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The Art of Public Speaking: Lessons From the Greatest Speeches in History
Being a great public speaker can put you on the pathway to success, whether you're looking to teach, inform, persuade, or defend an idea. Yet many of us live in fear of public speaking. We experience stage fright or believe that speeches are best left to those with more intuitive talent. But nothing could be further from the truth.
As you'll learn in these 12 invaluable lectures, all it takes is confidence, practice, and the knowledge of techniques and strategies used by history's greatest public speakers, from Abraham Lincoln to Martin Luther King, Jr.
This insider's look at public speaking shows you three key components to help you succeed in any situation:
How to prepare for public speaking: Learn from Patrick Henry and others how to overcome stage fright, control your voice, use humor, and personalize your delivery.
How to craft a great speech: Learn how to build captivating speeches from people such as Susan B. Anthony and how to use stories, examples, logic, and impressive visual images.
How to handle your audience: Learn from Gandhi and others how to focus on your audience, invite them to share your vision, and inspire them to change.
Whether you want to finally become the confident public speaker you've always wanted to be or are just looking for fresh advice on how to strengthen your skills, this inspiring course is packed with practical advice to help you learn one of the most important skills in your personal and professional life.
©2010 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2010 The Great Courses
As you'll learn in these 12 invaluable lectures, all it takes is confidence, practice, and the knowledge of techniques and strategies used by history's greatest public speakers, from Abraham Lincoln to Martin Luther King, Jr.
This insider's look at public speaking shows you three key components to help you succeed in any situation:
How to prepare for public speaking: Learn from Patrick Henry and others how to overcome stage fright, control your voice, use humor, and personalize your delivery.
How to craft a great speech: Learn how to build captivating speeches from people such as Susan B. Anthony and how to use stories, examples, logic, and impressive visual images.
How to handle your audience: Learn from Gandhi and others how to focus on your audience, invite them to share your vision, and inspire them to change.
Whether you want to finally become the confident public speaker you've always wanted to be or are just looking for fresh advice on how to strengthen your skills, this inspiring course is packed with practical advice to help you learn one of the most important skills in your personal and professional life.
©2010 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2010 The Great Courses
186 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
26 people are currently reading
369 people want to read
About the author
John R. Hale
19 books40 followersAlso known as J.R. Hale.
Sir John Rigby Hale FBA (17 September 1923 – 12 August 1999) was a British historian and translator, best known for his Renaissance studies.
Hale was born in Ashford, Kent. He was educated at Jesus College, Oxford (B.A., 1948, M.A., 1953). He also attended Johns Hopkins University and Harvard University (1948–49).
He was a Fellow of the British Academy and Emeritus Professor of Italian History at University College, London, where he was head of the Italian Department from 1970 until his retirement in 1988. His first position was as Fellow and Tutor in Modern History at Jesus College, Oxford, from 1949 to 1964. After this he became the first Professor of History at Warwick University where he remained till 1970. He taught at a number of other universities including Cornell and the University of California.
He was a Trustee of the National Gallery, London, from 1973 to 1980, becoming Chairman from 1974. He was made a Knight Bachelor on 20 August 1984.
In 1992, he suffered a severe stroke that caused aphasia. He died seven years later in Twickenham, after which his wife, the journalist Sheila Hale, wrote a book about his final years titled The Man Who Lost His Language.
Sir John Rigby Hale FBA (17 September 1923 – 12 August 1999) was a British historian and translator, best known for his Renaissance studies.
Hale was born in Ashford, Kent. He was educated at Jesus College, Oxford (B.A., 1948, M.A., 1953). He also attended Johns Hopkins University and Harvard University (1948–49).
He was a Fellow of the British Academy and Emeritus Professor of Italian History at University College, London, where he was head of the Italian Department from 1970 until his retirement in 1988. His first position was as Fellow and Tutor in Modern History at Jesus College, Oxford, from 1949 to 1964. After this he became the first Professor of History at Warwick University where he remained till 1970. He taught at a number of other universities including Cornell and the University of California.
He was a Trustee of the National Gallery, London, from 1973 to 1980, becoming Chairman from 1974. He was made a Knight Bachelor on 20 August 1984.
In 1992, he suffered a severe stroke that caused aphasia. He died seven years later in Twickenham, after which his wife, the journalist Sheila Hale, wrote a book about his final years titled The Man Who Lost His Language.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
May 16, 2021
An engaging set of 12 lectures by Prof. John Hale, with lots of advice about things to do and also things to avoid in public speaking. Each lecture has a chief "guest lecturer", along with a few other lectures who assist the main idea of the lecture. These "lecturers" are historical figures from around the world who have given some of the best speeches ever in the history of mankind.
Prof. Hale gives you the historical context of the speech, and dissects it quite sharply. In addition to showing us what the speaker got right, he also shows us the other side - where the speaker fumbled and could have done better. This is not done to say the speech was bad, but to show some important points as to how it could have even more impact than it did.
The guest lecturers are stellar - John F. Kennedy, Mahatma Gandhi, Marc Antony, Abraham Lincoln, Sojourner Truth. To me, I was introduced to many historical figures I wasn't aware of before, so this was a neat little history lesson as well.
I highly recommend you to check out this course.
Prof. Hale gives you the historical context of the speech, and dissects it quite sharply. In addition to showing us what the speaker got right, he also shows us the other side - where the speaker fumbled and could have done better. This is not done to say the speech was bad, but to show some important points as to how it could have even more impact than it did.
The guest lecturers are stellar - John F. Kennedy, Mahatma Gandhi, Marc Antony, Abraham Lincoln, Sojourner Truth. To me, I was introduced to many historical figures I wasn't aware of before, so this was a neat little history lesson as well.
I highly recommend you to check out this course.
September 29, 2020
A good but not exceptional series on the art of public speaking. It has good pointers and some very good guidelines so the technical, nuts and bolts, aspect of the lectures are solid and worth learning. The thing that makes this lecture series less than what it should be is that the speaker somehow makes the great speeches plain when he delivers them, he also doesnt use the audio of the actual speeches from thos that were actually recorded very much which would of helped his presentation.
So overall a good class. Just not going to give a speech about it.
So overall a good class. Just not going to give a speech about it.
January 24, 2023
This man handles the topic of public speaking with great skill. Although he uses men and women of history who were excellent speakers like Elizebeth 1st Ghandi,Dr Martin Luther King Jr , J F Kennedy among others….but the true example was himself. He is an excellent speaker and very easy to listen to. You learn so much of the teacher and just following his example would make you a better communicator. I highly recommend this book. After listening to this book I immediately put certain things into practice. An extremely helpful book.
July 5, 2016
This lecture series is really good, I have given it a three star evaluation only because I felt it is a little too preliminary.
The positive, very good advise and very well collected examples of really good speeches. I have enjoyed the examples, even the ones I knew about before, put into a well organized context and flow. The lecturer has a clear line of thought and summing up of lessons learned.
The negative, a little too simplistic. Implies in some cases that there is only one single way to do a way of speaking. For example, never do emotions in a factual technical speech, that is mostly right but it is certainly not carved in stone. A few other things are similar in their simplicity.
The last note is that it only takes examples done in English (with the exception of Ancient Greek speakers). That is understandable but such a loss of opportunity to talk about how other cultures, which the lecturer admits do speeches and communication differently, perceive speaking and how that can enrich our public speaking by adapting techniques from others. That might not be the intention but I still feel it is a loss.
To conclude, I think that this is a good place for someone who would like to improve public speaking to get a few very valid and very good hints. It is not, though, going to much improve someone who is fairly comfortable with public speaking and would like to grow a few stages.
The positive, very good advise and very well collected examples of really good speeches. I have enjoyed the examples, even the ones I knew about before, put into a well organized context and flow. The lecturer has a clear line of thought and summing up of lessons learned.
The negative, a little too simplistic. Implies in some cases that there is only one single way to do a way of speaking. For example, never do emotions in a factual technical speech, that is mostly right but it is certainly not carved in stone. A few other things are similar in their simplicity.
The last note is that it only takes examples done in English (with the exception of Ancient Greek speakers). That is understandable but such a loss of opportunity to talk about how other cultures, which the lecturer admits do speeches and communication differently, perceive speaking and how that can enrich our public speaking by adapting techniques from others. That might not be the intention but I still feel it is a loss.
To conclude, I think that this is a good place for someone who would like to improve public speaking to get a few very valid and very good hints. It is not, though, going to much improve someone who is fairly comfortable with public speaking and would like to grow a few stages.
July 5, 2013
Hale delivers effective concise advice about transforming public speaking into something memorable and meaningful as opposed from a mere opportunity to provide information to listeners. I liked his use of examples ranging from ghandi to Marie Curie. He also manages to critique a number of historic speeches and while many would avoid criticizing such historical heroes as Susan b Anthony, Hale does this, not in a whiny I'm superior way, but with reason and thoughtfulness.
April 24, 2017
I rather enjoyed this series. I will definitely relisten whenever I need to prepare a speech myself
July 10, 2013
This course was pure ear candy. The professor is great, and his subjects are even greater. The focus is on the speeches more than the speakers, but you get some great tidbits about their approach as well.
This is one of the shorter courses in The Great Courses series: 12 lectures of about 30 minutes each. I got the audio CDs from TheGreatCourses.com and listened in my car over the course of 2 weeks.
This is one of the shorter courses in The Great Courses series: 12 lectures of about 30 minutes each. I got the audio CDs from TheGreatCourses.com and listened in my car over the course of 2 weeks.
September 23, 2013
It's a pity that the biggest thing this would have benefitted from is a more skilled orator. There are some facts present but the delivery leaves a lot to be desired. If I'd been made to sit through this lecture series in a classroom, I'd have probably lost my mind.
The guy somehow manages to make brilliant speeches sound dull. A lot more would have been achieved if the speeches themselves had just been read and/or watched.
The guy somehow manages to make brilliant speeches sound dull. A lot more would have been achieved if the speeches themselves had just been read and/or watched.
September 3, 2016
Inspiring, featuring some of the greatest speeches as examples and models to study, communicating cogent analysis and sensible exhortation, Dr. Hale's lecture series just makes you want to go talk to somebody! I thoroughly enjoyed Dr. Hale's lectures, and I will remember and use much of his advice.
October 25, 2018
Very down to earth, practical, yet not at all condescending, intro to public speaking. I like that the sources are classic speeches rather than TED talks, for example. These are speeches that don't try to sell you something, unlike the onus of many speaking guides nowadays. You will get a bit of classical education on the side, instead of a sales pitch.
November 15, 2012
excellent but brief
- learnt about Tecumseh and his Unity speech
- details about Kennedy's moon speech, which I followed up on Youtube
- details about the boring part of MLKJ's speech, the part prior to I Have A Dream
- learnt about Tecumseh and his Unity speech
- details about Kennedy's moon speech, which I followed up on Youtube
- details about the boring part of MLKJ's speech, the part prior to I Have A Dream
September 25, 2016
This lecture series is a great overview of public speaking, it analyzes serval famous speeches to see what was done right with them.
April 11, 2024
Part of the Great Courses series, this is an audiobook recording of 12 half-hour lectures given by Professor John R. Hale, archaeologist and historian at the University of Louisville, Kentucky. The course takes listeners through the standard techniques of overcoming fear, using vocal range and body language, how to employ humour, structure, and ultimately, get the audience to take action. Hale illustrates his points with excerpts from classic speeches by monarchs, presidents, philosophers, politicians, activists, and even characters in Shakespearean plays.
With experience as an assistant lecturer at university level, a tutor the private sector and a teacher of public speaking, I’ve made hundreds of presentations, so there was nothing surprising here. But I like to hear how other people teach public speaking and what intrigued me was the way Professor Hale explained the techniques using real speeches, encouraging his listeners to learn from the greatest orators in recorded history. I’d heard him in another course and was again impressed by his calm, deliberate enthusiasm that always inspires but never goes over the top.
Although I knew the subject matter quite well, I still enjoyed the course. If you want to improve your presentation skills, the only way to get better is to do it. But before you do, I recommend listening to this audiobook, with plenty of clear and easy-to-apply advice to help you craft a better speech.
With experience as an assistant lecturer at university level, a tutor the private sector and a teacher of public speaking, I’ve made hundreds of presentations, so there was nothing surprising here. But I like to hear how other people teach public speaking and what intrigued me was the way Professor Hale explained the techniques using real speeches, encouraging his listeners to learn from the greatest orators in recorded history. I’d heard him in another course and was again impressed by his calm, deliberate enthusiasm that always inspires but never goes over the top.
Although I knew the subject matter quite well, I still enjoyed the course. If you want to improve your presentation skills, the only way to get better is to do it. But before you do, I recommend listening to this audiobook, with plenty of clear and easy-to-apply advice to help you craft a better speech.
January 21, 2022
Having previously listened to at least two Audible selections from The Great Courses I had no hesitations with the Audible title "The Art of Public Speaking: Lessons from the Greatest Speeches in History". Also, I am always eager to improve my public speaking skills as it sometimes feels difficult to do and I feel like this is a bit of a personal weakness in my work setting so listening to this selection felt like a win-win for me.
Professor Hale does a splendid job in his narration of this course broken up in 12 parts of 30 minutes each. He references multiple historical speakers (Abraham Lincoln to Martin Luther King, Jr., Susan B. Anthony to Gandhi) in his course that he easily demonstrates successes and pitfalls in their speeches. Hale's narration was easy to listen to and learn from his content. It was a treat to hear the words from so many great orators!
If you are interested in learning something new The Great Courses offerings may peak your interest. This course earns a five star rating as did the two previous listens.
Professor Hale does a splendid job in his narration of this course broken up in 12 parts of 30 minutes each. He references multiple historical speakers (Abraham Lincoln to Martin Luther King, Jr., Susan B. Anthony to Gandhi) in his course that he easily demonstrates successes and pitfalls in their speeches. Hale's narration was easy to listen to and learn from his content. It was a treat to hear the words from so many great orators!
If you are interested in learning something new The Great Courses offerings may peak your interest. This course earns a five star rating as did the two previous listens.
October 17, 2019
This series of lectures went very quickly, was easy to listen to, and will be worth a re-listen sometime in the near future. I like how the author brings in very different persons from history and highlights both elements of great speeches, and where those speeches went a little awry and lost some of the impact they could have had.
The concepts brought forward here are easily applicable no matter what kind of public speaking you might be doing - an influence speech at work, an informative speech at a conference, a eulogy at a funeral, a toast at a wedding.
Some of the elements he discusses are things most people have probably heard before - like the rule of threes, but he expands on it and makes you think about it in a different way, and adds other concepts that in my experience were not really brought forward before as "how to speak well".
I recommend this book for anybody who anticipates needing to do public speaking and wants to improve their performance.
The concepts brought forward here are easily applicable no matter what kind of public speaking you might be doing - an influence speech at work, an informative speech at a conference, a eulogy at a funeral, a toast at a wedding.
Some of the elements he discusses are things most people have probably heard before - like the rule of threes, but he expands on it and makes you think about it in a different way, and adds other concepts that in my experience were not really brought forward before as "how to speak well".
I recommend this book for anybody who anticipates needing to do public speaking and wants to improve their performance.
June 24, 2021
Learned some great speech strategies (interspersed with humor) in this tiny book, like these:
- In cases where you are not inciting a revolution, smile
- In an argument, be relentless in speaking well of your opponents
I am still confused why the cover picture shows President Kennedy since not once is he mentioned.
I also was expecting the speeches referenced to be included in their entirety inside the book, but just pieces are quoted to illustrate various points. I was able to find most of the speeches online though, abd print them out.
I like how each chapter explains the background context of each speech and how each chapter ends with key take-aways.
Just another great reminder of how much we can learn from the past!
- In cases where you are not inciting a revolution, smile
- In an argument, be relentless in speaking well of your opponents
I am still confused why the cover picture shows President Kennedy since not once is he mentioned.
I also was expecting the speeches referenced to be included in their entirety inside the book, but just pieces are quoted to illustrate various points. I was able to find most of the speeches online though, abd print them out.
I like how each chapter explains the background context of each speech and how each chapter ends with key take-aways.
Just another great reminder of how much we can learn from the past!
June 12, 2019
Listened to this in an airport lounge. Very basic. Not likely to add anything to the seasoned public speaker or speech writer’s skill set. Also, the speaker is monotone and quotes from famous speeches rather than playing the clip from the speeches, which would have livened the audio considerably. (This is my second consecutive poor review. I need to choose better going forward.)
May 7, 2020
Although words are important, a great speech is more about delivery/technique. The author demonstrates this distinctly by going back in time to select and dissect a handful of memorable speeches delivered by great individuals. He repeats himself in some areas, nonetheless he clearly brings out the key components of an outstanding speech.
October 15, 2024
Excellent lectures. I listened to an audiobook from The Great Courses, it was very interesting, informative and enjoyable. Note: The author currently listed for this book is not the correct author. The correct author is Professor John R. Hale Ph.D from University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
August 29, 2025
I was told about this work with great excitement; the person remembered it as the best writing on public speaking ever. I learned nothing from it, but then I have been toiling in the public speaking vineyard for many years, so I'm probably not the intended audience. Perfect for high school or college students wanting to learn the basic of public speaking from someone who knows his stuff.
May 11, 2017
The speaker had no evidence of expertise in this subject (besides having taught classes before, something that could be said of many, many others) and did not reference any authoritative sources about public speaking.
August 16, 2019
I took some lessons from it, even if I don’t deliver speeches but only presentations. It’s a very poetic delivery, sometimes requires you to get back to the focus/objective of the current lecture. The summaries at the end help a lot.
August 29, 2022
A nice novel delivery of public speaking principles, the pri ciples themselves are tried, rested, a d briay shared, but tying them to great speeches from history os what made this an enjoyable a d informative listen.
December 5, 2023
Memorizatio is a skill and you need to be special
Be able to touch emotion and get to that place right now to get people to feel
Use imagery more and better
Memorize the quotes and have them ready
Be able to touch emotion and get to that place right now to get people to feel
Use imagery more and better
Memorize the quotes and have them ready
June 22, 2025
The book + the lecture series. Demosthenes working out and chewing rocks to overcome his speech impediment then arguing for and winning his father’s inheritance in court was an incredible way to start this series.
July 4, 2017
Incredibly useful course!
November 4, 2017
not a bad take on past famous speech clips and their good points
December 17, 2018
Pretty cool collection of speeches but he really butchers some of them.
December 19, 2019
Brilliant, practical and extremely useful.
October 21, 2020
I didn't really like the content, it's more about the story of other people and how they do public speaking. I'm more interested in author perspective how to do public speaking.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews