Words of the Presidents: Speeches and Letters from 1776 to 2011

NEW UPDATE: Now includes Barack Obama's May 1, 2011, speech on the death of Osama bin Laden.

From the unforgettable to the obscure, Words of the Presidents relives the defining moments of American history from 1776 to 2011. From Gettysburg to Berlin; from “all men are created equal” to “ask not what your country can do for you”; from the Monroe Doctrine to the military-industrial complex, these words illustrate the thoughts and feelings of a country as its role shifts domestically and on the world stage. The collection also includes many less well-known works, such as Jefferson’s correspondence with the Cherokee, John Quincy Adams’ arguments in the Amistad case, James Madison’s proposed draft of the Bill of Rights, and debates from the hard-fought three-way 1912 election between Teddy Roosevelt, William H. Taft, and Woodrow Wilson.

This collection includes 53 of the most important, the most powerful, and the most fascinating statements from the pens and podiums of the United States presidents. You’ll also find paintings, photos, and political cartoons, along with footnotes and commentary on each speech from the Bookbyte Digital editors.