Here is an alphabetical list, grouped by category of the best presentation books on my bookshelves. For more up-to-date online resources, check out our Other Great Websites and our Free Stuff!
Basic Presentation Skills
Paid to Speak
by National Speakers Association, 2011. A compendium of best practices to set you on the road to success as a professional speaker!
Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform Audiences
by Nancy Duarte
Public Speaking for Success
by Dale Carnegie and Arthur Pell, Penguin Books, 2005
This is the bible for public speaking.
How to Write and Give a Speech, Second Revised Edition: A Practical Guide For Executives, PR People, the Military, Fund-Raisers, Politicians, Educators, and Anyone Who Has to Make Every Word Count
by Joan Detz, St. Martins Griffin, 2002
Joan gives step-by-step instructions to create an effective presentation.
Speaking is an Audience-Centered Sport
by Marjorie Brody, Career Skills Press, 1998
An excellent primer on speaking to audiences large and small.
The Exceptional Presenter: A Proven Formula to Open Up and Own the Room
by Timothy J. Koegel, Greenleaf Book Group, 2007
A good, solid foundation in presentation basics.
I Can See You Naked
by Ron Hoff, Andrews and McMeel, 1992
An enjoyable read that covers the do’s and don’ts in a humorous way.
Engagement and Interaction
Give Your Speech, Change the World: How to Move Your Audience to Action
by Nick Morgan, Harvard Business Press, 2005
In my opinion, one of the best books on having an engaging mindset and being focused on the audience.
Wake ‘em Up! How to Use Humor & Other Professional Techniques to Create Alarmingly Good Business Presentations
by Tom Antion, Anchor Publishing, 1997
Great book full of ideas and examples.
Instant Trainer
by C. Leslie Charles and Chris Clarke-Epstein, McGraw-Hill, 1997
Although focused on the trainer, Leslie and Chris pack in lots of interactive ideas. Again, it’s focused on the trainer, but feel free to glean any ideas into your presentations.
Models
The Power of the 2 x 2 Matrix: Using 2×2 Thinking to Solve Business Problems and Make Better Decisions (Jossey Bass Business and Management Series)
by Alex Lowy and Phil Hood, Jossey-Bass/Wiley, 2004
Has over 50 classic models for strategic, organizational, and personal decision making.
PowerPoint
The Naked Presenter: Delivering Powerful Presentations With or Without Slides (Voices That Matter)
by Garr Reynolds
slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations
Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery
by Garr Renolds, New Riders Press, 2008
The Visual Slide Revolution
by Dave Paradi, Communications Skills Press, 2000
Questions
Making Questions Work: A Guide to How and What to Ask for Facilitators, Consultants, Managers, Coaches, and Educators
by Dorothy Strachan, Jossey-Bass/Wiley, 2006
One of the best books on using questions effectively.
75 Cage Rattling Questions to Change the Way You Work: Shake-Em-Up Questions to Open Meetings, Ignite Discussion, and Spark Creativity
by Dick Whitney and Melissa Giovagnoli, McGraw-Hill, 1997
One of my favorite books to shake up my thinking on asking a great, provocative question.
Brave Questions: Building stronger relationships by asking all the right questions
by Alan R. Zimmerman, Zimmerman Communi-Care Network, Inc., 2003
One of my favorite books to shake up my thinking on asking a great, provocative question.
The Conversation Piece Collection (Includes The Conversation Piece, The Mom&Dad Conversation Piece, and The Christmas Conversation Piece)
by Bret Nicholaus and Paul Lowrie, Ballantine Books, 1992
One of my favorite books to shake up my thinking on asking a great, provocative question.
Humor
Don’t Let the Funny Stuff Get Away
by Jeanne Robertson, CPAE, CSP
Jeanne is not only humerous, but she shares her process on finding humor in the world around us.
Stories
The Leader’s Guide to Storytelling: Mastering the Art and Discipline of Business Narrative
by Stephen Denning, Jossey-Bass/Wiley, 2005
A must read for anyone needing to tell a story within a corporate setting.
Eloquence in Public Speaking: How to Set Your Words on Fire
by Kenneth McFarland, Prentice-Hall, 1961
Written by one of the most eloquent professional speakers in the U.S. You won’t be able to put this book down.
Games
The Complete Games Trainers Play: Experiential Learning Exercises (V. 2: the Games Trainers Play Series)
by Ed Scannell
There are dozens (if not hundreds) of books on icebreakers, warm-ups, team activities, games, etc. that may inspire you to try something different. All of Ed Scannell’s books in the Games Trainers Play series, The Big Book of Team Building Games, and the Big Book of Business Games.
90 World-Class Activities by 90 World-Class Trainers
edited by Elaine Biech, Jossey-Bass Pfeiffer, 2007
I contributed to this book.
The Pfeiffer Book of Successful Team-Building Tools: Best of the Annuals (Essential Tools Resource)
edited by Elaine Biech, Jossey-Bass/Pfeiffer, 2001
I contributed to this book.
Team Energizers: Fifty Practical Team Activities (The Extraordinary Team)
by Kristin Arnold, QPC Press, 2003
50 practical team activities that I have personally used during a facilitated session.
Facilitation
The IAF Handbook of Group Facilitation: Best Practices from the Leading Organization in Facilitation (J-B International Association of Facilitators)
A compendium of different competencies, skills, tools, and techniques of seasoned, professional facilitators such as myself. Check out my chapter (#28) on How to Build Your Expertise in Facilitation.
Facilitator’s Guide to Participatory Decision-Making (Jossey-Bass Business & Management)
by Sam Kaner, New Society Publishers, 1996
One of the founding fathers of facilitation, Sam’s book is a classic — visually appealing and highly useful.
Facilitating with Ease!, with CD: Core Skills for Facilitators, Team Leaders and Members, Managers, Consultants, and Trainers
by Ingrid Bens, Jossey-Bass, 2000
A basic primer on facilitation. All of Ingrid’s work is full of practical tools and techniques.
The Skilled Facilitator: A Comprehensive Resource for Consultants, Facilitators, Managers, Trainers, and Coaches
by Roger Schwarz, Jossey-Bass, 1994
This is the bible of facilitation. A little academic and esoteric at times, but well worth the read.
Team Basics
by Kristin Arnold, QPC Press, 1999
My very first book and, as the title implies, a basic book about how to be a great team!
Professional Speaking
Paid to Speak
by National Speakers Association, 2011. A compendium of best practices to set you on the road to success as a professional speaker!
