U.S. Presidents as Orators: A Bio-Critical Sourcebook

This first systematic critique on the rhetoric of 21 presidents shows how political constraints shaped rhetoric and how oratory shaped politics. An introduction places American public address in the context of classical rhetorical practices and theory and sets the stage for the bio-critical essays about presidents ranging from Washington to Clinton. Experts analyze the style and use of language, important speeches and their impact, and their ethical ramifications. Each essay on a president also keys major speeches to authoritative texts and offers a chronology and bibliography of primary and secondary sources. For students, teachers, and professionals in American public address, political communication, and the presidency.

This first systematic critique on the rhetoric of 21 presidents shows how political constraints shaped rhetoric and how oratory shaped politics. An introduction places American public address in the context of classical rhetorical practices and theory and sets the stage for the bio-critical essays about presidents ranging from Washington to Clinton. Experts analyze the style and use of language, important speeches and their impact, and their ethical ramifications. Each essay on a president also keys major speeches to authoritative texts and offers a chronology and bibliography of primary and secondary sources. For students, teachers, and professionals in American public address, political communication, and the presidency.

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After briefly reviewing the long history of political oration and the extensive commentary about it, examines the oratorical practices of 21 US presidents from Washington to Clinton. The contributing scholars of communications and rhetoric dissect the leaders' purposes, strategies, styles, success and impact. They also provide comprehensive bibliographic references for each essay. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

HALFORD RYAN, Professor of English and Public Speaking at Washington and Lee University, is well known for his many books and articles dealing with presidential rhetoric and the history and criticism of American public address.