An Effort to Understand by David Murray

David Murray

Chicago, Illinois

David Murray is a writer and journalist. He's editor and publisher of Vital Speeches of the Day magazine, and founder and executive director of the Professional Speechwriters Association.

Subscribe 196 subscribers

About the author

David Murray is editor and publisher of Vital Speeches of the Day, an 85-year-old collection of the best oral communication in the U.S. and the world. He’s also executive director of the Professional Speechwriters Association. He’s been a prominent commentator on communication issues for 25 years.

Murray cowrote the New York Times-bestselling memoir Tell My Sons (Random House, 2013) and a memoir about his advertising copywriter parents, Raised By Mad Men.

Murray’s writing on communication and other subjects has appeared in many media outlets including The New York Times, The Atlantic Monthly, the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, Advertising Age, Sailing Magazine, Golf Magazine, Car Collector Magazine, Vibe.com, the Huffington Post and Chicago Public Radio.

He lives with his wife and daughter in Chicago.

	Profile verified
	http://writingboots.typepad.com
	View profile

Buy on Amazon

Pre-orders

498

Funded

$9,116.00

Days left

0 250 500 1000

Success! An Effort to Understand has already sold 498 pre-orders , was pitched to 12 publishers , and will be published by Disruption Books .

$19 The Communicators Club

154 readers

• 1 copy of the autographed limited edition of the book "An Effort to Understand"

• An invitation to the book launch and an ensuing Chicago Writer’s Pub Crawl led by David Murray.

• Exclusive access to publication updates.

• Upon publication, an invitation to join the exclusive Communicators Club—a community of "Effort to Understand" readers who want to carry on the conversation.

1 copy + ebook included

Free shipping

36 of 190 left

$35 The Communicators Club Plus One

32 readers

• 2 copies of the autographed limited edition of the book "An Effort to Understand."

• Exclusive access to publication updates.

• An invitation to the book launch and an ensuing Chicago Writer’s Pub Crawl led by David Murray.

• Upon publication, an invitation to join the exclusive Communicators Club—a community of "Effort to Understand" readers who want to carry on the conversation.

2 copies + ebook included

Free shipping

18 of 50 left

$99 The Communicators Club Plus Four

19 readers

• 5 copies of the autographed limited edition of the book "An Effort to Understand."

• A free six-month digital subscription to Vital Speeches of the Day magazine.

• Exclusive access to publication updates.

• An invitation to the book launch and an ensuing Chicago Writer’s Pub Crawl led by David Murray.

• Upon publication, an invitation to join the exclusive Communicators Club—a community of "Effort to Understand" readers who want to carry on the conversation.

5 copies + ebook included

Free shipping

6 of 25 left

$199 The Communicators Club for Your Communication Colleagues

6 readers

• 10 copies of the autographed limited edition of the book "An Effort to Understand."

• A free six-month digital subscription to Vital Speeches of the Day magazine.

• Exclusive access to publication updates.

• An invitation to the book launch and an ensuing Chicago Writer’s Pub Crawl led by David Murray.

• Upon publication, an invitation to join the exclusive Communicators Club—a community of "Effort to Understand" readers who want to carry on the conversation.

• An invitation to participate in a freewheeling webinar conversation with David Murray, about the implications of "An Effort to Understand." Ask him anything.

10 copies + ebook included

Free shipping

4 of 10 left

$399 The Communicators Club Corporate Sponsorship Sold out

5 readers

• 25 copies of the autographed limited edition of the book "An Effort to Understand."

• One free pass to any Professional Speechwriters Association professional development event between now and the end of 2020.

• A free six-month digital subscription to Vital Speeches of the Day magazine.

• Exclusive access to publication updates.

• An invitation to the book launch and an ensuing Chicago Writer’s Pub Crawl led by David Murray.

• Upon publication, an invitation to join the exclusive Communicators Club—a community of "Effort to Understand" readers who want to carry on the conversation.

• An invitation to participate in a freewheeling webinar conversation with David Murray, about the implications of "An Effort to Understand." Ask him anything.

25 copies + ebook included

Free shipping

0 of 5 left

An Effort to Understand

Why Americans must stop shaking our heads at one another and start communicating more honestly with ourselves.

How to hear more clearly and speak more truly to rebuild relationships in your family, your workplace, your community and your society.

Share Post on X Threads LinkedIn Embed
pszr.co/Frpgj 10025 views

	Personal Growth & Self-Improvement
	50,000 words
	75% complete
	12 publishers interested
	View publishers

Synopsis

“We have to make an effort in the United States,” a trembling Robert F. Kennedy told a grief-stricken crowd immediately after the assassination of Martin Luther King. “We have to make an effort to understand.”

A half-century later, how are we doing in our effort to understand?

We’ve had so many “national conversations about race,” we are blue in the face. Online discussions instantly devolve into attempted rhetorical murder. People dread their family holiday dinners and exchange tips on how to avoid controversial—read, meaningful—subjects.

As the nation staggers from one of the most contentious presidential elections in its history to the next, it seems communication can’t solve anything.

David Murray hasn't given up.

Murray is the author of the memoir Raised by Mad Men, about his 1960s-era advertising parents. He’s editor and publisher of Vital Speeches of the Day. And he’s the founder and executive director of the global Professional Speechwriters Association. Murray has spent his whole career at the center of a community of professional communicators, writing on political, business and personal communication for three decades.

In An Effort to Understand, Murray shares his insights—challenging, entertaining, funny and often intensely personal—to help Americans communicate more effectively with the people they love, the people they work with and even the friends and strangers who they confront from across the political divide.

But first: with themselves.

Through observational examples from contemporary culture and his personal life, Murray shows you:

• How to listen more carefully.

• How to choose battles more wisely.

• How to avoid insulting people accidentally.

• How to think more generously.

• How to argue more productively.

• How to repair a relationship (and when to stop trying).

• How to use humor as a salve and not a hammer.

• How to make more peace in your life, and contribute to a more cohesive family, community, workplace and society.

As Robert Kennedy said in his speech the last time America was so wounded, “What we need in the United States is not division; what we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in the United States is not violence or lawlessness; but love and wisdom, and compassion toward one another, and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer within our country.”

This book is an attempt to help us treat one another the way we all know we must. This book is An Effort to Understand.

Sales arguments

85% of Americans say that political debate in the U.S. has become more negative and less respectful. (Pew, 2019)
64% of Americans say that trust in one another has been shrinking. (Pew, 2019)
Clearly, a majority of Americans could use a wise and wound-binding guide to better communication: with their families, their friends, their neighbors, their colleagues—and their country.

Similar titles

CRUCIAL CONVERSATIONS: Tools for Talking When the Stakes Are High
THE ART OF AUTHENTICITY: Tools to Become an Authentic Leader and Your Best Self
QUIET: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking

Audience

The audience for this book is every adult who’s looking for a new way to look at the world that might lead to a better way to be in the world.

Advance praise

Here's what readers had to say about David Murray's last book, Raised By Mad Men.

“David Murray searches to uncover the significance of his father’s life’s work. Did helping companies sell more products amount to anything more? And what legacy is left for this child of ‘Mad Men’? If you don’t know David and the rich contributions he’s made through his books and counsel, read it and discover.”—Pete Weissman, CEO, Thought Leader Communications

“An honest and funny memory of the writer's parents, who were both in the advertising business in the 1960s and 70s.” —Laurie Meyer, former vice president of corporate communication, Walgreens

“A moving memoir ... Murray uses the TV series Mad Men as a counterpoint in giving an account of his parents' advertising careers. Fans of the series will find in Murray's father a real-life and more likable Don Draper. Murray deftly weaves the history of modern advertising into his narrative and writes in a style that would make his father proud.” —Jerry Tarver, Professor Emeritus, Speech Communication, University of Richmond

“David Murray's loving portrait of his larger-than-life parents gives us fascinating insights into their characters. It also tells the story of a tumultuous era in which the medium of advertising evolved from selling things to driving social change.” —Ron Shewchuk, corporate communications executive

“A beautiful and stirring look at the real people who changed the way business talked to human beings. And why it's still important today. Must read for anyone who communicates for a living.” —Dain Dunston, Executive Communication Consultant

“Engaging and meaningful for the openness with which Murray lets us into his personal observations of his parents and his thoughts on the way their achievements and choices shaped his view of the world, his personal philosophy and his professional pursuits. This is a wonderful, personal read that I couldn't put down once I began it, and I highly recommend it.” —Shawn Bannon, vice president of executive communication, PNC

12 publishers interested

	Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc. 250 copies • Completed manuscript. Atlantic Publishing has been providing millions of readers information to jumpstart their careers, start businesses, manage employees, invest, plan for retirement, learn technologies, build relationships, and live rewarding, fulfilling lives. Our award-winning authors and publication staff strive to make our products the best and most up-to-date available. We go further than most publishers to get our customers the best products. Hybrid publisher Children Fiction, Mind & Body, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Journalism, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Politics & Social Sciences, Society & Culture Worldwide
	Cranthorpe Millner 250 copies • Partial manuscript. Cranthorpe Millner operates a hybrid publishing model. This means, should an author pass our editors’ strict filtering system, we can offer different kinds of agreements depending on the author and the manuscript. With some authors, we work under a ‘traditional’ model, whereby we cover the full cost of publication and the author is offered industry-standard royalties (8-10%). To some authors, we offer what we call a partnership or contributory agreement, whereby the author is asked for a financial contribution so that we may share the risk and enter into a partnership together to publish the author’s book. In this case, the author receives around 60-75% royalties. Hybrid publisher Children Fiction, Literary Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Mind & Body, Mind & Body, Romantic Fiction, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Science Fiction & Fantasy, YA Fiction, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Biography & Memoir, Health, Fitness & Dieting, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, History, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Science, Science, Sports & Outdoors, Sports & Outdoors, Travel, Travel United Kingdom, United States, Canada
	Disruption Books 250 copies • Partial manuscript. Disruption Books is a hybrid publisher of innovative nonfiction that will start conversations, shift perspectives, and influence outcomes. Our books present big ideas from leaders in diverse fields such as politics, philanthropy, business, and activism. Hybrid publisher Mind & Body, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Journalism, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Politics & Social Sciences, Science, Society & Culture, Technology & the Future Worldwide
	Emerald Lake Books 500 copies • Completed manuscript. Emerald Lake Books is a hybrid publishing company that provides a unique blend of business coaching with publishing to help its authors succeed, whether it’s their first book or their fiftieth! Emerald Lake Books specializes in working with positive people who have an engaging, exciting, or entertaining message to share with the world. Using a unique, goal-oriented approach to publishing, we combine our business and publishing knowledge to help our authors set and attain goals for their readers, their brands, and their books. And many of those books have gone on to win international awards and recognition. Hybrid publisher Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Mind & Body, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Journalism, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Science, Society & Culture, Technology & the Future, Travel Worldwide
	Koehler Books 250 copies • Completed manuscript. Koehler Books is an Indie publisher based in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Our team of dedicated professionals promises you a holistic publishing experience where you'll receive our full attention, collaboration, and coaching every step of the way. We offer two publishing models: a traditional non-fee model for the highest quality work, as well as a co-publishing model that includes creative development fees for emerging authors. Our titles are broad-based and include nearly every major non-fiction and fiction genre. Hybrid publisher Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBT Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Mind & Body, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Women's Fiction, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Communication Skills, Corporate Culture, Management & Leadership, Marketing & Sales, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Sex & Relationships, Sports & Outdoors, Science Fiction & Humour Worldwide
	Morgan James 500 copies • Partial manuscript • Looking for entrepreneurship, business, self-help, and personal growth. Morgan James Publishing has revolutionized book publishing—from the author’s standpoint, earning 29 NY Times and over 100 USA Today and Wall Street Journal best sellers. We teach authors strategies to leverage their books and grow their businesses—adding value while staying out of the way. Evidenced by more Major Media best sellers than most publishers our size. Regularly ranked by Publishers Weekly as the most recognized and one of the fastest-growing publishers in the nation, Morgan James is reported to be “the future of publishing.” Hybrid publisher All categories Worldwide
	1106 Design, LLC Dear Author, You worked hard to write your manuscript; finally, it's ready to release. You know that expert assistance is needed, but perhaps you didn’t realize that working with a publisher is no longer necessary—especially publishers who charge fees to produce your book upfront and "share" more of your revenue whenever a book is sold. 1106 Design is an author services company. We offer all the editorial and design services you’d expect from a publisher, transforming your manuscript into a market-ready book. But here's the difference: we help you secure print-on-demand printing and worldwide distribution in your name. This means you earn several dollars more for every book sold instead of a meager “royalty.” We understand that your book is not just a passion project but also a potential source of income. That's why we offer a range of services tailored to your needs at affordable prices. Depending on your manuscript's word count and complexity, our packages range from $4,000 to $10,000. And here's the best part: after this one-time investment, every penny of net revenue from book sales goes directly to you, never to us. If this sounds like a better way to publish your book, I invite you to browse our services, design samples, no-surprises pricing, outstanding customer reviews, and educational articles at https://1106design.com. You can download a free PDF of my book, "Publish Like the Pros: A Brief Guide to Quality Self-Publishing and an Insider's Look at a Misunderstood Industry," and request a free, no-obligation consultation. 1106 Design has been in business since 2001 and is rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau. We are a “Highly Recommended Expert” at IngramSpark.com and rated "Excellent" at Alli, The Alliance for Independent Authors, at SelfPublishingAdvice.org, where you can find a "watchdog list" of the best and worst publishing services companies. How can we serve you today? Sincerely, Michele DeFilippo, owner Service publisher Children Fiction, Christian Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Essay, Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Mythology & Folk Tales, Poetry, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Women's Fiction, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Children Non-Fiction, Christian Non-Fiction, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Communication Skills, Corporate Culture, Current Affairs, Economics, Education, Entrepreneurship & Small Business, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Humor & Entertainment, Journalism, Management & Leadership, Marketing & Sales, Mindfulness & Happiness, Money & Investment, Motivation & Inspiration, Nature & Environment, Parenting, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Philosophy, Politics & Social Sciences, Popular Science, Productivity & Time Management, Psychology, Reference, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Sex & Relationships, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel, YA Non-Fiction, Science Fiction & Humour Worldwide
	Atmosphere Press 250 copies • Partial manuscript. Atmosphere Press is an independent publisher dedicated to author rights. We publish in all genres and have an exceptional editorial, design, and promotional staff. We stand for Honesty, Transparency, Professionalism, and Kindness. We want our authors and their readers to be blown away when they first hold that book in their hands. It needs to look good inside and out, and feel good to the touch. And, of course, the words need to be top-notch, and our editors are devoted to making that the case. Service publisher Children Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Journalism, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Politics & Social Sciences, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel Worldwide
	Authors Unite 250 copies • Partial manuscript. Authors Unite helps you become a profitable author and make an impact. We take care of printing and distribution through major online retailers, developmental editing, and proofreading with unlimited revisions. We take care of the entire process for you from book cover design all the way to set up your backend so all your book royalties go straight to your bank account. We can also help with ghostwriting if you prefer not to have to figure out all the steps on how to write a book yourself. With our book marketing services, you don’t need to worry about figuring out all the steps on how to market a book or how to become a bestselling author. We’ve helped hundreds of authors become bestselling authors on Amazon, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal. We take care of the entire book launch process for you to help you sell thousands of copies of your book and become a bestselling author. View case studies here: https://authorsunite.com Service publisher Children Fiction, Christian Fiction, Comics & Graphic Novels, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBT Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Mind & Body, Mythology & Folk Tales, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Women's Fiction, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Children Non-Fiction, Christian Non-Fiction, Communication Skills, Corporate Culture, Crafts & Hobbies, Creativity, Current Affairs, Economics, Education, Entrepreneurship & Small Business, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Humor & Entertainment, Journalism, LGBT Non-Fiction, Management & Leadership, Marketing & Sales, Mindfulness & Happiness, Money & Investment, Motivation & Inspiration, Nature & Environment, Parenting, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Philosophy, Politics & Social Sciences, Popular Science, Productivity & Time Management, Psychology, Reference, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Sex & Relationships, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel, YA Non-Fiction, Science Fiction & Humour Worldwide
	Bookmobile 100 copies • Partial manuscript. Bookmobile provides book printing, graphic design, and other resources to support book publishers in an ever-changing environment. Superior quality, excellent customer service, flexibility, and timely turnarounds have attracted nearly 1,000 satisfied clients to Bookmobile, including trade houses, university presses, independent publishers, museums, galleries, artists, and more. In addition, we manage eBook conversions and produce galleys, and regularly provide short-run reprints of 750 copies or fewer for major publishers such as Graywolf Press. Service publisher Children Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Journalism, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Politics & Social Sciences, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel Worldwide
	eBooks2go 100 copies • Completed manuscript. eBooks2go, Inc. was founded in 2011 to provide the missing link for all your publishing needs. Our end-to-end solutions provide the guidance and support that enable publishers and independent authors to pursue their passions. To date, we have helped more than 750 authors and 100 publishers worldwide. We offer an array of simple and affordable solutions to assist self-publishing authors at every stage of the book publishing process. Our comprehensive service offering includes editing, print and eBook production, book marketing, cover designs, ISBN registration, and even website designs. We are a single source for all of your publishing needs. Service publisher Children Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Journalism, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Politics & Social Sciences, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel Worldwide
	Happy Self Publishing 100 copies • Completed manuscript. Happy Self Publishing has helped 500+ authors to get their books self-published, hit the #1 position in the Amazon bestseller charts, and also establish their author website & brand to grow their business. And the best thing is, we do all this without taking away your rights and royalties. Let's schedule a call to discuss the next steps in your book project: www.meetme.so/jyotsnaramachandran Service publisher Children Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Journalism, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Politics & Social Sciences, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel Worldwide

Update #4 - Publishing contract signed for An Effort to Understand Dec. 20, 2019

Dear Pre-Purchaser of An Effort to Understand—

Thanks for your patience over the last few months as I’ve spoken with many publishers and waited to …
Update #3 - 502 Sept. 6, 2019

To pre-orderers of "An Effort to Understand"—
Well, now you've done it.
With 22 hours to spare in our extended campaign, we reached the 500 pre-order threshold. …
Update #2 - Book launch party! Date, TBD. Location, moveable. Aug. 27, 2019

Dear Supporter of An Effort to Understand—
Never satisfied with the pre-sales of the book, my rapacious agent at Publishizer encourages me to sweeten the …
Update #1 - Thank you from the bottom of my Boots. However ... Aug. 1, 2019

Dear Supporter of "An Effort to Understand"—

It's been a good week for morale here at Writing Boots headquarters. Thanks to your gracious pre-order and …

Search

David Murray

About the author

An Effort to Understand

Synopsis

Sales arguments

Similar titles

Audience

Advance praise