Rating: 
Summary: I actually tried to rely on this book for a presentation...
Review: I loved reading this book - Ms. Noonan kept the momentum flowing. This is a very good introduction for people who are nervous about public speaking and/or speech writing. Ms. Noonan gives some insights and "how to's" about a person and/or topic. We must learn about what works for a person and what will not. Some of this is not earth shattering, however we can enhance our knowledge through her real life examples. Peggy points out that we should develop our own style, and we should avoid imitating other people's styles. Ms. Noonan also recommends that we use of humor in the right situations, never speak in a style above us, and avoid industry jargon.I frequently give seminars for my company, and I am a president of a non-profit group. I found the ideas and suggestions extremely useful in enhancing my presentation skills. There are a lot of Ronald Reagan examples/case studies, which I enjoyed because I am a huge Reagan fan. To me this was an added bonus.
Rating: 
Summary: Speaking to me
Review: I loved reading this book - Ms. Noonan kept the momentum flowing. This is a very good introduction for people who are nervous about public speaking and/or speech writing. Ms. Noonan gives some insights and "how to's" about a person and/or topic. We must learn about what works for a person and what will not. Some of this is not earth shattering, however we can enhance our knowledge through her real life examples. Peggy points out that we should develop our own style, and we should avoid imitating other people's styles. Ms. Noonan also recommends that we use of humor in the right situations, never speak in a style above us, and avoid industry jargon. I frequently give seminars for my company, and I am a president of a non-profit group. I found the ideas and suggestions extremely useful in enhancing my presentation skills. There are a lot of Ronald Reagan examples/case studies, which I enjoyed because I am a huge Reagan fan. To me this was an added bonus.
Rating:
Summary: A READER from St. Cloud Mn. was wrong...
Review: I spent 25 years as a successful Congressional speechwriter, and after reading "What I Saw at the Revolution" it was clear that her speechwriting is on a technical level I will never approach. At the same time, it was eqaully clear that she is a Nobel-level writer but a kindergarten-level thinker. Her political statements are simplistic ideological cliches and too often misstate and/or distort facts. So I picked up this book, thinking it would be a useful treatise on speech technique. Instead, it is unfocused, not particularly useful, and dripping with partisan hatred. It is appalling that she is unable to discuss even the ideologically neutral subject of speechwriting without lapsing into her political obsessions. I have written (not for publication) a brief speechwriting manual from which you would glean no hint of my politics. Conservative columnist William Safire also sometimes wrote about the English language in totally non-ideological terms. So do many prominent political writers. Noonan owes those who pay for this book a clean focus on technique, and she doesn't deliver -- on that or anything else. If conservative polemics are what you're after, buy this book. Otherwise, save your money.
Rating:
Summary: Dogmatism above all
Review: I spent 25 years as a successful Congressional speechwriter, and after reading "What I Saw at the Revolution" it was clear that her speechwriting is on a technical level I will never approach. At the same time, it was eqaully clear that she is a Nobel-level writer but a kindergarten-level thinker. Her political statements are simplistic ideological cliches and too often misstate and/or distort facts. So I picked up this book, thinking it would be a useful treatise on speech technique. Instead, it is unfocused, not particularly useful, and dripping with partisan hatred. It is appalling that she is unable to discuss even the ideologically neutral subject of speechwriting without lapsing into her political obsessions. I have written (not for publication) a brief speechwriting manual from which you would glean no hint of my politics. Conservative columnist William Safire also sometimes wrote about the English language in totally non-ideological terms. So do many prominent political writers. Noonan owes those who pay for this book a clean focus on technique, and she doesn't deliver -- on that or anything else. If conservative polemics are what you're after, buy this book. Otherwise, save your money.
Rating: 
Summary: A Must Read
Review: If you ever have to give a speech...read this book!! There are a lot of great examples which show what not to do in a speech, and pointers for making a good speech great. I write speeches for my boss, and this book helped me greatly. I have read all of Peggy's books, and I highly recommend all of them. I especially liked Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. She is a great writer.
Rating: 
Summary: Politics Disguised as Speech Advice
Review: If you want simple, well organized and effective guidance on making good speeches, get 7 Steps to Fearless Speaking, by Lilyan Wilder, don't get Simply Speaking by Peggy Noonan. Ms. Noonan is okay with words, but she uses every single platform available, including this book, to push her right-wing politics and bash others, especially Democrats. It is unfortunate that she can't seem to open her mouth or her word processor without giving us this same old tired theme. Apparently you can't give a good speech unless you subscribe to her politics. The book is also not particularly well written and is poorly organized -- her editor should have done better on this end. The only reason I can come up with for reading/listening to this, when I thought about it, was that it has lots of anecdotes about political figures and speechwriters. So if you're looking for something to really help you give speeches, this is mediocre at best.
Rating:
Summary: A good reference source
Review: If you're a speech writer or a person who is often called upon to speak in public, you'll find this slim volume full of nice advice. I liked best the sections that featured passages from some of the memorable speeches Ms. Noonan has written for others. Maybe it's time for a collection of her writings from Time, the Wall Street Journal, as well as complete texts of her classic speeches? Publishers & editors should look into this.
Rating:
Summary: Positively Poetic Prose
Review: It is by far the best book ever written by someone named Peggy. Some say it's "I Teach Kindergarten" by Peggy Campbell-Rush, but they're wrong. There's no doubt, Peggy Noonan is the Peggy I'm talking about. Her prose is positively poetic. Her stories about scribing speeches are spectacular. Her anecdotes are awesome, awe-inspiring, and amazing. After reading it, I just wanted to write. Write what you say? Not letters nor essays, no short stories, and definitely not novels; I just wanted to write speeches. With this book, I obtained important insights and intriguing information about how to draft a speech (As you can see, Peggy informed me of the importance of alliteration). Maybe one day I will write a line as memorable as "Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country," and I promise you that it is now possible because of Peggy Noonan.
Rating:
Summary: Positively Poetic Prose
Review: It is by far the best book ever written by someone named Peggy. Some say it's "I Teach Kindergarten" by Peggy Campbell-Rush, but they're wrong. There's no doubt, Peggy Noonan is the Peggy I'm talking about. Her prose is positively poetic. Her stories about scribing speeches are spectacular. Her anecdotes are awesome, awe-inspiring, and amazing. After reading it, I just wanted to write. Write what you say? Not letters nor essays, no short stories, and definitely not novels; I just wanted to write speeches. With this book, I obtained important insights and intriguing information about how to draft a speech (As you can see, Peggy informed me of the importance of alliteration). Maybe one day I will write a line as memorable as "Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country," and I promise you that it is now possible because of Peggy Noonan.
Rating:
Summary: Eloquence in Advice
Review: Ms. Noonan is among the most eloquent people I have come across in modern times. Quick-witted and intelligent, she uses the common tongue to express uncommon ideas. She has written a book that provides a good background for public speaking. She able to draw on her long experience as a speechwriter to enable her pupils to understand the challenges of both writing and giving speeches. Moreover, Ms. Noonan is so good with words that I would read that book if had no concern with speechmaking. Read this book, you will enjoy it.
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