This is a book I had with me since 5 years. But it only now that I finally decided to read it.

To an aspiring speaker or to someone who wants to get down deeper into the pool of professional speaking, I would highly recommend this book. However, there are drawbacks to it which I will also present at the end.

Given the fact that James C. Humes is a former speechwriter for Presidents Eisenhower, Nixon, Ford, and Reagan and that he has written numerous books, including Instant Eloquence, Podium Humor, The Sir Winston Method, Citizen Shakespeare, and The Wit & Wisdom of Winston Churchill should immediately give you an idea how experienced James is as a teacher, coach and mentor.

So, let us get on with the overview.

The book contains 21 chapters encompassing the spectrum of writing, preparation, delivery, and even spontaneous speaking.
They are:
1. Power Pause
2. Power Opener
3. Power Presence
4. Power Point (not what you think…)
5. Power Brief
6. Power Quote
7. Power Stat
8. Power Outage
9. Power Wit
10. Power Parable
11. Power Gesture
12. Power Reading
13. Power Poetry
14. Power Line
15. Power Question
16. Power Word
17. Power Active
18. Power Dollar
19. Power Button
20. Power Closer
21. Power Audacity

There are a number of examples for each principle and the author has also given his own personal notes and nuggets for every point stated.

Having said that I did find short-comings to his book.

They are as follows:
1) Almost all the examples where either American leaders of the by-gone era or of the oratorical past. I could not relate to some of the examples as they were deeply embedded into the war-time era or into the American or British past.
2) Many a times the author would drag a point too long just to make himself clear. And that did lead to boredom and at times I felt it was just there to fill in the blank.
3) There were no new examples where technological usefulness and competency were outlined
4) Most of the examples were very appropriate to the oratorical style of speaking which cannot be used or applied today.
5) The books appeal lacks an International and youthful outlook and may confuse non-American or non-British English speakers. And yes, where it concerns youngsters, this book may not hit a home-run.

Having said that the book key features that make it stand out are:
1) The research contained in the book
2) The concepts and examples
3) The overview of the nuts and bolts of speaking
4) The experience that translates to education for others; and that comes from an scriptwriter who has been part of a very powerful political era
5) The depth of knowledge that comes from a strictly formal writer who cannot afford to make mistakes.

Who should read this book?

Someone who really wants to take his speaking skills from good to great and yes, who has an open and willing mind to dig a bit deeper into the historical styles of the great legends of the past. But to someone who cannot relate to American or British war time heroes or to oratorical style of speaking - or to someone who is looking at something modern, funky and fun - Think Twice.

Overall, I would give this book a 6 out of 10.