American Political Speeches

Penguin Publishing Group, 2012. Very Good. A copy that has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. A selection of speeches by the most inspiring and persuasive orators in Ame rican history Penguin presents a series of six portable, accessible, and-above all-essent ial reads from American political history, selected by leading scholars. Se ries editor Richard Beeman, author of The Penguin Guide to the U.S. Constit ution, draws together the great texts of American civic life to create a ti mely and informative mini-library of perennially vital issues. Whether read ers are encountering these classic writings for the first time, or brushing up in anticipation of the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, these slim volumes will serve as a powerful and illuminating resource for scholar s, students, and civic-minded citizens. American Political Speeches includes the best American rhetoric from inside and outside the White House. Some of the greatest words spoken in American history have come from men and women who lacked the biggest bully pulpit in the country, but who nevertheless were able to move the nation with words. Frederick Douglass explained the irony of Independence Day from the perspective of a slave. Martin Luther King, Jr. described his dream of an interracial America. William Jennings Bryan gave voice to social discontent with a single phrase, "a cross of gold." Barbara Jordan summoned the nation"s outrage during the impeachment hearings against Richard Nixon. And the best presidents, not by coincidence, have tended to be those with an appreciation for the use of languag.