Reid Buckley, Speaker:
“As a speaker, Reid Buckley is the face of Janus: he has two distinct personalities. When treating communications, rhetoric, and public speaking, he is authoritative and amusing. He can be outrageously funny. But when speaking on ethics, morals, philosophy, and public affairs, he sometimes sounds like an Old Testament prophet.
He is never else than intelligent, and he is mordant. He bites into the brainpans of his audience, saying things that no one else dares to say. Listening to him on either theme leaves an audience with much to ponder and to talk about afterwards.
There is plenty to be delighted with in this speaker, but there is no comfort zone either. If what you are looking for is a bland evening, search elsewhere.”
- Edmund Zuckerman, Director of the Permanent Ad Hoc Committee for the Abolition of Boring and Uninteresting Speakers.
I. The good Reid Buckley (on communications and public speaking):
“SEX, POWER, & PERICLES”
A short (20′) biting and controversial speech on the wellsprings and purpose of public speaking.”Inspirational and motivational. Perfect for a luncheon meeting.” - Edmund Zuckerman.
“THE DOs AND DON’Ts”
An incisive (22′) review of the cardinal sins that most professionals and executives commit as public speakers along with a table of exactly what the public speaker should do. ”Hilarious in parts…Excellent for a luncheon meeting or after a banquet.” - Edmund Zuckerman.
“OZYMANDIAS”
A longer (40′) version of “Sex, Power, & Pericles,” giving the executive and professional complete instruction in the art of public speaking. ”Challenging. One of the most spirited Q&A sessions that I ever heard…Recommended for a morning session at a convention or after a supper.” - Edmund Zuckerman.
“SLAUGHTERING THE LANGUAGE”
A (23′) dissertation on the assault and battery committed by a surprising number of professionals and executives on the English language. ”I did not myself realize that I was mispronouncing such a large number of common words, nor that there are words one SHOULD mispronounce!” - Edmund Zu
ckerman.
“A GRAB-BAG OF TIPS”
A (37′) distillation of the techniques of the forensic craft culled from Mr. Buckley’s forty years of experience in public speaking, covering almost everything necessary to the successful presentation, from its appropriate length according to the occasion, preparation of the text, the proper use of PowerPoint, correct posture, the economical and correct deployment of gestures, the way to use humor (and when not touse it), and so forth. ”A thorough instruction in all those myriad details that enter into the successful delivery of a presentation, that contribute to success or failure…an excellent choice for a morning session at a convention.” - Edmund Zuckerman.
“HOW TO START A BUSINESS IN A FOREIGN LAND AND FAIL: OR, GOOD TASTE DOESN’T SELL”
The dashing of youthful entrepreneurial aspirations ( 45′). ”Anybody who had done business in foreign parts will howl with laughter…First rate entertainment for a convention.” - Edmund Zuckerman
II. The bad Reid Buckley (on social, ethical, and philosophical issues):
“THE PATRICIAN SOUTH”
A nostalgic revisitation (25′) of the rapidly vanishing southern culture; what was distinctive about it and what, despite the South’s original sin, was admirable in it. ”Here Reid Buckley proceeds in his favorite manner, through anecdotes. The stories he tells are all amusing, often funny, deeply penetrating, some of them memorable. This talk is ideal for a luncheon or as relief from the tedium of the average business convention.” - Edmund Zuckerman.
“EDUCATION BY WHOM, FOR WHAT?”
This talk (35′) analyzes the theory, malpractices, and inversion of values that govern our educationalpractices. ”Provocative, infuriating in parts, suitable for people who take education seriously and who agree that all the curative measures so far applied to our public school system (including the 2002 educational ‘reform act’) have accomplished little. Recommended for all school boards and all meetings of the PTA.” - Edmund Zuckerman.
“ROOTS OF AMERICAN ORDER”
An analysis (35′) of the Judeo-Christian basis upon which the republic was founded and absent which the United States becomes intellectually incoherent. ”A brilliant re-examination of our founding as a nation. This talk is excellent for an evening devoted to serious study of the American experience.”- Edmund Zuckerman.
“THE REVIVAL OF ROYALISM”
A scathing analysis (25′) of the groveling hunger for a monarch in the American people. ”This talk is amusing throughout; it is also a stinging examination of disturbing trends in American political attitudes. A good choice for a luncheon or evening banquet.” - Edmund Zuckerman.
“SEX THE AMERICAN WAY: THE AGE OF THE SLUT”
A highly controversial and polemical discussion (40′) on the wastes of the sexual revolution, and the damage it has done to women. ”Not many speakers can hold forth so entertainingly yet so blisteringly about a subject that is calculated to raise the hackles of almost everyone in the audience. Reid Buckley has a talent for keeping people on the edge of their seats, giving his audiences plenty to think and talk about when the performance is over. Warning: Recommended for the sophisticated audience only.” - Edmund Zuckerman.
“CIVILITY, HEARTLESSNESS, HORROR”
A tense, terrible, at times excruciating examination (40′) of how the decline in civility in this country and elsewhere leads ineluctably to violence. ”This is a gripping treatment of a subject that begs for attention. We have become a nation of boors…and Reid Buckley makes the controversial point that boorishness leads ineluctably to insensitivity, lack of compassion…terrorism.” - Edmund Zuckerman.
“RELIGION IN AMERICA”
A dose of reality (40′) that gives little comfort to those who assume that we remain a churchgoing public.”Reid Buckley pulls no punches. What he says will shock many audiences…the U. S. is in reality a pagan culture, he claims.” - Edmund Zuckerman.
Typical reactions to Reid Buckley as a speaker:
“An outstanding orator, very passionate.”
“Very thought provoking and entertaining. An excellent speaker!”
“Ingenious!”
“Pertinent, revealing, sobering.”
- Audience comments after hearing Reid Buckley at Callahan & Associates Master’s Executive Conference.