Words that Changed America: Great Speeches That Inspired, Challenged, Healed, and Enlightened

by Alex Barnett (Editor)

At every pivotal moment in American history there has been a great speech. Speeches inspired the Revolution and healed the wounds of the Civil War. Speeches abolished slavery, won women the right to vote, and sent millions of Americans into wars overseas. At their best, speeches can frame the issues of the day and inspire the nation to great acts.
WORDS THAT CHANGED AMERICA brings together 100 of the most influential and important speeches in our history. Unlike most speech collections, which proceed chronologically, this volume organizes great speeches thematically to highlight and explore the perennial debates and core principles of our country.
In the chapter titled "Revolution," Patrick Henry demands liberty or death in 1775; Elizabeth Cady Stanton declares the self-evident truth that "all men and women" are created equal in 1848; and Martin Luther King describes his dream in 1963.
In "Free Speech," Elijah Lovejoy, an Abolitionist publisher, defends the freedom of the press in 1837--days before a pro-slavery mob will kill him for exercising it. Eugene Debs gives the defiant "Canton, Ohio Speech" opposing WWI, for which he is jailed.
In "America's Place in the World," George Washington warns Americans in his 1796 Farewell Address against entangling alliances with Europe. Woodrow Wilson declares war on Germany in 1917. Franklin D. Roosevelt draws America further into WWII with his "Arsenal of Democracy" speech. John F. Kennedy announces his commitment to human rights (and opposition to Communism) in his bold 1961 Inaugural Address. And Ronald Reagan stands at the Berlin Wall in 1987 and dares Mikhail Gorbachev to tear it down.
Rounding out speeches of clear historical importance are selections chosen for their depth, spirit, and humor. Eli Wiesel describes the dangers of indifference. Lou Gehrig, stricken with the disease that now bears his name, bids farewell to Yankees fans. And Mark Twain ponders the weather in New England.
The result is a vivid, engaging history of America, drawn in the words of the men and women who shaped it.

4 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

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Reviews

[Kit McAlear · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really taking stock of my “currently reading” stack today!

I only had a few dozen pages left in this one so I hunkered down and got it done.

Overall I thought this was a good, encompassing collection of speeches. Only a few had me ferociously glued to the page (those mainly having to do with women and minority rights, surprise surprise). Most I skimmed through half heartedly and a few I read 2-3 sentences and skipped altogether.

The editor divided the speeches into four sections: “the consent of the governed”, “a more perfect union”, “freedom of speech”, and “America and the world”. It felt like a drag to finish mainly because of the placing of the last section and foreign policy not being my thing, but that’s a me issue I suppose.

So not a particularly “fun” read but I’m glad I own this book for reference and I did get some things out of it!

[Erik · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of speeches was educational and enlightening for me. Each speech is prefaced with a short historical summary of the situation and the rest of the book is only the words of the historical speaker. I suppose any such collection must be influenced by the politics of the editor in the choice of which speeches to include. But it seemed to include speeches from various political views. The collection's author seems to truly have wanted to choose speeches that had some real effect on policy, belief, or action of the people or government of the United States. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in American history.

[Maryanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love to see the things people find and are inspired to care about and how they care about it. I noticed that some of the people featured in this book died thinking they failed their convictions and their cause, when today they are hailed as our visionaries and heroes. I kept going back to a quote as I read:
"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man."
- G. B. Shaw