How to Win an Argument

An Ancient Guide to the Art of Persuasion

By: Marcus Tullius Cicero, James May

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 3 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

All of us are faced countless times with the challenge of persuading others, whether we're trying to win a trivial argument with a friend or convince our coworkers about an important decision. Instead of relying on untrained instinct - and often failing as a result - we'd win more arguments if we learned the timeless art of verbal persuasion, or rhetoric. How to Win an Argument gathers the rhetorical wisdom of Cicero from across his works and combines it with passages from his legal and political speeches to show his powerful techniques in action. The result is an enlightening and practical introduction to the secrets of persuasive speaking and writing - including strategies that are just as effective in today's offices, schools, courts, and political debates as they were in the Roman forum.

How to Win an Argument addresses proof based on rational argumentation, character, and emotion; the parts of speech; the plain, middle, and grand styles; how to persuade no matter what audience or circumstances you face; and more. Astonishingly relevant, this anthology of Cicero's rhetorical and oratorical wisdom will be enjoyed by anyone who ever needs to win arguments and influence people.

©2016 Princeton University Press (P)2016 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

I will read this.

I hope to find time to study this.
For use in every day life. Very good read!

hard to follow

Call me stupid, I don't care. I had an extremely difficult time following this book due to the narration, and keeping with the storyline due to the names.

Great book on oratory

This was a great book on oratory, and would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about the art of persuasion. The book is set up as a collection of actionable tips and outlines the steps needed to become a world class speaker.

Mix of Cicero and May

This is a work of May that focuses on Cicero, rather than just a translation of Cicero. It does a good job of the title, but I was looking for just Cicero

A classic breakdown

Fantastic overview of ancient wisdom, clearly categorized by the needs of the subject matter. Not a long read, but worth digesting at least once.

Worth everyone's time

I think some of this can easily be overlooked and taken for granted. I suggest those on the fence give it a try and try and consume it in one focused setting.

It reads as an introduction …

without development and ended rather abruptly, right when the author got to the point. weird…

Narrator Fails to Distinguish Between Speakers

For starters, I thought this was going to be mostly Cicero with a smattering of James May, but it's really May's "how to" business book illustrating points with Cicero.

Or at least I think so, because the sort of "high Shakespearean delivery" of the narrator never varies to signal which of the two is speaking - a gross shortcoming. (Pity the narrator, the better, the more invisible). Presumably the printed text manages this distinction typographically. Citations for the Cicero don't help as either, as they don't introduce his speeches where they'd help but only identify them at their conclusion.

I found myself missing a lot but figured I'd listen a second time. Until, that is, I realized what was going on and concluded I didn't need to repeat the aggravation.

Fun to listen

It"s really good book, however it"s only shows you the way never the technique of argument.

Skilled blending of classic and modern thought

An effective introduction (or reintroduction for some) to Cicero’s life and works. James May’s translation is excellent, and he very effectively weaves interesting introductions throughout selected excerpts from Cicero’s works. This material starts with a brief biography of Cicero, and thereafter adds meaningful context to Cicero’s writings. A concise and fun way to experience some wisdom of the ancients. Narrated perfectly by Simon Vance.