You Talkin' To Me?: Rhetoric from Aristotle to Obama - Hardcover

Sam Leith

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1846683157 ISBN 13: 9781846683152

Publisher: Profile Books, 2011

Synopsis

Rhetoric is what gives words power. It's nothing to be afraid of. It isn't the exclusive preserve of politicians: it's everywhere, from your argument with the insurance company to your plea to the waitress for a table near the window. It convicts criminals (and then frees them on appeal). It causes governments to rise and fall, best men to be shunned by brides, and people to march with steady purpose towards machine guns.

In this highly entertaining (and persuasive) book, Sam Leith examines how people have taught, practised and thought about rhetoric from its Attic origins to its twenty-first century apotheosis. Along the way, he tells the stories of its heroes and villains, from Cicero and Erasmus, to Hitler, Obama - and Gyles Brandreth.

About this title

About the Author

Sam Leith is a former Literary Editor of the Daily Telegraph, and contributes regularly to the Evening Standard, Guardian, Wall Street Journal, Spectator and Prospect. He's the author of two nonfiction books: Dead Pets and Sod's Law and a novel, The Coincidence Engine.

Edition details

• Publisher: Profile Books
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1846683157
• ISBN 13: 9781846683152
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 304