Khrushchev's Shoe

Book excerpt: During an impassioned address to the U.N. General Assembly, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, irritated by the indifference of his audience, astounded his peers by taking off his shoe and pounding it vigorously on the podium. His indelible gesture not only captured the attention of the audience, but it also transformed their lack of interest into outrage.In Khrushchev's Shoe, Roy Underhill recounts this incident and offers dozens of other stories to illustrate how our efforts to engage an audience can make or break a presentation. With pointers that show you how to bring the intimacy of small-group interaction to every event, Khrushchev's Shoe reveals the principles that make interaction both more meaningful and more enjoyable. Filled with wit and insight, this thoughtful guide will seize readers' interest from start to finish because it practices what it preaches--it engages the readers' intelligence and rewards it generously.