Language Intelligence

Lessons on Persuasion from Jesus, Shakespeare, Lincoln, and Lady Gaga

By: Joseph J. Romm

Narrated by: Drew Birdseye

Length: 4 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

Joseph Romm, one of Rolling Stone magazine’s top "100 Agents of Change", has focused his talents on helping us all to increase our language intelligence and to better understand the art of persuasion.

Romm demonstrates that you don't have to be an expert to vastly improve your ability to communicate. He has pulled together the secrets of the greatest communicators in history to show how you can apply these tools to your writing, speaking, blogging - even your Tweeting. The book also looks at the language intelligence of President Obama and Governor Romney.

Nothing could be more relevant in 2012 as Americans prepare to make vital choices following the elections. Language Intelligence will not only prepare you to be a much more memorable and persuasive communicator, it will also help you to understand the tricks of the trade used and misused by candidates on the stump.

With a few easily digestible and memorable concepts, Language Intelligence also offers listeners an indispensable roadmap for today’s political and pop culture landscape.

"For anyone who seeks to understand why Lady Gaga’s music has become a global phenomena or how to avoid ‘Etch-A-Sketch’ moments, this book is for you," said Romm.

©2012 Joseph J. Romm (P)2012 Podium Publishing

Critic reviews

"This book changed my life, and it can change yours, too. Joe Romm understands the secrets of persuasion and messaging and he has distilled them into this must-read book." (Van Jones, president, Rebuild the Dream)

"Joe Romm is one of the best communicators we have. This book is the essential handbook for anyone who wants to be more effective or more persuasive." (Bill McKibben, founder, 350.org)

For anyone who must convince anyone of anything!

If you could sum up Language Intelligence in three words, what would they be?

Informative, useful, interesting.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Shakespeare, for creating so many favorite characters of his own.

What does Drew Birdseye bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

An intelligent voice, with emphasis in all the right places.

What insight do you think you’ll apply from Language Intelligence?

I will strive to tell the story of my non-profit as an extended metaphor, using simple words, and repeat the mission/vision often while I paint a bright picture of the future that donors will bring about.

Any additional comments?

This is a great book for anyone who needs to convince anyone of anything, which means, for all of us! I didn't realize the common threads that run through the works of Shakespeare, Lincoln, the King James version of the Bible and lyrics from some of my favorite modern songwriters, and, knowing what those threads are, how to apply them to my own work and my own life. Dr. Romm's incites will be incredibly helpful to anyone who needs to write headlines, tweets, and stories to compel people to action. I highly recommend this book to all who want to be noticed and heard, and all who want to understand how others may compel you to act or feel a certain way through the skilled use of rhetoric.

More on rhetoric

Worth a listen to but it will not necessarily change your life. Well presented, well thought out and basically a good book to reinforce your knowledge and skill in rhetoric.

Superb, Awesome, Incredible! yes, all those Words

Any additional comments?

The writer has done an incredible job of presenting an array of techniques used "behind the scenes" to channel our thoughts and actions into the direction that the "hidden" director has chosen. All the while, we think we are intelligently and thoughtfully making our 'own' decisions.

Politically Biased, But Good Information

It's pretty clear that Romm has an axe to grind against the political right and especially against those who don't believe in climate change. It's his stock in trade, which he points out.

Looking beyond that, however, it's clear he's studied both the messages and the messengers to the point where he has weaponized the methods of rhetoric. The information comes at the reader hard and fast, but it's solid and instantly usable by anyone looking to improve their oratory capabilities.

Liberal Propaganda

Any additional comments?

Had to stop listening. Couldn't take any more of the authors liberal propaganda on global warming and his other personal opinions about an array of issues other than what the book is supposed to be about.

All about proving the mythe of Global Warming.

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

If it were about what the title implied.

Would you ever listen to anything by Joseph J. Romm again?

No

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Drew Birdseye?

Narrator was fine... even good.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Some good content but mostly the book was an opportunity to create as many global warming metaphors as possible.

Any additional comments?

No