best books for presentation skills

Top 10 Best Presentation Books For November 2024: Boost Your Presentation Skills

November 15, 2024

Presentation and Pitch Expert. Ex Advertising.

$100mill In Funding. Bald Since 2010.

In an increasingly competitive world, standing out from the crowd can be a daunting challenge.

One critical skill that sets exceptional individuals apart is the ability to deliver powerful and persuasive presentations. However, mastering this art is no easy feat, and many struggle to captivate their audience, effectively convey their message, and leave a lasting impression.

To overcome these hurdles, it’s essential to learn from the masters of the craft. By studying the techniques and strategies of expert presenters, you can unlock the secrets to creating truly engaging and impactful presentations.

They’ve honed their craft through years of experience, discovering secrets that make presentations truly unforgettable. That’s why we’ve curated a list of the top 10 best presentation books these maestros wrote.

Imagine confidently stepping onto the stage, captivating your audience from the very first moment, and leaving them with an unforgettable message. This can become a reality with the right guidance and resources.

Hey there, I’m Viktor, a  pitch deck expert , creative strategist and burger lover. I’ve been a pitch deck expert for the past 10 years and helped clients raise millions and win pitches, with my unique approach to creating pitch decks.

My aim is to guide you through a transformative journey, revealing the books that explain the techniques and strategies employed by the world’s most successful presenters. 

So, dive in and let these masters of communication elevate your presentations to new heights of clarity, engagement, and persuasiveness.

Here are the 10 must-read presentation skills books for anyone standing in front of an audience (even if it’s just your wife and you’re trying to convince her).

Hey , before you read on:

Consider doing what others like you did. Reading how to make presentations will take a-lot of time. You need one today (probably) . Let me help you develop a killer presentation and save 10+ hours of your time for a fraction of the cost. All it takes to start is a free 30 min call with me.

The least you will get is 10 actionable tips & strategies to own that next presentation, worth $599, for free.

“Slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations” by Nancy Duarte

900+ Pros like yourself read the book

Nancy Duarte’s book is a comprehensive guide that aims to revolutionize the way people create and deliver presentations.

The book highlights the importance of visual communication and teaches readers how to design slides that effectively convey their message. Duarte provides a step-by-step approach to crafting visually engaging and impactful presentations, with a strong focus on audience needs and preferences.

Drawing from her extensive experience working with some of the world’s top brands, Duarte shares practical tips and techniques for creating visually stunning slides that leave a lasting impression on the audience.

The book covers various aspects of presentation design, including color theory, typography, layout, and storytelling. “Slide:ology” also emphasizes the significance of simplicity and clarity in slide design, guiding readers to eliminate clutter and focus on the essential elements of their message.

By applying the principles and strategies outlined in this book, you can transform your presentations into powerful tools for communication and persuasion.

Key concepts and techniques

Nancy Duarte covers several key concepts and techniques that can help readers create effective and visually engaging presentations. Some of these key concepts and techniques include:

• Audience-centric approach: Understanding the needs, preferences, and expectations of the audience is crucial in crafting a presentation that resonates with them. 
• Storytelling: Integrating storytelling into presentations makes them more memorable and compelling. 
• Simplicity and clarity: Effective slide design requires simplicity and clarity. 
• Visual communication: Slide:ology emphasizes the importance of using visuals to support the message, as images and graphics are often more effective than text alone. 
• Color theory: The book covers the basics of color theory, explaining how different colors can evoke specific emotions and reactions in the audience. 
• Typography and layout: Typography and layout play a significant role in making slides readable and visually appealing. 
• Data visualization: Presenting complex data in a clear and concise manner is a critical skill in effective presentations. 
• Slide preparation and organization: The book offers strategies for organizing slides and building a coherent flow throughout the presentation. 

“Resonate: Present Visual Stories That Transform Audiences” by Nancy Duarte

Another one by Nancy Duarte and for a good reason (I always thought I could’ve been her prodigal son) The book she wrote offers a comprehensive guide to creating impactful presentations. Duarte emphasizes the importance of telling a compelling story to engage and persuade an audience, and presents a framework for doing so.

It builds on the concepts introduced in Slide:ology. While Slide:ology focuses on creating effective visual presentations, Resonate takes a more comprehensive approach by emphasizing the importance of storytelling and emotional connection.

The book outlines the five stages of a persuasive presentation, beginning with understanding the audience and their needs, and culminating in a call to action. Along the way, Duarte emphasizes the importance of creating a strong emotional connection with the audience and structuring the presentation to build tension and excitement.

Duarte also offers practical advice on designing effective visual aids, such as slides, diagrams, and charts. She emphasizes the importance of keeping visuals simple and uncluttered, and using them to support and reinforce the key points of the presentation.

Overall, Resonate is a valuable resource for anyone looking to create persuasive and engaging presentations that connect with audiences on a deeper level.

“Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery” by Garr Reynolds

600+ Pros like yourself read the book

Garr’s book is a guide to creating compelling and effective presentations (as are all of the books here!). The book emphasizes the importance of simplicity and clarity in both the design and delivery of presentations.

Reynolds argues that too many presentations rely on cluttered slides, bullet points, and irrelevant details. Instead, he encourages presenters to focus on a simple message and use visuals to support that message. He also stresses the importance of rehearsing and delivering presentations in a natural and engaging manner.

Throughout the book, Reynolds offers practical advice on design principles such as layout, color, and typography, as well as tips for using technology effectively to enhance presentations.

You’ll notice that both Nancy and Garr talk about similar points – that’s because they’re really important in presentation design and delivery.

“The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs: How to Be Insanely Great in Front of Any Audience” by Carmine Gallo

800+ Pros like yourself read the book

This book with an insanely long name by Carmine Gallo is a guide to improving presentation skills through the example of Steve Jobs, the legendary you know who.

Gallo identifies seven key principles that Jobs used to create engaging and memorable presentations. These principles include simplifying the message, creating a clear and compelling storyline, and using visuals to enhance the message.

The book also offers practical advice on how to apply these principles to one’s own presentations, including tips on using technology, preparing for presentations, and delivering speeches with confidence and enthusiasm.

Throughout the book, Gallo uses examples from Jobs’ presentations to illustrate his points, and includes interviews with other successful presenters who have used these principles to achieve success.

Remember the iPod speech? Well, you could potentially make the same impact if you apply the principles of this book.

“Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World’s Top Minds” by Carmine Gallo

4000+ Pros like yourself read the book

Another great book by Carmine Gallo. This is a guide to improving public speaking skills by analyzing the techniques used by some of the most successful TED speakers.

Gallo identifies nine key principles that successful TED speakers use to create compelling and memorable presentations. These principles include storytelling, using humor, and focusing on a clear and compelling message.

The book provides practical advice on how to apply these principles to one’s own presentations, including tips on using body language, using multimedia effectively, and engaging with the audience.

Throughout the book, Gallo uses examples from successful TED talks to illustrate his points, and includes interviews with successful TED speakers to provide additional insights and inspiration.

Overall, Talk Like TED is a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their public speaking skills and create more engaging and memorable presentations. By focusing on the techniques used by successful TED speakers, Gallo provides a roadmap for creating truly inspiring speeches.

“Show and Tell: How Everybody Can Make Extraordinary Presentations” by Dan Roam

300+ Pros like yourself read the book

Show and Tell is a guide to improving presentation skills by using a visual approach to communication.

Roam argues that the most successful presentations are those that use visual aids to tell a compelling story. He introduces a framework for creating effective presentations that focuses on three key elements: the message, the audience, and the medium.

The book provides practical advice on how to use visual aids, such as sketches and diagrams, to support the message and engage the audience. Roam also emphasizes the importance of understanding the audience and tailoring the presentation to their needs and interests.

Throughout the book, Roam uses examples from successful presentations to illustrate his points, and includes exercises and templates to help readers apply his ideas to their own presentations.

By focusing on the visual aspect of communication, Roam provides a fresh perspective on how to create truly effective presentations.

“The Art of Explanation: Making Your Ideas, Products, and Services Easier to Understand” by Lee LeFever

300 Pros like yourself read the book

Lee wants to show us through this guide how to improve communication skills by mastering the art of explanation. Abit different than the other books and for a good reason.

LeFever argues that the most successful communicators are those who can explain complex ideas in simple and understandable terms. He introduces a framework for creating effective explanations that focuses on three key elements: clarity, brevity, and context.

The book provides practical advice on how to use analogies, metaphors, and storytelling to help audiences understand even the most complex ideas. LeFever also emphasizes the importance of understanding the audience and tailoring the explanation to their needs and interests.

Throughout the book, LeFever uses examples from successful explanations to illustrate his points, and includes exercises and templates to help readers apply his ideas to their own communication challenges.

By focusing on the art of explanation, Lee provides a practical and actionable guide for making even the most complex ideas understandable to others.

“Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die” by Chip Heath & Dan Heath

5000+ Pros like yourself read the book

Chip and Dan Heath (or Chip and Dale) explore the elements that make ideas memorable and influential. The authors present six key principles, encapsulated in the acronym SUCCESs:

• Simplicity : Effective ideas are simple, core messages that are easy to understand and remember.
• Unexpectedness : Ideas that surprise or challenge expectations are more likely to grab attention and stick in people’s minds.
• Concreteness : Concrete ideas, with specific examples and tangible details, are more relatable and easier to visualize.
• Credibility : Ideas backed by credible sources, statistics, or testimonials are more persuasive and memorable.
• Emotions : Ideas that evoke emotions, either positive or negative, create a stronger connection with the audience.
• Stories : Telling stories helps to convey ideas in a compelling and engaging way, making them more likely to be remembered and shared.

By applying these principles, individuals and organizations can develop more effective communication strategies and make their ideas stickier.

“Confessions of a Public Speaker” by Scott Berkun

500+ Pros like yourself read the book

Scott Berkun offers an honest and entertaining look into the world of professional public speaking. Berkun shares his personal experiences and insights to help readers improve their presentation and communication skills. The book covers a wide range of topics, from overcoming stage fright to engaging audiences effectively.

Berkun emphasizes that practice, preparation, and self-awareness are crucial to becoming a successful public speaker. He advises readers to know their material thoroughly, understand the audience, and create a strong opening to capture attention. To keep audiences engaged, he suggests using humor, storytelling, and varying one’s speaking pace and tone.

The book also covers handling difficult situations, such as dealing with technical issues, unresponsive audiences, or hostile questions. Berkun stresses the importance of staying calm, thinking on one’s feet, and learning from every experience. Ultimately, “Confessions of a Public Speaker” provides valuable tips and candid stories to help anyone become a more confident and effective communicator.

“Steal the Show: From Speeches to Job Interviews to Deal-Closing Pitches” by Michael Port

Michael Port offers a comprehensive guide to mastering the art of public speaking and persuasive communication in various settings. Port emphasizes the importance of performance in all aspects of life, from delivering speeches to acing job interviews and winning business deals.

The book provides actionable strategies for improving one’s performance skills, such as understanding the audience, crafting compelling stories, and developing a strong stage presence. Port stresses the need to be authentic and genuine, while also being aware of nonverbal communication and vocal dynamics.

“Steal the Show” also covers essential preparation techniques, including extensive research, rehearsal, and mental visualization. Port advises readers to manage their nerves through mindfulness and self-awareness. He also shares tips on handling challenging situations and improvising when things don’t go as planned.

Best Presentation Books Wrap Up

In conclusion, the top 10 best presentation books provide a wealth of knowledge and practical advice for mastering public speaking and persuasive communication.

These books, including “Made to Stick,” “Confessions of a Public Speaker,” and “Steal the Show,” among others, offer valuable insights into various aspects of delivering engaging and effective presentations.

Exploring these resources is highly recommended for anyone looking to improve their public speaking skills, whether they are seasoned professionals or just starting their journey. By learning from the experiences and expertise of these accomplished authors, readers can develop their unique style and confidence in presenting their ideas.

Effective presentations play a crucial role in both personal and professional life, as they help convey ideas, persuade others, and create lasting impressions. By investing time and effort in honing one’s presentation skills, individuals can unlock new opportunities, foster meaningful connections, and make a significant impact on others.

If you got here, then you should reconsider my offer.

Additional Resources

If you’re still looking to improve your presentation skills, check this list on the best books for pitching.

Check out some of the essential 101 guides:

Mastering the Financial Projections Slide: Turning First Impressions into Lasting Opportunities

Creating an Impactful Traction Slide for Your Investor Pitch Deck: A Startup Guide

Mastering the Pitch Deck Solution Slide: A Startup’s Guide to Success with Slide Perfection

Mastering Your Pitch Deck Go-to-Market Slide: A Step-by-Step Guide For Startups

Pitch Deck Problem Slide: Template, Examples, Guide

The Elevator Pitch Slide | Examples, Template, Tips & Guide

Or explore more resources on presentations and pitches:

Heads Up! 11 Slide Non-Invasive Brain-Computer Interface Pitch Deck | Google Slides

The 13 Slide AI-Powered Travel Deck Template Investors Can’t Say No To | Google Slides

Seal the Deal: A 10 Slide Government Contracting Pitch Deck Template Even Bureaucrats Will Love | Google Slides

The Tesla of Pitch Decks: 11 Slide Alternative Fuel Tech Template | Google Slides

Stop Explaining Blockchain: Let This 13 Slide Decentralized Data Management Pitch Deck Template Do the Heavy Lifting | Google Slides

14 Slide Facilities Management Pitch Deck Template | Google Slides

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10 Amazing Books to Boost Your Presentation Skills

• By Mirna Šmidt
• April 5, 2023

Whether you want to gain value for your trainer’s career, you want to improve your presentation skills generally in work and life, or you are training others in their presentation skills, we have some great approaches for you to explore.

You are always invited to also train your presentation skills with us at Trainers Toolbox ( discover more here or get in touch to discuss what works best for you) (make this embedded links to pres skills workshop and to contact form) – but in the meantime, these books will give you great new ideas, tools and insights on how to create an amazing, impactful and memorable presentations.

Bring your presentations to the next level!

Structure your presentation and make it memorable

1. Chip Heath, Dan Heath: Made to Stick

Why do some ideas stick with us and others don’t? In an entertaining and eye-opening way, you will receive advice on how to make your ideas and communication more memorable.

2. Carmine Gallo: Talk Like TED

Amazing insights on the secrets of public speaking. The author interviewed to most successful TED presenters and various scientists to form the ideas that will help you succeed as a speaker.

3. Carmine Gallo: The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs

Get passionate about the possibilities of your audiences! Using Steve Jobs as an example, you will discover lively techniques of the popular presenter.

4. Scott Berkun: Confessions of a Public Speaker

Immerse in the world of great communication. Follow Berkun through 15 years of authentic experience, learning from his mistakes and understand what leads to his triumphs.

Building a clear message

5. Roger Mavity, Stephen Bayley: Life’s a Pitch

Not only in the business world but also in your private life, sharing ideas and handle human transactions is necessary and important. You agree? Explore the art of persuasion and strengthen your skills, both in your presentations and in everyday communication!

Boost your design with the help of PowerPoint, on Whiteboard, or as drawing

6. Nancy Duarte: Resonate

Build a strong connection with your audience by presenting visual stories. If you want to become a visual communicator, grab this one! It is one of the most amazing books on presentation skills - highly recommended!

7. Nancy Duarte: slide:ology

This Nancy Duarte book is focused on designing you slides, and amazes with “walking the talk” throughout the book. It is highly practical, as well as rich in inspiring examples presented in a visual way.

8. Garr Reynolds: Presentation Zen

Get ready for a new, creative and effective way you think about your presentations. Aiming for simplicity yet deep impact, this book is full of memorable lessons, but also beautiful examples how to make presentations stand out.

9. Garr Reynolds: Presentation Zen Design

Deep dive into effective PPT design, with many inspiring examples and practical tips.

10. Dan Roam: The Back of the Napkin

If you are particularly interested in whiteboarding and drawing, don’t miss this opportunity to improve your skills. It is fascinating how visual representations can help solve complex problems.

Did you know that you can train your presentation skills with us at Trainers Toolbox?

Discover more about presentation skills workshops  or get in touch to discuss how we can support you with your presentation skills development.

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Top 35 Presentation Books: Expert Ratings

Some are bad. Some are good. And some are outstanding!

We want to help you find the outstanding books — books which truly help you build your presentation skills . That’s why we publish book reviews on Six Minutes .

So, when Gonzalo Álvarez invited me to join in a survey of experts to rate a collection of the best presentation books, I was happy to participate.

This article reports the results of this survey: the top 35 books on presentations .

Analysis and Participants

From the analysis summary:

We wondered: “What do the top presentation experts in the world read?” They told us. We asked 7 of the top presentation experts in the world to tell us what books most inspired them to be better presenters. Seven judges, including four published authors, provided feedback to a list of books. We present, for your consideration, their ranked list of the top 35 presentation books.

• Survey analysis was performed by Gonzalo Álvarez and Bruce Gabrielle. Their methodology and full results can be found in the embedded document later in this article. Thanks to both of them for leading this effort!
• Nancy Duarte
• Bruce Gabrielle
• Dr. Michael Alley
• Gonzalo Alvarez
• Nolan Haims
• Andrew Dlugan  (me)

Summary of the Results

• It’s very difficult to quantitatively compare speaking books, particularly when those books excel in very different ways.
• Books were scored according to their presentation focus along several criteria (content, structure, visual design, delivery). The total of the individual scores was used to rank the books overall.
• These totals can be misleading as they reward books with a very broad focus (books that touch on many speaking skills), and penalize books with a narrow focus. As an example, books like Made to Stick or The Story Factor  (which are both excellent books which focus almost entirely on storytelling) receive low overall scores.
• Each of these two groups are listed in the tables below.
• The “Amazon Rating” column in the tables below gives the “stars” ranking and the number of reader reviews.
• Most books (27 out of 35) are priced between $14 and $28 . Four books are less than $14, and one book is over $28. Three books are no longer carried by amazon, so no price is given.
• Links to these reviews are given in the tables below.
• Most of the remaining 21 books are on my personal wishlist, so it’s quite likely you’ll be seeing reviews for some of them in the future.

Books with a Content/Delivery Focus

Books with a focus on visuals, the full ratings data.

If you do not see the embedded document below, please visit the web version of this article .

How about you? Which are your favorites?

How many of these 35 have you read? Which ones do you like most? Why? Which book(s) would you add to the list?

Please share in the comments . I’d love to hear from you.

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14 comments.

The Art of the Explanation is my favorite. It’s written by Lee LeFever. He’s got steps on how to explain complicated things and ideas so NO ONE in the audience gets left behind.

Thanks Jaime.

I love Lee LeFever’s video explanations, and am curious to read his book.

2 Done; 33 to go. Wonderful timing. I was just looking for books to improve on my presentation skills. Andrew, you just handed over me the magic wand. 🙂

Thanks Andrew. Look forward to completing these.

Oh wow, that’s quite the list. I’ll be going over this and determining which ones I need to read NOW and which ones I’ll save for later. Thanks for taking the time to put together such a great list.

The one book I have never seen written is how to develop presentations for others to give. Many times I am faced with developing a corporate or sales presentation for the sales team to give to prospects – what are the best practices for this kind of presentation?

Thank you for providing an extremely useful list. However, it’s hard for anyone to keep up with what else those authors have been doing since the listed books were published. Check before you buy. For example, Stephen M. Kosslyn’s 2010 book Better PowerPoint: Quick Fixes Based on How Your Audience Thinks might be a better choice than the 2007 Clear and to the Point. Also, this year Dave Paradi published Present It So They Get It . I liked his The Visual Slide Revolution enough to post a review of it .

I’d add Dona M. Wong’s The Wall Street Journal Guide to Information Graphics to the list of books about visuals. I reviewed it briefly here .

Thanks for the detailed comments, Richard. I’ll have to check out those books.

considero una parte esencial de la vida el leer y leer pero el decidir cual o cuales libros son los mejores es dificil. por lo que agradezco esta presentacion seis minutos un momento de informacion que engrandece nuestro pensamiento. gracias

Since i am a scientist, my favorite is the craft of scientific presentation. I guess this one was intended for presenting scientific data and conference. For design, I prefer The non designer design book. For story telling, confessions of a public speaker is excellence. I read several other book, like the zen etc, but in my opinion they are for business-type presentation

a great list, but you left out a GEM. Gail Larsen’s Transformational Speaking . Truly, the best speaking book I’ve read.

MUST- ADD ALERT! Transformational Speaking , by Gail Larsen. This book is a comprehensive and unique guide to speaking with the most authentic voice we can bring forth. Gail’s teachings have not only helped me to become a better speaker, but have also helped me name and claim personal attributes that make me a better artist, workshop leader, friend, and mother. As former leader of the National Speaker’s Association, Gail knows the speaking world well. She can give a great speech any day at any time; but what interests her is the special ability we each possess to connect with people on a deeper level, through storytelling. In her book, Gail makes the case that if we don’t honor our unique offerings by sharing them, they will be lost to the world forever. She goes on to explain that this is a critical time in our world, a time we need everyone. Calling all voices! Please add this truly transformational gift to the world to your list of bests. I have never read a book that has changed my life more!

I think this is a great list you and your team have compliled. One I would add would be Jeremy Donovon’s How To Deliver A TED Talk which is a easy read that takes the best Ted Talks and dissects them.

I just read your ratings on the 35 presentation books and I can see I have a lot of reading a head of me.

I’m writing to you to ask if you would like to write a guest blog for our website? In return we can give you access to our PowerPoint Templates database and give you some room to promote your own product.

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Business School Presenting – Especially Powerful Books for 2013! — Jan 17th, 2013

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• Majora Carter (TED, 2006) Energy, Passion, Speaking Rate
• Hans Rosling (TED, 2006) 6 Techniques to Present Data
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• Steve Jobs (Stanford, 2005) Figures of speech, rule of three
• Al Gore (TED, 2006) Humor, audience interaction
• Dick Hardt (OSCON, 2005) Lessig Method of Presentation

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10 Best Books for Presentation

Nancy Dua rte – Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform Audiences

Presentations are meant to inform, inspire, and persuade audiences. So then why do so many audiences leave feeling like they’ve wasted their time? All too often, presentations don’t resonate with the audience and move them to transformative action. Just as the author’s first book helped presenters become visual communicators, Resonate helps you make a strong connection with your audience and lead them to purposeful action. The author’s approach is simple: building a presentation today is a bit like writing a documentary. Using this approach, you’ll convey your content with passion, persuasion, and impact.Author has a proven track record, including having created the slides in Al Gore’s Oscar-winning An Inconvenient TruthFocuses on content development methodologies that are not only fundamental but will move people to actionUpends the usual paradigm by making the audience the hero and the presenter the mentorShows how to use story techniques of conflict and resolutionPresentations don’t have to be boring ordeals. You can make them fun, exciting, and full of meaning. Leave your audiences energized and ready to take action with Resonate.

Henry Boetti nger – Moving mountains: Or the Art and Craft of Letting Others See Things Your Way

The classic text on how to organize your thoughts into a logical and enjoyable presentation.

“Seek this book. I’ve read books on presentations for 40 years and [taught] public speaking across America. This is the most insightful book, in fact the very best book I’ve ever read, period. The psychological savvy into groups, the chapter on graphics and visuals, the hundreds of little tips and techniques is unmatched. His emphasis on meeting the audience’s needs is brilliant. I’ve been using Boettinger’s ideas for more than 20 years they’ve helped me earn more than a million dollars and still no author has matched his fluent style, novel-like descriptions, and breath of knowledge. Search and purchase.” – anonymous user

Kristin Arnold – Boring to Bravo: Proven Presentation Techniques to Engage, Involve, and Inspire Your Audience to Action

This book shows experienced presenters how to transform boring monologues into scintillating dialogues by employing simple yet powerful presentation techniques. It features 90-plus practical techniques for engaging and interacting with an audience. Drawing from her extensive experience as a nationally recognised speaker, the author gives readers tips that apply to any presenter. Readers will be amazed at their ability to attract, involve, and inspire by incorporating just a few of the author’s suggestions. It offers a proven methodology for upgrading any presentation. By taking a collaborative approach to the communication process, the author shows the reader how to care, connect, and converse with the members of any audience. Incoming NSA president with strong promotional platform: as the incoming president of the National Speakers Association, the author will promote the book on a nation-wide tour. An experienced team facilitator and military veteran, the author has a large platform of clients, including the Coast Guard, NASA, and the IRS. 

Chip Heath – Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die – NYT Bestseller

Why do some ideas thrive while others die? And how do we improve the chances of worthy ideas? In  Made to Stick , accomplished educators and idea collectors Chip and Dan Heath tackle head-on these vexing questions. Inside, the brothers Heath reveal the anatomy of ideas that stick and explain ways to make ideas stickier, such as applying the “human scale principle,” using the “Velcro Theory of Memory,” and creating “curiosity gaps.” In this indispensable guide, we discover that sticky messages of all kinds–from the infamous “kidney theft ring” hoax to a coach’s lessons on sportsmanship to a vision for a new product at Sony–draw their power from the same six traits. Made to Stick  is a book that will transform the way you communicate ideas. It’s a fast-paced tour of success stories (and failures)–the Nobel Prize-winning scientist who drank a glass of bacteria to prove a point about stomach ulcers; the charities who make use of “the Mother Teresa Effect”; the elementary-school teacher whose simulation actually prevented racial prejudice. Provocative, eye-opening, and often surprisingly funny,  Made to Stick  shows us the vital principles of winning ideas–and tells us how we can apply these rules to making our own messages stick.

John Medina – Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School 

See how the brain works while using it in the process of reading this book! Most of us have no idea what’s really going on inside our heads. Yet brain scientists have uncovered details every business leader, parent, and teacher should know – like that physical activity boosts your brain power.  How do we learn? What exactly do sleep and stress do to our brains? Why is multi-tasking a myth? Why is it so easy to forget – and so important to repeat new information? Is it true that men and women have different brains?

In  Brain Rules , Dr. John Medina, a molecular biologist, shares his lifelong interest in how the brain sciences might influence the way we teach our children and the way we work. In each chapter, he describes a brain rule – what scientists know for sure about how our brains work – and then offers transformative ideas for our daily lives.  Medina’s fascinating stories and sense of humour breathe life into brain science. You’ll learn why Michael Jordan was no good at baseball. You’ll peer over a surgeon’s shoulder as he proves that we have a Jennifer Aniston neuron. You’ll meet a boy who has an amazing memory for music but can’t tie his own shoes.

Nick Morgan – Give Your Speech, Change the World: How To Move Your Audience to Action

Do you remember the topic of the last speech you heard? If not, you’re not alone. In fact, studies show that audiences remember only 10% to 30% of speech or presentation content. Given those bleak statistics, why do we give speeches at all? We give them, says communications expert Nick Morgan, because they remain the most powerful way of connecting with audiences since ancient Greek times. But as we’ve evolved to a more conversational mode of public speaking, thanks to television, we have forgotten much of what the Greeks taught us about the nonverbal aspects of speech-giving: the physical connection with audiences that can create an almost palpable emotional bond. Morgan says this “kinesthetic connection” comes from truly listening to your audience—not just with your brain but with your body. In this book, he draws from more than 20 years as a speech coach and consultant, combining the best of ancient Greek oratory with modern communications research to offer a new, audience-centered approach to public speaking. Through entertaining and insightful examples, Morgan illustrates a 3 part process—focusing on content development, rehearsal, and delivery—that will enable readers of all experience levels to give more effective, passion-filled speeches that move audiences to action.

Andrew Abele – Advanced Presentations by Design: Creating Communication that Drives Action

Advanced Presentations by Design overturns much of the conventional wisdom and practice for creating presentations. Based on over 200 research studies from the fields of communication, marketing, psychology, multimedia, and law, it provides fact-based answers to critical questions about presentation design, including how to adapt your presentation to different audience personality preferences, what role your data should play and how much of it you need, how to turn your data into a story, and how to design persuasive yet comprehensible visual layouts.

Bert Decker – You’ve Got to Be Believed to Be Heard: The Complete Book of Speaking . . . in Business and in Life! 

Are you uncomfortable—even afraid—about the prospect of speaking before a group of people? Do you have trouble getting your message across? When you speak, do others listen, or can you feel their attention wandering?

Effective communication is essential in business and in everyday life. The most powerful communicators reach not just our minds but our hearts: They win our trust. You can learn to impress and persuade other people by following Bert Decker’s program in  You’ve Got to Be Believed to Be Heard .

In this revised and updated edition of his bestselling book, he distills his expertise into a fresh new approach to speaking, with examples and how-to exercises that anyone can follow. Decker rounds out the behavioral focus of the first edition to include his powerful tool to organize content. Now you can learn to create focused, listener-based messages in half the time. Spend a few evenings with this complete book of speaking, and you will discover how to win the emotional trust of others—the true basis of communicating in any situation.

Garr Reynold s – Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery

Presentation designer and internationally acclaimed communications expert Garr Reynolds, creator of the most popular Web site on presentation design and delivery on the Net — presentationzen.com — shares his experience in a provocative mix of illumination, inspiration, education, and guidance that will change the way you think about making presentations with PowerPoint or Keynote. Presentation Zen challenges the conventional wisdom of making “slide presentations” in today’s world and encourages you to think differently and more creatively about the preparation, design, and delivery of your presentations. Garr shares lessons and perspectives that draw upon practical advice from the fields of communication and business. Combining solid principles of design with the tenets of Zen simplicity, this book will help you along the path to simpler, more effective presentations.

Scott Berkun – Confessions of a Public Speaker

In this hilarious and highly practical book, author and professional speaker Scott Berkun reveals the techniques behind what great communicators do, and shows how anyone can learn to use them well. For managers and teachers — and anyone else who talks and expects someone to listen —  Confessions of a Public Speaker  provides an insider’s perspective on how to effectively present ideas to anyone. It’s a unique, entertaining, and instructional romp through the embarrassments and triumphs Scott has experienced over 15 years of speaking to crowds of all sizes.

With lively lessons and surprising confessions, you’ll get new insights into the art of persuasion — as well as teaching, learning, and performance — directly from a master of the trade.

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I’m really proud to announce that, based on a recent survey of presentation experts, Speaking PowerPoint was rated the #3 presentation book overall. See the full list of 35 books, according to presentation experts, in the SlideShare below.

The expert judges included Nancy Duarte , Bruce Gabrielle, Dr. Michael Alley, Gonzalo Alvarez , Andrew Dlugan , Nolan Haimes and Al Bonner . (And, no, I wasn’t allowed to vote on my own book 🙂 )

The judges rated books in several categories, and then overall. Top books, in their opinion, were:

Top 3 books OVERALL

• Presenting to Win , Jerry Weissman
• Moving Mountains , Henry M. Boettinger
• Speaking PowerPoint , Bruce R. Gabrielle

Top 3 books on PLANNING your presentation

• Give Your Speech, Change the World , Dr. Nick Morgan

Top 3 books on DESIGNING PowerPoint visuals

• slide:ology , Nancy Duarte
• Presentation Zen , Garr Reynolds
• Presentation Zen Design , Garr Reynolds

Top 3 books on DELIVERING your presentation

• You’ve Got to Be Believed to Be Heard , Bert Decker
• Real Leaders Don’t Do PowerPoint , Christopher Witt

Thanks to Gonzalo Álvarez Marañón, author of El Arte de Presentar , the driving force behind this study and who helped round up some impressive judges. I helped by analyzing the data and presenting it visually. I hope this turns you onto some books you hadn’t gotten around to yet.

By the way, El Arte de Presentar (the Art of Presentations) is also a pretty amazing book. It’s written in Spanish, but my daughter has been translating the book to me and I highly recommend it if you read Spanish.

About the author: Bruce Gabrielle is author of Speaking PowerPoint: the New Language of Business , showing a 12-step method for creating clearer and more persuasive PowerPoint slides for boardroom presentations. Subscribe to this blog or join my LinkedIn group to get new posts sent to your inbox.

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Wonderful list, and 12 more purchases would complete my library.

No Tufte among the design books? Hard to believe he didn’t make the cut, despite the fact he has said he hates PowerPoint.

Thanks for your comments David. Hmmm…good question about Tufte. I believe “Cognitive Style of PowerPoint” was suggested as an early candidate, then rejected as not having instructional value. Perhaps we overlooked his other books in making that decision.

Note, all of the judges were invited to submit their candidates and Tufte was not suggested by anyone else. It would be a worthy consideration should we repeat the survey in the future.

Communication skills you need at work

12 award-winning speech and presentation skill books.

12 May 2021

Why is it difficult to find good communication books?

Most people search for a topic on Amazon and browse the first few pages of results. This approach usually shows the books with the highest rankings and highest sales. Usually, these are books that everyone has heard of. Those books get more sales, which in turn keeps the book at the top of the rankings.

Unfortunately, this approach keeps a lot of great books hidden from potential buyers. There are some great titles that lie hidden on results page five and beyond.

It takes time to wade through pages of search results on Amazon. So, to save you some time, here is a list of communication books that have won major book awards in the last 10 years. Each of these books was recognized at prestigious international awards including The Axiom Business Book Awards (USA), The Business Book Awards (UK), International Book Award, IPPY, and the Eric Hoffer award.

If you want to improve your communication skills at work there are many great books to choose from. But, if you want the cream of the crop, these are the award-winners.

Award-winning communication books about speech and presentation skills

The Speaker’s Coach: 60 Secrets to Make Your Talk, Speech or Presentation Amazing Graham Shaw, (Business Book Awards 2020).

Goodbye Glossophobia: Banish Your Fear of Public Speaking Esther Stanhope, (Business Book Awards 2020).

The Busy Person’s Guide To Great Presenting: Become a Compelling, Confident Presenter. Every Time Lee Warren, (Business Book Awards 2019).

You Were Born To Speak: So What’s Holding You Back? Richard Newman (2019 Axiom Silver and Rubery award 2019 finalist).

The Leader’s Guide to Presenting: How to Use Soft Skills to Get Hard Results Tom Bird and Jeremy Cassell (Business Book Awards 2018).

Get to the point: Sharpen Your Message and Make Your Words Matter Joel Schwartzberg (IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award silver winner and 2018 Next Generation Indie award winner).

Stop Lecturing Start Communicating: The Public Speaking Survival Guide for Business Maria D. Gallo (International Book Awards 2015, finalist).

Edge Presentation: Your Guide to Trust-Based Presentations Ben A. Ratje (2015 Axiom Bronze).

Boring to Bravo: Proven Presentation Techniques to Engage, Involve, and Inspire Your Audience to Action Kristin Arnold (2012 Axiom Bronze).

Resonate: Present Visual Stories That Transform Audiences Nancy Duarte (2011 Axiom Gold).

Putting Stories to Work: Mastering Business Storytelling Shawn Callahan (2017 Axiom Gold).

The Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures Dan Roam (2009 Axiom Gold).

Disclaimer: I have read some of these books, but have not read them all (although I am working through the list at about one book a month). This list is not my personal recommendation, but they are recommended by the judges at some of the biggest book awards in the world. That alone makes them worth a look.

Affiliate links: If you buy one of these award-winning speech and presentation skill books after using the links on this page, I may earn a tiny commission from the Amazon affiliate program. This in no way influenced the inclusion of a book on this list. These are all legitimate award winners and that is the only criteria I used to put them on the list.

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Fundamental communication skills, improving technical to business communication.