Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Podium: The Speaker's Complete Guide to Great Jokes, Anecdotes and Stories by Herbert Victor Prochnow

Synopsis

Good communication is a skill that can be refined. Writers and public speakers are always looking for ways to add sparkle to their speeches and introductions. Even conversations can be made more lively by adding humor or a memorable quote to emphasize a point or idea so it will not be forgotten.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Podium is the perfect tool for polishing your communication skills. Over 2,000 jokes, anecdotes, and stories will provide humor, clarify a speech or conversation, or add inspiration to a speech. The epigrams, literary quotations, anecdotes from biographies, humorous stories, inspiring illustrations, and interesting facts and ideas enhance general discussions and informal meetings, and help present ideas colorfully and effectively. Included are:

• George Bernard Shaw's definition of a businessman: The man to whom age brings golf instead of wisdom.
• Mark Twain's definition of a classic: A book which people praise and don't read.
• The Wall Street Journal's definition of a desk: A waste basket with drawers.
• Oscar Wilde on biographers: Every great man nowadays has his disciples and it is always Judas who writes the biography.
• Katharine Hepburn on the truth: I don't care what is written about me so long as it isn't true.
• Golda Meir on humility: Don't be humble. You're not that great

Biography

Herbert V. Prochnow is the author and editor of over 40 books, including the bestselling The Public Speaker's Treasure Chest (HarperCollins).