If you'd rather place an order by talking to one of our cheerful order desk clerks, please call 1-888-232-4444 (USA and Canada only) or 250-383-6864. From Europe, ring our UK order desk clerk at local rate number 0845 230 9601 (UK only) or 44 (0)1865 722 113.

The Progressive's Pocketbook of Persuasion: A Toolkit For Reaching American Voters

by Courtney Dillard, Ph.D.

180 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #06-1246; ISBN 1-4120-9491-7; US$16.95, C$19.00, EUR13.57, £9.50

The Progressive's Pocketbook of Persuasion is designed to equip Democrats with the key persuasive tools they need to regain control of the national conversation and retake the political reins of our country.

Read more!

About the Book

About the Author

Excerpts

About the Book

November 2nd, 2004- 11:45 PM PST: We lost. There were no WMDs, the budget surplus was replaced by the largest deficit the country had ever seen, the economy was unstable with jobs being shipped overseas, and the Republican candidate was vulnerable to critique on many fronts. But we lost. As the shock of our failure wears of and Democrats attempt to chart a bold new direction, we need to be brave enough to assess why we lost and strong enough to accept the answer. In the end, we lost because we couldn't talk the talk. Our messages are often out of synch with the way average Americans think and make decisions. Our messages do not resonate. They do not inspire. In essence, we lost the election because we have lost control of the conversation.

The Progressive's Pocketbook of Persuasion teaches Democrats how to control the conversation once again and in turn retake the political reins of our country. In ten informative chapters, addressing the most important aspects of persuasion in the political realm, The Progressive's Pocketbook of Persuasion provides a much-needed toolkit for talking effectively about the key issues facing America today. Each chapter explains a central persuasive concept (such as reason, narrative, credibility, symbols, etc.) in easy-to-understand terms and with relevant examples. Most importantly, each chapter suggests specific ways that Democrats at all levels of political involvement can use the concept to create more effective persuasion.

The Progressive's Pocketbook of Persuasion is aimed at activists and concerned Democrats who seek to engage political issues in their everyday lives. With benchmark elections rapidly approaching, effective persuasion skills can greatly improve Democrats' impact as they write letters to the editor, canvass for candidates, and talk with friends and family.

In her focus on persuasion, Dillard reminds progressives of an ancient truth: It*s not enough to be right; we must be convincing to others. We must persuade. And the key to doing that, as this smartly crafted book reminds us, is respect for our audience and the realization that language matters. Dillard*s Progressive*s Pocketbook of Persuasion gives us the essential tools for the work ahead of us.

--Dr. Robert Cox, Environmental activist and Professor of Communication, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The Progressive*s Pocketbook is must read for anyone who understands the urgency of rebalancing our political debate. This is a book for scholars and their students who want to understand contemporary political discourse, and it is a book for progressive citizen activists who want to win. Before gearing up for the 2008 election, Progressives would be well-served to follow her prescriptions.

--Chris Beck, former OR State Representative

An essential guide for progressive activists, this toolkit goes beyond the diagnostics of other books by giving the reader several simple but needed lessons on how to better explain who we are, what we stand for and what America could be. I have no doubt that readers of this book will be among those responsible changing our country for the better.

--Jeff Vogt, International Labor Rights Activist

---

About the Author

Courtney Dillard is a Visiting Professor in the Rhetoric & Media Studies Department at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. She received her Ph.D. in Communication Studies from the University of Texas- Austin and her MA from The University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill. For over a decade, Courtney's research agenda has focused on persuasion and social change. In the last several years, she has turned her attention to persuasion and the aims of Progressive politics. As an emerging political activist, Courtney served as Speaker Trainer for the Kerry/Edwards campaign in Oregon, as well as volunteering her time in other campaign capacities.

---

Excerpts

---