Mortimer J. AdlerHow to Speak How to Listen (A Guide to Effective Communication)

When I started to listen to this book, I realized I was not retaining the information. And since it is very valuable information, I really wanted to grasp it all. So I bought the book so I can read along with the Audible version. I really appreciate that it is available in both formats.

This book is best read after Mortimer Adler’s companion piece, How to Read a Book, which outlines the responsibilities and strategies needed to successfully engage in reading and writing. Similarly, in How to Speak, How to Listen Adler offers the same practical and direct approach to the reciprocal processes of speaking and listening. Adler focuses on building his own ethos throughout the book through a comprehensive overview of the art of rhetoric using real life examples and references to others’ work.Adler takes us through the entire process, beginning with our deficits: communication pitfalls, educational gaps, and hubris. He distinguishes between different types of speeches, such as what he calls the “Sales Talk” or lectures in order to strategize for varied motivations for speaking. These chapters of the book are detailed and user-friendly for those in educational fields and beyond. This book is not about pedagogy; it is intended to be an academic instruction manual for the masses. Adler establishes this objective early on.At the end of the book, Adler emphasizes the reciprocity of speaking and listening by connecting communication to our collective sense of humanity. He sees this as particularly important in an increasingly digital world where communication feels one-sided and is delivered less often through personal interaction. Building, maintaining, and honing these skills is essential to our happiness. We need them to participate in all levels of community: international, national, regional, and local politics. Also as we get older, communication becomes an increasingly necessary tool for bonding and creating relationships with others. However, at the end, Adler tells us why these things really matter: speaking and listening are essential to learning, and the lifelong acquisition of knowledge, friendship, and discovery is imperative to engage in the world. Life does not mean much in a vacuum. How to Speak, How to Listen is about the reciprocity of human connection to a world that seems disconnected.

Mortimer J. Adler's "How to Speak How to Listen" makes several instructive points for the practical person seeking a theoretical framework as well as the novice professional speaker and meeting participant. These suggestions also connect well to writing at work.Adler suggests an order for introducing into a presentation Aristotle's time-tested tripartite of persuasion as follows: ethos (credibility), pathos (emotion), and logos (logic). In addition, he examines two indispensable considerations of speech preparation, once again borrowing from Greek: taxis (the structure) and lexis (the language).Some of his observations are memorable:"Always risk talking over (your audience's) heads.""Truly great books ... are the few books that are over everybody's head all of the time."In speeches, "On the one hand, the language employed and the sentences constructed should be clear without being plain. On the other hand, they should have a certain elevation above the ordinary without being obscure.""The most prevalent mistake that people make about both listening and reading is to regard them as passively receiving rather than actively participating.""To disagree before you understand is impertinent. To agree is inane."

I loved this reading. In fact I use it in my lectures because it has so many examples and insights on the topic of writing, reading, speaking and (last but not least) listening.Adler opens an entire field of inquiry as long as he proposes that listening is the hardest of the skills for everyone. As nobody teach you how to listen, so he does. And he does it perfectly well.At the end of the book there is an appendix (The Harvey Cushing Memorial Oration) in which Adler proposes an example on the topic of how organizing a speech for talking about some controversial issues (like the existence of God). To me, that is the least accomplished part, but it doesn't diminish the previous achievement.Highly recommended.

Everything arrived on time and as advertised

If all how-to books were written like this I would read them for the sheer enjoyment of the writing. The writing style and format are clear, well-structured, approachable, and concise. Learning lots of valuable tips and approaches for better speaking and listening without coming off like a used car salesman, and am learning a lot about writing well by example in this book. I have How to Write as well and haven't read it yet, but Mr. Adler practices what he preaches. Really enjoyed his chapter describing the true, uncorrupted definition of rhetoric and its value.

I give this book three stars only because this is a companion book to How To Read A Book (which I give a 5 Star). I think that Adler is a masterful teacher whose work has helped me immensely. This book makes much sense ONLY when paralleled with all of the ideas and understanding gained from his previous book. On its own, I find it suggestive only and not as exhaustive and comprehensive as How to Read A Book. But, Both Are A Must Read.

Useful and applicable

All the thing accumulated in single volume by a very editor of encyclopedia brittanica .this book is necessary for thos who want to give public lecture or to listen it intelligently. auther has 50 - 60 year of lecturing experience ; take part in occasional ceremony lectures ; also attain public discussion forum tell a lot about the status of this book.

Great book,quick service,good seller.

a must read for kids in high school, adults will get benefit as well.

Good book