Thank You For Arguing: What Aristotle, Lincoln, And Homer Simpson Can Teach Us About the Art of Persuasion

Thank You For Arguing: What Aristotle, Lincoln, And Homer Simpson Can Teach Us About the Art of Persuasion cover
Good Books rating 4.2
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  • ID: 10370
  • Added: 2026-01-24
  • Updated: 2026-01-27
  • ISBN: 9780141918792
  • Publisher: Penguin UK
  • Published: 2008-01-31
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Thank You for Arguing is a book that delves into the art and science of rhetoric, teaching readers how to persuade and argue effectively. Using contemporary examples ranging from pop culture to historical events, Jay Heinrichs illustrates classical rhetorical strategies and shows how they can be applied in everyday life. From avoiding a speeding ticket to understanding the difference between an argument and a fight, this book is not just entertaining but also incredibly useful. It equips readers with the skills to recognize and use persuasive techniques, making it a highly enjoyable and practical read. The book covers a wide range of topics, from Cicero's secrets for moving an audience to Honest Abe's Shameless Trick. It also explores the tactics of Monty Python, Yoda, and Queen Victoria, among others. Whether you're looking to improve your argumentative skills or simply enjoy a highly engaging read, Thank You for Arguing offers valuable insights and practical advice.

Reviews
Audible · 2026-01-24
enlightening 4.40

The book is warm, witty, and erudite, offering truly enlightening insights into persuasive language techniques.

The reviewer describes the book as warm, witty, and erudite, highlighting its ability to teach readers how to recognize and wield persuasive language techniques effectively. They find the book truly enlightening, making it a valuable resource for anyone looking to influence others through the art of persuasion. The reviewer appreciates the book's engaging style and the depth of its insights.


Quick quotes

    Warm, witty, erudite, and truly enlightening, it not only teaches you how to recognize a paralipsis when you hear it,

    but also how to wield the weapons of ...

    This book teaches you how to recognize and wield persuasive language techniques, from classic strategies to modern methods, to effectively influence others in ...

The StoryGraph · 2026-01-24
comprehensive 3.80

It is a comprehensive and useful primer on rhetoric, though it felt like the writer could have delved deeper into certain aspects.

The reviewer finds the book to be a good and quite comprehensive primer on how to become more persuasive through the art of rhetoric. They appreciate its usefulness but feel that the writer could have explored some topics in more depth. Overall, they find the book to be a valuable resource for understanding and applying rhetorical techniques.


Quick quotes

    A modern primer on how to become more persuasive through the art of rhetoric.

    It's good, quite comprehensive, and useful, but it felt to me like the writer was ...

    It is the PERFECT book about argument; it's funny, persuasive, and makes a potentially dry subject endlessly entertaining.

Amazon · 2026-01-24
entertaining 4.40

The writing style is engaging and humorous, drawing from personal anecdotes and well-known examples. It makes the art of rhetoric accessible and entertaining.

The reviewer praises the author's engaging and humorous writing style, which effectively draws from personal situations and more infamous examples to illustrate points. They appreciate how the book makes the potentially dry subject of rhetoric accessible and entertaining, making it a delightful read. The reviewer also highlights the amusing asides that poke fun at the author's own experiences, adding to the overall enjoyment of the book.


Quick quotes

    Jay writes with a really engaging style that draws upon some of his personal situations, as well more infamous examples.

    His amusing asides poke fun at his own ...

    It's good, quite comprehensive, and useful.