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All We Say: A History of the United States in Fifteen Speeches
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Expected 28 May 26Win a free print copy of this book!
15 days and 08:42:16
30 copies available
U.S. only
What does it mean to be American? Who gets to decide?
This sweeping history of the United States through fifteen key speeches relives the battle for American identity – from a New York Times bestselling author and one of President Obama’s former speechwriters.
For 250 years, America has debated what it means to be American. The question shaped the compromises in their constitution and the arguments they’ve had ever since, spawning abolitionism, secession and civil war, populism, mass migration and global leadership, movements for reform and the backlashes to them. All We Say tells the story of the United States through fifteen speeches – some iconic, others long forgotten, all pivotal – from its founding to the intense divisions of our times.
Through riveting and beautifully rendered accounts of the people, movements and moments that produced these speeches, Rhodes traces the history of our battle over identity. The result is a singular and revealing portrait of America a nation divided between two stories – one of inheritance, power, and exclusion, the other of equality, striving, and belonging. Drawing on a decade writing for Barack Obama, Ben Rhodes also reveals how words can redirect a nation, what makes a speech enduring, and why oratory is a unique form of persuasion in a democracy.
From Benjamin Franklin’s call for compromise at the Constitutional Convention to Alexander Stephens’ case for white supremacy as the cornerstone of the Confederacy, from Martin Luther King’s dream of true equality to Donald Trump’s rallying cry against democracy itself, these speeches remind us that history is a living argument. At a time when American identity – and truth – is contested, All We Say offers a fresh and powerful look at who America really us, and who it could still become.
This sweeping history of the United States through fifteen key speeches relives the battle for American identity – from a New York Times bestselling author and one of President Obama’s former speechwriters.
For 250 years, America has debated what it means to be American. The question shaped the compromises in their constitution and the arguments they’ve had ever since, spawning abolitionism, secession and civil war, populism, mass migration and global leadership, movements for reform and the backlashes to them. All We Say tells the story of the United States through fifteen speeches – some iconic, others long forgotten, all pivotal – from its founding to the intense divisions of our times.
Through riveting and beautifully rendered accounts of the people, movements and moments that produced these speeches, Rhodes traces the history of our battle over identity. The result is a singular and revealing portrait of America a nation divided between two stories – one of inheritance, power, and exclusion, the other of equality, striving, and belonging. Drawing on a decade writing for Barack Obama, Ben Rhodes also reveals how words can redirect a nation, what makes a speech enduring, and why oratory is a unique form of persuasion in a democracy.
From Benjamin Franklin’s call for compromise at the Constitutional Convention to Alexander Stephens’ case for white supremacy as the cornerstone of the Confederacy, from Martin Luther King’s dream of true equality to Donald Trump’s rallying cry against democracy itself, these speeches remind us that history is a living argument. At a time when American identity – and truth – is contested, All We Say offers a fresh and powerful look at who America really us, and who it could still become.
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Expected publication May 28, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 11, 2026
All We Say by Ben Rhodes is a gifted speechwriter’s look back at several speeches from American history, Rhodes looks at their impact but more importantly the history behind the speech. Smartly written yet accessible, it’s a powerful reminder of how deeply words matter. Rhodes controversially has included the second inaugural speech that Dear Leader Tr*mp barely managed to spit out, given there were some big words in there for him to master. The inclusion serves as a warning to the danger that the American democracy is in but it’s likely come too late. Thanks to #netgalley and #randomhouse for the opportunity to preview this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I absolutely loved All We Say! It's a unique format, written by an Obama speechwriter. I've followed Ben's work for about 8 or 9 years...since he joined the Crooked Media family and co-hosting Pod Save the World. He's absolutely brilliant, compassionate, fair, and thoughtful.
The book includes fifteen speeches and their history from the time of Benjamin Franklin to the 47th president. He divided the book into three parts: American Foundations: Revolution to Civil War; What Kind of Nation: Radical Republic to Superpower; and Contested Nation: Civil Rights to MAGA.
He introduced me to a few people with whom I wasn't familiar (Red Jacket, Anna Dickenson, and Mary Lease). I also learned about people whose names I'd heard but knew little (Alexander Stephens and Louis Brandeis).
The book isn't just speeches; it includes biographical information about the speaker, how the speech was influenced by and made an impact on (then) current events, and how and/or why it was written. If you're at all interested in history or politics, or learning more about either, I strongly encourage you to read All We Say. Thanks to Net Galley for an advance copy.
The book includes fifteen speeches and their history from the time of Benjamin Franklin to the 47th president. He divided the book into three parts: American Foundations: Revolution to Civil War; What Kind of Nation: Radical Republic to Superpower; and Contested Nation: Civil Rights to MAGA.
He introduced me to a few people with whom I wasn't familiar (Red Jacket, Anna Dickenson, and Mary Lease). I also learned about people whose names I'd heard but knew little (Alexander Stephens and Louis Brandeis).
The book isn't just speeches; it includes biographical information about the speaker, how the speech was influenced by and made an impact on (then) current events, and how and/or why it was written. If you're at all interested in history or politics, or learning more about either, I strongly encourage you to read All We Say. Thanks to Net Galley for an advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The year 2026 is a particularly good time for reflection on how America started and evolved into what it is today. In each chapter he chooses a speech that was important in its time, His first choice was Benjamin Franklin addressing the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, near the end of his life. Rhodes serves up the speech with a substantial explication of what was said and what it means in the whole picture.
Next he chooses the rebuttal that a Seneca spokesman wrote to a missionary wanting the tribe to adopt Christianity. It was particularly fun to read how the Native American way of life is superior to their European oriented neighbors. Then he included a speech from a free African American woman exhorting black men to get up and fight for their rights - reminding them that knowledge was poer. In each case, Rhodes makes a thoughtful selection and a substantial but highly readable summary. As the book progresses, he concentrates on presidents - finishing with speeches by Reagan, Obama and Trump. It is a thoughtful history course in one package.
Next he chooses the rebuttal that a Seneca spokesman wrote to a missionary wanting the tribe to adopt Christianity. It was particularly fun to read how the Native American way of life is superior to their European oriented neighbors. Then he included a speech from a free African American woman exhorting black men to get up and fight for their rights - reminding them that knowledge was poer. In each case, Rhodes makes a thoughtful selection and a substantial but highly readable summary. As the book progresses, he concentrates on presidents - finishing with speeches by Reagan, Obama and Trump. It is a thoughtful history course in one package.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews