My Fellow Americans: The Most Important Speeches of America's Presidents, from George Washington to George W. Bush

by Michael Waldman (Editor)

The history of the United States lives in the words of its presidents-words that heal, inspire and sometimes divide a nation and the world. My Fellow Americans brings to life two centuries of American history, as you read and hear the presidential speeches that defined our nation's most dramatic moments.

My Fellow Americans presents, in text and on two audio CDs, more than 40 of the greatest speeches from American presidents. Former White House chief speechwriter Michael Waldman introduces them, telling their dramatic stories and explaining their impact. In original essays, Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton describe the talks that influenced them the most. Included are captivating photographs, illustrations and handwritten manuscripts,

-Never-before-seen handwritten speech notes used by President Clinton
-The speech, announcing an attack on Cuba, that President Kennedy did not have to give during the Cuban missile crisis
-An actual photo of Lincoln at Gettysburg

And much more...

The accompanying audio CDs let you hear these great speeches as they happened-some recordings are more than 100 years old-and reenact speeches from before the dawn of recorded audio. We hear the voices of every president since Benjamin Harrison. Experience some of our greatest moments, such as "The Only Thing We Have to Fear, Is Fear Itself," "Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You" and "Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down This Wall." Hear Lyndon Johnson adopt "We Shall Overcome" for all Americans; John F. Kennedy proclaim "Ich Bin Ein Berliner" at the Berlin Wall; and a fascinating account by a man who saw and heard President Lincoln deliver the Gettysburg Address.

My Fellow Americans presents a fascinating journey through American history that can be shared with your family and friends, whether you're reliving the event, or hearing it together for the first time.

Genres: History, Politics, Presidents, Reference

352 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2003

Reviews

[Niki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! It has 43 of the most influential speeches given by US Presidents. I love reading the original words from each of them and learning more about who they really were and what they stood for. There is also a CD that goes along with the book and you hear each president back to Benjamin Harrison.

It was so amazing to see all of the trials that our country has gone through and how the words of the presidents can bring them together and unite Americans in times of trial. It makes me so grateful to be a part of such an amazing country.

[Jared · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed listening to this collection of speeches from our presidents. It was neat to hear the actual speeches, and the catch phrases they used, that we've read about all these years. It was coll to hear their voices and listen to their method of delivery. It was certainly inspiring and definitely worth the read.

[Cws]

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