Good Arguments

How Debate Teaches Us to Listen and Be Heard

By: Bo Seo

Narrated by: Bo Seo

“The rare book that has the potential to make you smarter—and everyone around you wiser.” —Adam Grant

Two-time world champion debater and former coach of the Harvard debate team, Bo Seo tells the inspiring story of his life in competitive debating and reveals the timeless secrets of effective communication and persuasion

When Bo Seo was 8 years old, he and his family migrated from Korea to Australia. At the time, he did not speak English, and, unsurprisingly, struggled at school. But, then, in fifth grade, something happened to change his life: he discovered competitive debate. Immediately, he was hooked. It turned out, perhaps counterintuitively, that debating was the perfect activity for someone shy and unsure of himself. It became a way for Bo not only to find his voice, but to excel socially and academically. And he’s not the only one. Far from it: presidents, Supreme Court justices, and CEOs are all disproportionally debaters. This is hardly a coincidence. By tracing his own journey from immigrant kid to world champion, Seo shows how the skills of debating—information gathering, truth finding, lucidity, organization, and persuasion—are often the cornerstone of successful careers and happy lives.

Drawing insights from its strategies, structure, and history, Seo teaches readers the skills of competitive debate, and in doing so shows how they can improve their communication with friends, family, and colleagues alike. He takes readers on a thrilling intellectual adventure into the eccentric and brilliant subculture of competitive debate, touching on everything from the radical politics of Malcom X to Artificial Intelligence. Seo proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that, far from being a source of conflict, good-faith debate can enrich our daily lives. Indeed, these good arguments are essential to a flourishing democracy, and are more important than ever at time when bad faith is all around, and our democracy seems so imperiled.

It’s almost good

The book stayed some in between an autobiography and an informational book on the importance of debate. But it is lacking in meaningful content likely because of the young age of the writer.

Nice perspective of how to engage in conversations/debate

I think is a good book for people that needs to increase their social skills, the first 2/3 of the books gives a interesting perspective and framework of how to engage in a debate / negotiation.
I would say the last part of the book was not so interesting to me as it was more storytelling .
I would recommend it.

Good tips but not as educational as I hoped

Some great tips on debate and overview of debates
however there is a good deal of "memoir" 'ing and political opinions
overall I'd probably recommend, at least the first 6 chapters

Terrific narrative and interesting one!

Charming brain booster for this type, I like the this book, I learned a lot!

Great Book

As soon as the audiobook began, I purchased the hard bound edition. With so much depth of content, listening and reading were each important disciplines.

The value of this book goes well beyond the interests of competitive debaters. Yes, those who compete in debate programs will find important tips and practices to improve your skills.

More important are Seo’s assessment of debate in a larger community. Leaders can be confounded by the competing voices that come from diverse peoples and competing interests. A framework that allows for debate - differing opinions being spoken, being heard, and being understood - can be an important part of building and strengthening a community.

I should add that, as a former competitive debater, this was a fun read and a marvelous occasion to revisit a fun and formative season of life.