Win Every Argument: The Art of Debating, Persuading and Public Speaking
By Mehdi Hasan
Henry Holt & Co
ISBN: 978-1250853479
336pp.

In 1933, in an essay lamenting the rise of the Nazis, British philosopher Bertrand Russel paraphrased lines from Irish poet W.B. Yeats’ famous 1920 poem ‘The Second Coming’ by saying “The fundamental cause of the trouble is that in the modern world the stupid are cocksure, while the intelligent are full of doubt.”

To test the sustainability of this quote in the 21st century, one only has to cast an eye on the narratives, theories, debates and speeches — apart from the daily drip-drip of half-baked opinions — that are regularly foisted on the world. Voicing dissent with the majority view often opens up a hornet’s nest.

No wonder then that people who possess common sense, which French writer Voltaire says is not so common, have taken refuge in silence and detachment, to avoid disagreements and moronic attacks.

Not so fast, says Mehdi Hasan, the British American broadcaster, political commentator, columnist and author. Renowned for his no-holds-barred interviews of politicians, pundits and policy makers, Hasan posits that arguments and debates are the very lifeblood of democracy. They shine a spotlight on the truth, broaden the canvas of our minds and bring in fresh new ideas. The problem is that our skills at winning arguments, polishing speeches and persuading audiences need to be promptly upgraded.

Media personality Mehdi Hasan delves into the history of the art of persuasion through history and brings his own........

© Dawn (Magazines)