Saving Persuasion: A Defense of Rhetoric and Judgment

Very intelligent, perceptive understanding of how argument and persuasion function in a democratic society.

This is one of the most boring, beat-around-the-bush books I have ever read. Each chapter is about twenty pages longer than it needs to be, and elaborates on people/figures/ideas that are often beside the point of the chapter. If you're looking to persuade, I'd search for something that's a little more persuasive in itself.