Confessions of a Public Speaker

Appendix F. Research and recommendations

If you want to know what sources beyond life experience shaped my opinions, or want advice on what to read next, this is for you.

There are two bibliographies—one annotated, the other ranked—and a summary of other research used to support the writing of this book.

Annotated bibliography

How to get over fears and anxiety

The best advice is to seek out your local Toastmasters group. It’s run and organized by supportive people interested in helping you. There are thousands of local groups, so visit http://www.toastmasters.org to find your local chapter.

Karen Kangas Dwyer’s book Conquer Your Speech Anxiety (Wadsworth), picked up cheap at a used bookstore, changed my thinking about fear. Unlike other good books on the subject, such as The Francis Effect, by M. F. Fensholt (Oakmont Press), this is a workbook. Along with each chapter are exercises designed to help you understand your unique set of fears, and to accept and work through them. It comes with a CD that helps with the exercises.

How to tell great stories

One chapter that didn’t make it into the book was about storytelling and how it’s the foundation of all good speaking and writing. I chose instead to do it rather than merely write about doing it, and I hope you found the stories in this book effective and memorable.

Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential (Harper Perennial) and George Orwell’s Down and Out in Paris and London (Mariner Books) were major inspirations for many reasons, especially ...