There are some dapper English gentlemen, yes they still exist, who have that wonderful ability to verbally fell an opponent with one short phrase or sentence. Madsen Pirie, of Adam Smith Institute fame, is one such man. In this book he is trying to improve the appalling quality of rhetoric these days. An uphill battle maybe; but one that Madsen seems to be taking on with great gusto.
He aims to help readers send an opponent into a cul-de-sac, so he will be so busy attempting to extricate himself the debate will be over. As useful is the fact that this book helps to warn readers of all the ways that opponents can try to flummox them in any debate or discussion. This advice is given in a wonderfully sardonic and pithy style that makes one laugh out loud. Definitely not the turgid tome one can expect on this subject.
In the publisher's warning it cautions: In the wrong hands this book is dangerous. We recommend that you arm yourself with it whilst keeping out of the hands of others. Only buy this book as a gift if you are sure that you can trust the recipient.
As his colleague at the ASI, Eamonn Butler put it, "this should be given to all Consevative MPs." This just reminds all of us of just how bad a state political rhetoric is in the UK; not much better in the US.
This book constitutes a master class in the art of rhetoric - and all in 182 pages! The length of the book is another reminder for all readers: brevity is the soul of wit.
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