We habitually live and move as part of a group and participate with others in common matters, and socially, politically or business-wise are required from time to time to make ourselves heard. The better a man makes himself heard, the more he is heeded. The man capable of expressing his ideas clearly commands the attention of Management and the Board of Directors. As one of these gregarians you also are apt at some time to be called upon to tell an audience your name or your line, or to introduce a fellow human at a meeting. With social progress you could eventually become Program Chairman, Toastmaster, preside as President, or even be the person referred to when someone else says, "I'm proud to present and you'll be happy to hear Mr. Narrator, our principal speaker today." Every day of every week from lobster luncheons in Maine to sand dab dinners in San Diego, luncheon groups, dinner forums, supper clubs and countless legions and lodges hold regular meetings. Most of them feature individuals who must know something about the cardinal fundamentals of public speaking. How to present an idea interestingly is the elusive goal of many but the coveted secret of few. Yet it's an ability within the reach of all of us to add wit and sparkle to our talk. Some people are blessed with perfect timing, in tune with every passing phase and sufficiently well adjusted to meet the fluctuations of fate. These fortunate few require no help, but most of us need a prop, a pitch-pipe, a ready reference, and for these this handbook hopes to be helpful. We hope you also will find that this book is factual and thorough without sacrificing readability; find it entertaining while informative, and find that it answers questions which plague anyone who must express himself publicly. The combination of fact and fancy in this work adds up to an inspirational source book for speakers and writers, ad men and gag men, comedians and campaigners. It aims as well to help Governors and governed; Mr. Big and Mr. Little, bosses and the bossed, politicians and the public (in fact, anyone who'll buy the book), and to add spark to any speeches. A final chapter is reserved for "rookie" raconteurs. It embodies a summary of years the author spent in swapping windies with Westerners and tall tales with Texans, and assembling stories from many walks of life and applying humor to human events