The book also includes two of Obama’s most famous speeches — the one from the Democratic National Convention in 2004, and of course, the acceptance speech he made in Denver in 2008, at his own Democratic National Convention. And it’s not just the speeches themselves that are reprinted, but the text notes specific hand gestures, body language, delivery, pausing, among other techniques he used throughout the speeches. Rereading them is a way for anyone who is looking to improve their speaking skills — to learn the tools of the trade, so to speak.
Serving as mostly a functional guide for public speaking, anyone who has studied Obama’s delivery and has wished that talent upon themselves, this book serves as a useful resource with specific examples so one can learn how to make that happen. Or at least try to. If what you’re looking for is a political book that delves into the greater context of Obama’s political goals and vision, this is not the book for you. Say It Like Obama focuses on the specifics, the technical, and the physical. How does one relate to an audience? How does one deliver and phrase things in such a way that is memorable? This book dissects all that.
“Barack Obama has brought the power of oration back to American politics,” the back of the book states. And that is true. Learn from Obama’s style, take from it and make it your own. Obama has reinforced the notion that the speech, in and of itself, can be its own work of art.
Article comments
1 - Marc Anthony
Let's keep things in perspective. President Obama is a very capable speaker, well trained in rhetorical skills, and naturally verbal. He epitomizes great CEO-style oration. His words are not magic, not poetry -- he is no MLK, not by a long shot -- but he is sincere and knows how to move us with the clear language of straightforward ideas and personal experience.
President Obama's inspiring speeches come as a breath of fresh air after 8 years of unfocused, drawling and unpersuasive speeches of George Bush. But let's not overstate his skills.
He's a perfect living model for business presenters, and Leanne's book comes in handy for this purpose. I've already been coaching my presentation trainees with Obama-style rhetoric, techniques developed by Greek orators more than two millenia ago, but I'm grateful to Leanne for compiling all these good moments into one source. Saves me the trouble of downloading them off the 'net!