American Speeches: Political Oratory from Patrick Henry to Barack Obama: A Library of America Paperback Classic

Brief Description: Public oratory has profoundly shaped American history and culture-- not only our politics but our language and our sense of national identity. Here is the complete text of forty-seven of the greatest speeches in American history. Brief Description: "From the American Revolution to the present day, public oratory has profoundly shaped American history and culture--not only our politics but our language and our sense of national identity. Edited by historian and former presidential speechwriter Ted Widmer, American Speeches presents the complete texts of forty-seven of the greatest speeches in American history: from Patrick Henry's address before the Virginia Convention in 1775 ('give me liberty, or give me death!') to 'A More Perfect Union,' Barack Obama's profound meditation on race from the 2008 presidential campaign. Classic speeches like Sojourner Truth's stirring declamation to the 1851 Women's Rights Convention, Abraham Lincoln's masterpiece at Gettysburg, John F. Kennedy's still-inspiring inaugural address, Martin Luther King, Jr.'s prophetic 'I Have a Dream' speech, and Ronald Reagan's clarion call at the Brandenburg Gate come together to form a dynamic portrait of our ongoing struggle to define and to realize the possibilities of the American experiment."--Cover p. [4Marc Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index. Review Quotes: ""American Speeches" gives a comprehensive view of the arguments, passions, and philosophies that have shaped America. These speeches are part of our national heritage. They should be studied and celebrated." -PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON Publisher Marketing: From the American Revolution to the present day, public oratory has profoundly shaped American history and culture-not only our politics but our language and our sense of national identity. Edited by historian and former presidential speechwriter Ted Widmer, "American Speeches" presents the complete texts of forty-seven of the greatest speeches in American history: from Patrick Henry's address before the Virginia Convention in 1775 ("give me liberty, or give me death!") to "A More Perfect Union," Barack Obama's profound meditation on race from the 2008 presidential campaign. Classic speeches like Sojourner Truth's stirring declamation to the 1851 Women's Rights Convention, Abraham Lincoln's masterpiece at Gettysburg, John F. Kennedy's still-inspiring inaugural address, Martin Luther King, Jr.'s prophetic "I Have a Dream" speech, and Ronald Reagan's clarion call at the Brandenburg Gate come together to form a dynamic portrait of our ongoing struggle to define and to realize the possibilities of the American experiment. For almost thirty years, The Library of America has presented America's best and most significant writing in acclaimed hardcover editions. Now, a new series, Library of America Paperback Classics, offers attractive and affordable books that bring The Library of America's authoritative texts within easy reach of every reader. This book features detailed biographical notes about the speakers, an essay on the choice of the texts, and explanatory notes.

Contributor Bio:  Widmer, Ted Ted Widmer is a historian at Brown University, where he is Assistant to the President for Special Projects. He has served as a senior adviser to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Director and Librarian of the John Carter Brown Library, and Director of the C. V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience at Washington College. He has written or edited many works of history, including, most recently, "Listening In: The Secret White House Recordings of John F. Kennedy".