First published 2006
Edward L. Widmer draws on his experience crafting words for presidents to curate this expansive collection. The historian selects speeches that shaped the nation across centuries of American discourse. He gathers voices from the founding era through modern times, capturing moments when rhetoric moved the country forward. The two-volume set includes addresses that defined pivotal historical moments and swayed public opinion during times of crisis and celebration. Widmer brings his insider knowledge of political communication to bear on these selections, understanding both the craft of speechwriting and the weight of historical context. His dual perspective as scholar and practitioner guides readers through the evolution of American oratory, revealing how words became weapons, bridges, and beacons throughout the nation's story.
Genres: american, politics
Vibes: historical, informative, thought-provoking
Tropes: historical-nonfiction
Setting: United States
Period: 19th Century, 20th Century, 21st Century
832 pages · Hardcover · Library of America