United States Speeches

In Lincoln's Last Speech, renowned historian and author Louis P. Masur offers insight into this critical address and its vision of a reconstructed United States. Coming two days after Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox and a week after the fall of Richmond, Lincoln's speech was expected to be a victory oration. Instead he looked to the future, discussing how best to restore the seceded states to the national government and even endorsing limited black suffrage.

"Great Speeches by Frederick Douglass" is a pivotal collection showcasing Frederick Douglass's eloquence, determination, and leadership in advocating for the abolition of slavery and civil rights.

Lincoln at Cooper Union explores Lincoln’s most influential and widely reported pre-presidential address—an extraordinary appeal by the western politician to the eastern elite that propelled him toward the Republican nomination for president. Delivered in New York in February 1860, the Cooper Union speech dispelled doubts about Lincoln’s suitability for the presidency and reassured conservatives of his moderation while reaffirming his opposition to slavery to Republican progressives.

Republican Party spokespeople include presidents, advisors, and candidates. Speeches are given by Barry Goldwater, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, Donald Trump, and others. Words that support the party line and are meant to win elections.

Edited by filmmaker Sean Conant and with contributions from some of the country's leading scholars including Sean Wilentz, Craig L. Symonds, and Harold Holzer, this volume explores how in the century and a half since it was delivered, the Gettysburg Address has proven a seemingly inexhaustible source of somber reflection and soaring hope, and why its language continues to resonate with so many people seeking meaning for their own struggles and sacrifices.

The Supreme Court and the Philosopher illustrates how the modern US Supreme Court has increasingly adopted a view of the constitutional right to the freedom of expression that is classically liberal in nature, reflecting John Stuart Mill's reasoning in On Liberty. A landmark treatise outlining the merits of limiting governmental and social power over the individual, On Liberty advocates for a maximum protection of human freedom.

In The Free Speech Century, two of America's leading First Amendment scholars, Lee C. Bollinger and Geoffrey R. Stone, have gathered a group of the nation's leading constitutional scholars to evaluate the evolution of free speech doctrine since Schenk and to assess where it might be headed in the future. The Free Speech Century will serve as an essential resource for anyone interested in how our understanding of the First Amendment transformed over time and why it is so critical both for the United States and for the world today.

From the Palmer Raids to the Patriot Act traces the fight for free speech from the turn of the 19th century through the War on Terror. Christopher Finan has given us a vital history of our most fundamental, and most vulnerable, constitutional right.

John F. Kennedy's greatest speeches, Volume I includes five of the late president's greatest speeches, including the inauguration speech, the Berlin wall speech, his first address to the UN general assembly, his televised talk to the american people regarding the cuban missile crisis, and lastly, his address to congress on civil rights.

Step back in time and witness the power of oratory with 'Historic Speeches from the 1930s to 1980s,' a captivating collection that spans pivotal moments in history and showcases the voices of some of the most influential figures of the 20th century. From trailblazing aviators to legendary athletes, political leaders, civil rights activists, and cultural icons, this anthology offers a window into the past through the words of those who shaped it.

On October 22, 1962, President John F. Kennedy gave a televised address informing the American public that the Soviet Union had installed missiles in Cuba. Kennedy announced a US naval blockade around the island to prevent further delivery of such weapons, essentially declaring that any missile launched from Cuba against the Western Hemisphere would be considered an attack by the Soviet Union, and would prompt a full US retaliatory response. Kennedy demanded the removal of the missiles from Cuba and warned of serious consequences if the Soviets did not comply.

This collection contains authentic re-enactments of all of George Washington's (1732-1799) major speeches during his two presidential term of office as America's first president after victory in the War for Independence. It includes his farewell address in full, regarded as a fine example of his political beliefs, as well as eight annual messages to Congress and two inaugural addresses.

This speech by Edmund Burke was delivered 22 March 1775. He submitted a set of resolutions affirming the principle of autonomy for the American colonies with the view of preventing their defection. Burke concludes the speech by exalting the ties of common descent, common institutions, and common sentiment as the strongest links of empire. The cogency of Burke’s arguments and the depth of his political wisdom were ignored by the House of Commons and his resolutions were defeated.

This collection charts the history of American civil rights from the perspective of seven different US presidents in the modern era from the 1950s to the present. The collection includes speeches from Presidents Truman, Kennedy, Johnson, Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Clinton and Obama with additional detail and context from Matthew Ross. Presidential speeches are presented in a full and in context. This offers a unique way to follow the topic of civil rights over decades.

This book includes key speeches from President Eisenhower during his Presidency (1953-1961) including key speeches on the post-war peace process and his speech on the so-called 'Eisenhower doctrine'. His inaugural address and farewell speeches are also included as well as his address to the Republican National convention in 1956. This collection provides an informative, first-hand account of the Eisenhower Presidency and the 1950s in America.

On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy made a speech to the Fort Worth, Texas, Chamber of Commerce; he was assassinated later that afternoon. Kennedy had traveled to the state to unite Texas Democrats where party leaders were feuding and extremists were contributing to political tensions. Kennedy knew an intra-party feud in Texas could jeopardize his chances of carrying the state for his 1964 re-election campaign.

Heroes make the world much better and we need to exalt them. Yet, how do we define heroism? This work offers 10 criteria to consider.

To live the best life, we need to advance liberation and justice. In order to make sure we are advancing liberation and justice, we need to clearly define what liberation and justice mean. So if you want to learn how to better advance liberation and justice, listen to this audiobook.