Good Arguments: How Debate Teaches Us to Listen and Be Heard

Since it was my personal opinion that the world needs to remember or to relearn how to argue without personal attacks, I was very much interested to learn the techniques of a two-time world champion debater and a valued coach in the world of debate. However, this book is rather hard to follow and lacks specific actionable techniques to enable one to structure good arguments.

This book may be very helpful for a debater, or a high school student who finds motivation in the author’s story of being out of the limelight and overlooked until he finds his niche. I doubt very many would want to read through his play-by-play of contestants during a lackluster debate.

The author does provide charts with basic rules of engagement, but it would have been helpful to structure real-life exercises for the reader to flex their arguing muscles. Most of the advice is common sense in that it pays to listen and respond appropriately. The author has credentials in this field and the book does have promise, but not concrete advice.