State of the Union: Presidential Rhetoric from Woodrow Wilson to George W. Bush

by Deborah Kalb, Gerhard Peters, John T. Woolley

Through an expansive collection of primary source materials and original, informative introduction and headnotes, State of the Presidential Rhetoric from Woodrow Wilson to George W. Bush explores ways in which modern U.S. presidents have appealed directly to the public and how the public has responded. State of the Presidential Rhetoric from Woodrow Wilson to George W. Bush is a comprehensive reference containing all the state of the union addresses as well as each inaugural address delivered from Woodrow Wilson to George W. Bush. This unique single-volume resource presents over 100 full-text addresses. Headnotes accompanying each address provide valuable context for each address by outlining the events leading up to the address and exploring the ensuing public reaction. An introductory essay to the volume provides readers with an in-depth look at the history of state of the union addresses and examines how presidents have crafted their speeches to meet changing styles and circumstances. State of the Union also includes a bibliography of sources related to presidential rhetoric, a chronological listing of all addresses included in the volume, a timeline showing major events as highlighted in the addresses, and a comprehensive index. A valuable research tool for students and scholars of U.S. history, government, politics, and public policy, State of the Presidential Rhetoric from Woodrow Wilson to George W. Bush will be a frequently-used resource in almost any academic or public library.

1200 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2006

About the author

Deborah Kalb is a freelance writer and editor who spent more than 20 years working as a journalist. She is the co-author, with her father, Marvin Kalb, of Haunting Legacy: Vietnam and the American Presidency from Ford to Obama, and has always been interested in presidents and history. She lives with her family in the Washington, DC, area.