Book description
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. "'Reading this book is
the equivalent of lounging in a leather club armchair, wreathed in cigar
smoke and a couple of whiskies down, alongside a companion who's being
funny and clever about Homer and Hello! magazine by turns.' (Charlotte
Higgins, Guardian) 'Entertaining... You finish this book more than ready
to rock a first in rhetoric.' (Hermione Eyre, Evening Standard) 'This is
the best available analysis' (Boris Johnson)" 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.
