BOOK REVIEW: How To Develop Self-confidence And Influence People By Public Speaking (Dale Carnegie)

Title: How to develop self-confidence and influence people by Public Speaking
Author: Dale Carnegie
Number of Chapters: Twelve
Number of Pages: 256
Publisher: Vermilion 
Place of Publication: London
Date of Publication: 1998(Revised Edition)
Reviewer: Aanu Oyedele



For many years, Dale Carnegie's name is very synonymous with winning friends and influencing people and the book has actually brought him into the limelight of authors who have a strong message to pass across. Nonetheless, there have been many publications before and after the aforementioned book and one of them is how to develop self-confidence and influence people by public speaking. As a speaker who has a strong message to pass across, he or she has to master the art of speaking and guess what, I must let you understand that this book has the ingredients to make your dream comes through as it has the right information needed by every aspiring and also professional speaker.


As said earlier, it should be noted that this book creates a new perspective about public speaking. Most people shy away from speaking due to certain reasons widely known to people "lack of courage, confidence and preparation". Many speeches have failed all because they lack power to stir the audience. A story was shared by the author about one Dr. Curtis who was a Brooklyn physician but spent the winter in Florida where the training grounds of the giants was. Been a faithful supporter, he was invited to attend a banquet given in their honour.
  Dr. Curtis was called upon to share a few thoughts on health with the audience. We could say that it was an impromptu speech. He stood up and there was a noise in the hall, he had to walk away because he didn't have the confidence. This is perfectly applicable to some people as well.
  Mr. Carnegie pinpointed four ways of which one can be a good speaker and they are as follows;

1. Start with a strong and persistent desire.

The author made it known that " if your desire is pale and flabby, your achievements will also take on that hue and consistency"

2. Know thoroughly what you are going to talk about

Mr. Carnegie asserted that "unless a person has thought out and planned his talk and knows what he is going to say, he can't feel very comfortable when he faces his auditors(audience)

3. Act Confidently

To develop courage when facing an audience, act as if you already had it but unless you are prepared, all the acting in the world will avail but little.

4. Practice! Practice! Practice!

The first way, the last way, the never-failing way to develop self-confidence in speaking is to speak.

Nonetheless, the author analyzed how great speakers prepared their respective speeches. Speakers like Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Disraeli, Thomas Jefferson, Woodrow Wilson, Theodore Roosevelt, among others and this eventually in turn made it possible for speakers to learn more on the art of speaking.

While reading through, I understood the following;

• Do not speak to others about what you've not digested

• Do not speak until you are sure of what to say.

• Audience are drawn to a speaker who has a real message in his head and heart.

• As a speaker, knowing far more than you can use gives you a reseved power, force and confidence.


There are a lot of things i have learnt while reading this great book. I do not know what you are aspiring to be but if you decide to be a speaker in any form, I'll surely recommend this book for your success in speaking business.

With what I have digested, I'll give the book a rank of 10 over 10!!!

Check the bookstore to get your copy or search for it via the internet