By Roy Underhill
ISBN-13: 978-0738206721
Public speaking is a critical part of communicating the preparedness message, delivering important safety information or assisting with the recovery after a disaster. And, whether that audience is the public, elected officials, stakeholders or the media, understanding how to capture the attention of your audience, maintain their interest and motivate them to act are skills that must be developed.
This book, written by Public Television's Woodwright Shop's host Roy Underhill, is an excellent place to begin your training. Underhill strikes to the heart of the matter, offering practical advice on how to read an audience, engage them throughout a presentation and call them to action afterward.
The title of the book is taken from a famous 1960 incident where Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev allegedly banged his shoe on a podium at the United Nations while denouncing an anti-Communist speech. While the incident may not have occurred, the gesture lives on as an example of how to draw attention to your message.
An easily approachable book, this is one that I keep handy and refer to frequently as I continue to polish my public presentation and speaking skills.
Tom Iovino, Public Information Specialist
Pinellas County, Florida
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomiovino
Interesting. The incident did occur. Nikita Khrushchev was seated at his appointed seat, and banged his shoe on his own desk to protest what the speaker was saying. I suspect the rebellious act might have been ignored had it not been from a head of state.
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