addresses in his material. A “how-to” text—even one covering the matter of public speaking itself—does not necessarily lend itself to an inspiring listening experience. Anderson has no doubt mastered the fine points of vocal style, and his TED colleagues Rielly and Stoezel chime in to read the book’s checklists, bringing a welcome change of pace. But those in search of the same adrenaline rush that they get from actual TED Talks will not find it here, as Anderson earnestly seeks to keep his focus primarily instructional. A Houghton Mifflin Harcourt hardcover. (May)