Speak Without Fear.

• Author: Kreyche, Gerald F.
• Position: By Ivy Naistatdt - Book Review

SPEAK WITHOUT FEAR

BY IVY NAISTADT HARPERRESOURCE, 2004 211 PAGES, $24.95

Ever get the jitters when asked to get up before an audience to give a speech, or even present an award? You are not alone and, in our participatory democracy, the chances are you will be called upon. You may have to address the local Rotary Club or Kiwanis, or perhaps some church organization. You may be asked to emcee a wedding or give a eulogy at a funeral. Then, too, you could be directed by the boss to explain a new program to the employees, etc. With many people, stage fright takes over in these situations and they die a thousand deaths.

This book could be your Bible as it addresses the problem of stage fright and other difficulties connected with public speaking. It reminded me of Speech 10 when I was in college.

Author Ivy Naistadt knows whereof she speaks, if you don't mind a pun. She started her professional life as a stage actress, singer, and sometimes dancer on Broadway. Literally, she knew stage fright firsthand and delved into its causes, and then shared this knowledge with others, eventually becoming a speech consultant these past 15 years. Her clients include IBM, The New York Times, Hershey, etc.

While only a few can deliver spell-binding talks like Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, John F. Kennedy, or Martin Luther King, nearly everyone can become a competent speaker, perhaps even a Ralph Kramden! One should note that, even when a speaker has a terrible delivery, he or she still can hold the audience by the content of the presentation. As a speaker, Henry Kissinger was as exciting as watching the grass grow, but everyone listened, for he had something to say.

You might recognize yourself as one of the following types of neophyte speakers. There is the Avoider, who will do anything to get out of being dragged to the podium. The Anticipator is a worrywart who continually is revising the text to make it "better." Those who get so pumped up that they are out of breath by the time they reach the stage are called Adrenalin people. Lastly, we all recognize the Improvisor, whose spontaneity fails in the clutch, and there are the...