POWER AND PERSUASION

by John Franklin Carter ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

The author, who has ghosted many a political speech for both Democrats and Republicans, has written an interesting treatise on the art of politics, which, in our democratic society, is by necessity closely allied to the art of persuasion. Mr. Carter believes that the key to politics is the struggle to gain and hold power, and as a speech-writer, he has had ample opportunity to study the ways and means of his various employers and to see where they have succeeded or failed. The result is a cross between a handbook on political speech-writing and a manual on correct behavior for the aspiring politician. The author goes into considerable detail in examining the anatomy of the political address. The first and second parts of the book take up the speech as the basic tool of politics and describe the mechanical aspects of getting speeches written and listened to these days. The third part of the book examines the ingredients of the successful political address, reducing the substance, more or less, to a universal formula, which can be applied by any astute politician. Part four, entitled ""Political Logistics"", is a kind of pot-pourri of do's, and don'ts for the office seeker. Mr. Carter advises his candidate not to use sex or religion as areas of attack; too often the arguments and accusations have backfired. In the last part of the book Mr. Carter examines other means of persuasion than speech-making which various world politicians have employed. The conclusion is that speech-making is by far the healthier way for the politician as well as the public.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Duell, Sloan & Pearce

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1960

Categories: NONFICTION