Thank You for Arguing, Third Edition: Unlocking the Secrets of Persuasion with Aristotle, Lincoln, and Homer Simpson

Xjjw: Excellent

United States on Jul 01, 2023

Sandra Mainou: Es un excelente libro, lo recomiendo porque muchas de las cosas se pueden aplicar de inmediato

Mexico on Feb 12, 2020

Adam: I am a practicing Computer Engineer who was educated in the era when Computer Engineering was still called Electrical Engineering. Suffice it to say, I am well versed in Formal Logic (from an engineering, not philosophy perspective) but am not formally trained in Rhetoric. Any training I had in persuasive writing was long ago and is long since forgotten. I am also, generally speaking, a reader for utility, not for pleasure. This is my first review of a book (or anything for that matter) on Amazon.

With this perspective established, I will say that I found myself educated, entertained, compelled and persuaded by this book. Not the avid book reader, I read this in two days, two sittings. And, I am now writing this review,... at 3:41am on a work day. Compelled indeed! The fact that I found it persuasive is the strongest evidence of value given it's purpose. I also recognize that it will serve as a valuable reference in my attempts to persuade going forward. Now, I should say that although I do not agree with all of the arguments the author makes whilst explaining the art of argument, I do appreciate his perspective. I feel he does short change formal logic, but that may be due...

United States on Jan 06, 2020

rosegold: fun to read. best to read in small intervals to take in the advise.

Canada on Oct 15, 2019

Older Mom: This is one all students of writing should read!

Germany on Oct 12, 2019

That Dude: You will learn a lot. My guarantee.

United Kingdom on Sep 29, 2019

nobel: Going in blind was quite the experience. I had expected a typical monotonous text full of only facts and logic that didn't cater to a teenager's attention span. However, this book quickly intrigued me when it not only took an effort to keep my attention, it also included pop culture references that made me feel more connected to the information. It made the great Rhetoricians feel more human and fleshed out instead of simply giving them blind praise. The author took great notice to also include lots of personal stories about him, his family and coworkers that made me feel as if the author's purpose wasn't just to inform but to entertain as well. I found this book to be an amazing stepping stone in my path to total manipula- I mean, persuasion of anyone I would happen to be arguing with, and I would highly reccomend it to anyone who may feel a bit of persuasion may be needed in their life.

United States on Aug 20, 2019

S. Snipes: The book covers an interesting topic, rhetoric, but by someone who seems not so great at applying it, nor with much life experience. All the content is drawn instead from the knowledge of others, such as Greek and Roman writers, rather than someone who tries to convince people for a living

Italy on Sep 23, 2018

David Austin: I have been utilizing this book for my college speech course for the last 2 years. The students sit in a circle and discuss 2 or 3 chapters (depending on the length). Since I have 30 students and there are 30 chapters, each student is assigned a chapter and are the experts on the chapter--they teach what they learned. Also, the student prepares 2 or 3 discussion questions for students to generate discussion. It is an effective way to teach. I empower them to teach each other and every day amazing things happen in the classroom. It is an enjoyable experience to walk into a classroom and have students excited to discuss the readings and participate in the class discussion readily. The book makes my teaching easy. The examples in the book allows us to have discussions on deeper topics of race, inequity, gun control, the me too movement, politics, religion and so much more. My students tell me that it is one of the only books they have actually read cover to cover. In fact, some students begin reading it again after we finish to get a deeper understanding of the material. As a college professor, I can tell you this never happens in other courses with textbooks.

United States on Mar 21, 2018

Cole Christensen: There's a fuzzy line between arguing and manipulation and that line is sometimes crossed here.

Have you ever noticed someone talking to you and clearly but subtly trying to manipulate you? It's slightly annoying and comes off as disingenuous, which the best rhetoric shouldn't be at all. You get the sense that the author is trying to use his occasionally slightly manipulative tricks on you and it as well as the cultural references come off as a little bit tacky. It's a good book nonetheless.

I'd like to find a better book about rhetoric that comes at it with slightly more decorum and respect.

United States on Oct 10, 2017