Product Description
With endorsements from two of the largest and most influential public speaking groups -- the National Speakers Association and Toastmasters International -- this book is written by an expert speechwriter whose eloquent voice leads readers through the difficult process of writing a great speech.In these pages a seasoned speechwriter reveals his trade secrets - from analyzing the needs of an audience to leaving them with a satisfying sense of closure - as he guides readers through the process of planning, writing, and honing an outstanding speech. Readers will discover effective ways to connect with an audience, explain concepts, and support ideas, learn how to time and cut a speech when necessary. The bottom line? When readers have finished this book, they will be well on their way to making their next big speech a big success!Anyone -- from a businessperson to a community member -- who wants to learn the skills necessary to write and deliver a memorable speech. Part of the Essence of Public Speaking Series. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Writing Great Speeches
I got this book for a charity auction where I was to give a speech. Among others on the market, I found this to be a valuable resource. The tips offered could benefit those whose jobs require public speaking as well as anyone who needs to give even a small presentation to a group of people. I would recommend it for sales, but for speeches and presentations, the information is very informative and helpful.

Necessary for any great speech
I had an important ceremony coming up and I didn't want to miss out on the opportunity to wow the crowd.This book gave me enough good ideas to research, write, and deliver a great speech. I had three goals for my speech:Establish myself as a great speaker, make the audience understand that I had written a great speech, and bring the receipient to the point of tears.

I did just that.The crowd was taken aback by my speech and that speech ended up being the one thing that everyone remembered about that evening.

I strongly encourage anyone who has a speaking engagement coming up to read this book.It will give you the guidance necessary to write a great speech regardless of the reason.

Best Public Speaking Book for analytical & intense reader
In architecture schools considerable time is spent on materials for building. The potential of the materials determines what can be built and how it will look and feel. How is it that other public speaking books spend so little time on choosing the right word. Perlman spends a great deal of effort on teaching how to find and select the right word. He demonstrates how the right word for speaking is different than the right word for written communication. You can be a great writer without being a good speaker, but you can't be a great speaker without being a good writer.

"Writing Great Speeches" is for the analytical or educated reader that can handle a fast and furious pace. A direct approach on how to research and construct well organized speeches. Should be ranked high on anybody's list of excellent books on public speaking. It is the best book in the "Essence of Public Speaking Series." Excellent guidance on how to start writing a speech where you are knowledgeable on the subject and how to research areas that are not your expertise. Excellent chapter on how to pick exactly the right word and why it is important.

No other book covers demonstrating legitimate creditability as well as Perlman. He focuses in on exactly how to write great speeches. Like a fast moving train you are carried down the track of learning the skills with overpowering intensity.

The Appendix of Aids to Quick Creditability is worth the price of the book. It is a refreshing list of reference books the provide a map to rapidly gaining knowledge on any subject.

If you are like me nearly every book I read is disappointing in its content and /or its clarity and hence we read many books when a subject is important to us. Extremely rare do we find books so insightful and tightly written that we read it many times. These special books are so important that they will always stand out in your memory.This may be that book on public speaking for crafting the speech. ... Read more

Product Description
With over 100,000 copies in print, here, with a new jacket for Lincoln’s bicentennial, is the first volume in The Library of America’s acclaimed, comprehensive edition of Lincoln’s writings, featuring 240 speeches, letters, and drafts charting his rise from rural law practice to national prominence. It includes the full texts of the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates and the House Divided speech, as well as a detailed chronology of Lincoln’s life and helpful explanatory notes prepared by the late Lincoln scholar Don E. Fehrenbacher.
??The companion volume, also available in a bicentennial edition, is Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1859-1865. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

fantastic historical significance

While these are all on the web these texts are certainly an easier way of making notes and bookmarking specific texts. Not to mention, these are of fantastic historical significance and important readings when deciding what to think regarding President Lincoln's point of view regarding specific issues.

Early writings of the great Lincoln
The writings of Lincoln are pervaded not only by an enormous intelligence and great power and feeling for the language, but by a wisdom and humility. Reading just a small part of the speeches and letters collected here gives the feeling nonetheless that the political leaders and the American public of that time were far more demanding, disciplined and intelligent than the public is today. Can you imagine anyone today having the patience to listen to six three- hour debates as was the case with the Lincoln-Douglas debates?
Another aspect of reading this work is simply learning and knowing more being more in the presence of America's greatest President and perhaps most exemplary moral figure. In this sense the feeling is that this volume is for those who truly admire Lincoln and wish to know his thought in greater depth.
Lincoln was not simply America's greatest President he was also the President whose writing and thought were unsurpassed. This volume gives further evidence of the greatness which most will know of from his even more famous works, the Gettysburg Address, and 'The Second Inaugural '.

Lincoln Source Documents in a Gorgeous Printing
The Library of America's collection of original Lincoln source documents in two volumes is a wonderful addition to the library of any person interested in this portion of American history. The two volumes represent the best scholarship available today in terms of organizing and duplicating Lincoln's own words as they are found in personal letters, speech transcriptions, notes, memos, and other forms of written communication. This is a collection that is a fascinating look at the inner thoughts of Lincoln as he progresses from a congressional candidate in the 1850's, then as a candidate for President in 1860, and then as he prosecutes the war of the states until the time of his assassination.

The Library of America represents a rare and welcome to the world of print publishing. Funded from a continuous trust that is structured to keep every single volume perpetually in print, the Library prints only on the finest paper, using only the best inks, and implementing the best binding technology available. These books are true library quality, with ultra-high quality paper from Germany and bindings from the Netherlands, and truly represent the finest book quality typically seen in today's book world. The perpetual trust of the Library nevertheless keeps the price of these volumes at a reasonable level, with most volumes available between $20 and $40 dollars. Once you handle one, you'll undoubtedly see what a real value this series represents.

Lincoln's writings and recorded speeches are incredibly interesting to read. These works provide remarkable insight into this most unusual of people, and posterity is pleased that so much of these items were saved and eventually collated for later review. Can we make ourselves belief that this is largely a self-educated man who writes English prose at a level rarely seen even in the most educated of individuals? Following the logic posed in many of these letters, coupled with the piecing insights into human nature that Lincoln seemed to exude, can give us an experience that extends our thinking and challenges our views. Because Lincoln is canonized in history, we really don't understand the real man all that well. These personal writings of Lincoln help de-mystify the true person behind the persona, and make us see the man, not just the legend.

Great volume culminates in the Lincoln-Douglas debates
Abraham Lincoln was a great President.Where he falls on your list is a private judgment, but most put him at or near the top.It is true that there is a more vocal element of detractors nowadays, but those voices tend to also advocate versions of America that most of us would not recognize nor care to legitimate.This volume begins with Lincoln as a young man of twenty-three beginning political career.

The letters are quite interesting and cover a range of topics.It is interesting to note his private correspondence on various topics such as the Mexican War and compare those notes to his public speeches.While he is clearly a politician and aware of the need to garner votes, he uses his powerful intellect to find the line that will hold to his principles and still be convincing to the electorate.

This volume culminates with the seven famed Lincoln - Douglas debates when those two candidates contended for a seat in the Senate representing Illinois.Remember, this was before Senators were directly elected.These were debates to win popular support, but also to show political viability so when the public selected the legislature, the legislature would choose the preferred candidate for the Senate.These debates received national attention, which pleased both candidates.The format was this: first speaker for one hour, response by the second speaker for an hour and a half, the first speaker responds for a half hour.They alternated who spoke first with each debate.They went after each other directly with challenges, personal attacks, interruptions, and appeals to the crowd.Can you imagine any of our candidates even attempting such a risky format nowadays?

As I read the debates, Douglas seems to be a panderer and clearly supporting slavery in a way that seems odd for someone seeking office in Illinois.However, he was really positioning himself for the Presidency.Stephen Douglas did become Senator while Lincoln did not.However, two years later, Douglas did not get nominated as a candidate for President and Lincoln won the Presidency.

This great volume has a chronology of Lincoln's life and notes on the texts and an index.

#3 in my list of Libary of America books...(of 4)
I bought both volumns of this over the summer.I first bought Libary of America's publication of Jefferson which is a must have.Then Franklin.Those two are extremely good and I highly recommend them to anyoneinterested in raw historical material.

Now as for the volumes on Lincoln,don't get me wrong; they are also extremely good.As with all of thesebooks, it is a rewarding reading experience to peruse collections ofun-edited letters and speeches in their chronological order.

Thesevolumes have every conceivable bit of correspondence imaginable.Lincolnapparently preferred the short letter, as there are several singleparagraph letters to generals on the field and the like.He also wrotewith simplicity and suprising bluntness.Volume 1 has a number of earlyspeeches and famous debates which give you a sense of the lawyer turnedpolitician.These of course are very lengthy.But also in volumes 1 and 2there are numerous short letters which include urgent notes to GeneralMcClellan and others that would have made me quit the post had I been thereceiver!In contrast there are letters revealing Lincolns more sensitivepersonal side.

I'm rating Lincoln's volumes just behind those ofJefferson and Franklin because there are no references detailing thecircumstances for each writing.I felt a little lost not knowing what theimpetus was behind the letters and correspondence.This is a departurefrom the Jefferson and Franklin books, which provide very detailed notes.

Finally I should say that Library of America's books are of very highquality for more than their authorship and reading content.All are boundnicely and printed on bible paper-like acid free paper.They are ofexceptional quality just as books.I would say they are the best qualityavailable.

Additionally, Library of America is a non-profit organizationwith the aim of distributing the work of America's essential writerswithout commercial gain. ... Read more

Product Description
Lincoln measured the promise--and cost--of Americanfreedom in lucid and extraordinarily moving prose. Here in this twovolume set ("Speeches and Writings 1859-1865" and "Speeches andWritings 1832-1858"), are all the significant works, including thecomplete Lincoln-Douglas debates, dozens of speeches, hundreds ofpersonal and political letters, communications to generals in thefield, presidential messages and proclamations, poems, and privatereflections on democracy, slavery, and the meaning of the Civil War'simmense suffering. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

fantastic historical significance

While these are all on the web these texts are certainly an easier way of making notes and bookmarking specific texts. Not to mention, these are of fantastic historical significance and important readings when deciding what to think regarding President Lincoln's point of view regarding specific issues.

Lincoln: Speeches and Writings Volume 2
A must-have and must-read book for all fans of Abraham Lincoln. The collection of writings and speeches from one of the greatest political figures in our history still resound with vibrance and brilliancy well over a hundred years after being penned.

Lincoln's greatness as a good man and his legacy as an astute, capable, and at times, shrewd politician is so well preserved by his writings. This book satisfies both that well-deserved reputation and his legacy as both an orator and author.

Lincoln, I Hardly Knew Ye
I thought I was fairly well informed on Abraham Lincoln but reading his actual words often left me quite surprised. For example, we all know Lincoln freed the slaves with the Emancipation Proclamation. We don't hear so often about his proposed plans to resettle freed slaves in Central America or the Caribbean. This collection is great as it provides a summary of Lincoln's writings before and during the course of the Civil War and shows his progression in thought and leadership. Highly Recommended!

Lincoln Source Documents in a Gorgeous Printing
The Library of America's collection of original Lincoln source documents in two volumes is a wonderful addition to the library of any person interested in this portion of American history. The two volumes represent the best scholarship available today in terms of organizing and duplicating Lincoln's own words as they are found in personal letters, speech transcriptions, notes, memos, and other forms of written communication. This is a collection that is a fascinating look at the inner thoughts of Lincoln as he progresses from a congressional candidate in the 1850's, then as a candidate for President in 1860, and then as he prosecutes the war of the states until the time of his assassination.

The Library of America represents a rare and welcome to the world of print publishing. Funded from a continuous trust that is structured to keep every single volume perpetually in print, the Library prints only on the finest paper, using only the best inks, and implementing the best binding technology available. These books are true library quality, with ultra-high quality paper from Germany and bindings from the Netherlands, and truly represent the finest book quality typically seen in today's book world. The perpetual trust of the Library nevertheless keeps the price of these volumes at a reasonable level, with most volumes available between $24 and $40 dollars. Once you handle one, you'll undoubtedly see what a real value this series represents.

Lincoln's writings and recorded speeches are incredibly interesting to read. These works provide remarkable insight into this most unusual of people, and posterity is pleased that so much of these items were saved and eventually collated for later review. Can we make ourselves belief that this is largely a self-educated man who writes English prose at a level rarely seen even in the most educated of individuals? Following the logic posed in many of these letters, coupled with the piecing insights into human nature that Lincoln seemed to exude, can give us an experience that extends our thinking and challenges our views. Because Lincoln is canonized in history, we really don't understand the real man all that well. These personal writings of Lincoln help de-mystify the true person behind the persona, and make us see the man, not just the legend.

Great volume covering Lincoln's Presidency & the Civil War
This volume provides Lincoln's speeches, writings and selected letters from 1859 through 1865.This period is the year leading up to his election in 1860 through his assassination in 1865.You will get to read amazing letters from the commander-in-chief trying to get his generals to fight and win the war, letters to all kinds of people covering topics public and personal, proclamations suspending habeas corpus and emancipation, his addresses to congress (our State-of-the Union Addresses used to be delivered by letter to Congress), and some of the greatest treasures in American history: the Gettysburg Address and Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address.It is stunning that in all this writing, so much of it powerful and worthwhile, that these two brief speeches so obviously deserve to be engraved in stone for all ages to read and take into their souls.

It is awfully moving to read the material related to the conduct of the Civil War.He was very strong in his determination to destroy the Rebellion, yet he has very touching notes about his sick child and is very human in his communications with intimates.

This volume also has a chronology of Lincoln's life and great notes on the texts.Note particularly the Associated Press copy of the Gettysburg Address that was contemporary with its delivery.The version most of us know is a finished copy prepared for publication.The differences are subtle and not all that important, just interesting to note for style and rhetorical power.

I strongly urge you to have these two volumes on your American History bookshelf.Simply, they are important and you will learn a great deal reading through them. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A great resource
This book was very helpful to me and I would recommend it for any new clinician or student in the Communication Sciences field. ... Read more

Product Description

"We've got some difficult days ahead," civil rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr., told a crowd gathered at Memphis's Clayborn Temple on April 3, 1968. "But it really doesn't matter to me now because I've been to the mountaintop. . . . And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land."

These prohetic words, uttered the day before his assassination, challenged those he left behind to see that his "promised land" of racial equality became a reality; a reality to which King devoted the last twelve years of his life.

These words and other are commemorated here in the only major one-volume collection of this seminal twentieth-century American prophet's writings, speeches, interviews, and autobiographical reflections. A Testament of Hope contains Martin Luther King, Jr.'s essential thoughts on nonviolence, social policy, integration, black nationalism, the ethics of love and hope, and more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

Good ideas, but overly redundant
Dr. King had some great ideas.Aggregating them into one text is a sizable task.But the writings included here are overly redundant.Literally, many of them have exact wording from others.I know that Dr. King had lots of speaking engagements and wrote for many different publications.So I understand why he would borrow from his own words in other works.But why include writings with the same message, sometimes in the exact same words, in a book of *essential* readings?

Also, the works are organized by general topic or philosophy, while a better way would be to group them chronologically to show how Dr. King's thinking changed, and how specific external events and responses influenced his thoughts and writings/speeches.

So even though I want to love anything about MLK Jr., this compendium could be greatlyimproved by reducing it to only include the *actual* essential writings and speeches, the expressions that truly synthesize and detail King's thoughts.

An extensive MLK Collection of Wrtings & Speeches
This is a great treasure for those wishing to develop an overview of the writings and speeches made over Dr. King's tumultuous and productive lifetime.

In many instances, a context is given to situate the original material. This brings Dr. King alive for the citizen of today, who may only come to know this exceptional American through books, or perhaps other media.

Becoming familiar with Dr. King and the movement he led is anintegral part of knowing American history. This book does justice to it's title: "A Testament of Hope."

A Fantastic
Collection of a man who stood up for his values and beliefs. Even more today we need to reflect on his words and return to the dream he called for.

Required Reading For All
I was totally humbled by this book. If it could be made manitory reading for all.....they should pass a law. You will not be the same after reading this book.

"There are just laws and there are unjust laws..." *
Yesterday, the 40th anniversary of MLK's assassination, I spent the better part of the day thumbing through A Testment of Hope.The book is an old friend of mine.I've read and reread it for nearly twenty years now, both privately and with students in at least a dozen classes.

What I like so much about editor James Washington's collection is its comprehensiveness.In a single volume, one finds MLK's thoughts on nonviolence, civil rights and integration, the Vietnam War and poverty, Christianity and social responsibility, and justice and morality.His ideas are conveyed here through essays, sermons, interviews, and lengthy, meaty excerpts from his five books.Everything that one could want is here, including what I personally take to be his very best work:"Letter from a Birmingham Jail" (1963), "Love, Law, and Civil Disobedience" (1961), "A Christmas Sermon on Peace" (1967), "A Time to Break Silence" (1967), the "I Have a Dream" speech (1961), and Stride Toward Freedom's masterful discussion of the tactics and principles of nonviolence (1958).

Today, four decades after his death, the country is still struggling to grow into MLK's vision of reconciliation and nonviolence.One can only imagine how sad he would be at the post-9/11 turn toward militarism the nation has taken, the current wave of sentiment against Latino immigrants, the constant economic disparity between white households and African American ones, or the upswing in hate crimes against Muslims.In re-reading A Testament of Hope, I was reminded yet again of how very much we need a present-day prophet of King's caliber, vision, and courage, and of how very grateful I am that we once had King himself.
________
* "And I submit that the individual who disobeys the law, whose conscience tells him it is unjust and who is willing to accept the penalty by staying in jail until that law is altered, is expressing at the moment the very highest respect for law."From "Love, Law, and Civil Disobedience," p. 49. ... Read more

Product Description
One of the greatest African American leaders and one ofthe most brilliant minds of his time, Fredrick Douglass spoke andwrote with unsurpassed eloquence on almost all the major issuesconfronting the American people during his life.Between 1950 and1975, Phillip S. Foner collected the most important of Douglass'shundreds of speeches, letters, articles, and editorials into animpressive five-volume set, now long out of print.Abridged andcondensed into one volume and supplemented with several importanttexts that Foner did not include, this book presents the mostsignificant, insightful, and elegant short works of Douglass's massiveoeuvre. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

We need a better edition!
Douglass is great--a true American hero--and it's very nice to have a good, affordable single-volume collection of his writings. But be warned that this edition has MANY typographical errors--on nearly every other page--and does not contain the original typographical style, which I think detracts from the experience. Still, it's a very handy reference to have around.

A superb collection of speeches, writings, and reflections.
Frederick Douglas was one of the most important African American leaders of the 19th Century. He was a man who spoke and wrote with an unsurpassed eloquent on the issues confronting the American people during his life. Hiscommentaries ranged from the abolition of slavery to women's rights, Fromthe Civil War to racial lynchings, from American patriotism to blacknationalism. Frederick Douglas: Selected Speeches and Writings wasoriginally edited by Philip S. Foner and has been abridged and adapted inthis superb "The Library of Black America" edition by YuvalTaylor. Frederick Douglas: Selected Speeches And Writings will form a coretitle in any personal, academic, or public library Black Studiescollection. ... Read more

Product Description
On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. stood in front of the Lincoln Memorial looking out over thousands of troubled Americans who had gathered in the name of civil rights and uttered his now famous words, "I have a dream . . ." It was a speech that changed the course of history.

This anniversary edition honors Martin Luther King Jr.'s courageous dream and his immeasurable contribution by presenting his most memorable words in a concise and convenient edition. As Coretta Scott King says in her foreword, "This collection includes many of what I consider to be my husband's most important writings and orations." In addition to the famed keynote address of the 1963 march on Washington, the renowned civil rights leader's most influential words included here are the "Letter from a Birmingham Jail," the essay "Pilgrimage to Nonviolence," and his last sermon, "I See the Promised Land," preached the day before he was assassinated.

Editor James M. Washington arranged the selections chronologically, providing headnotes for each selection that give a running history of the civil rights movement and related events. In his introduction, Washington assesses King's times and significance. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

A PROPHETIC "SOCIAL BIBLE"FOR THE WORLD
This book "I Have a Dream" is indeed a book every human on earth needs to read. My aim to read the book stemmed from the quest of understanding the 'American Dream' and the the victory of Obama as first black american president-elect. After reading the book I became convinced that even though what Dr.Martin Luther King, Jr. prophesied about America has been "Partially fulfilled", there is lot to be done for the world to be seen as one made by God,of God and for all people created of God.

Amazing Collection of Speeches
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is one of America's greatest heroes and this is a collection of his wonderful writings and speeches. Often people stop at "I Have a Dream" but this shows the complete evolution of Dr. King. A wonderful read that has been part of my library for the past 10 years -- and I've read it three times and often use it for reference and store it next to the Bible.

AMERICANS SHOULD REALIZE THIS 'DREAM' TO THE FULLEST!
Dr. Martin Luther King's collection of writings and speeches, "I Have A Dream", brings aspiration to light. The events that surrounded the life and death of this true hero reveals the shameful fact that no matter how great the United States of America is today, it is one country that was nurtured with inhumane machinery: slavery, racism, injustice, Mickey-Mouse freedom, and Mickey-Mouse democracy. I hate to think about it, but it is an honest fact, whichwe should all come to terms with. Nobody can rewrite history.
The 256 pages that is "I Have A Dream" was enough to highlight the wickedness and the violence that were deliberately sustained in America, for a full century, after a bloody Civil War ended her tenacity on slavery.
One question that will always beg for answer is: How on earth did U.S. Presidents who presided over the ruthless color-bar era qualified for those Nobel Peace Prizes that they received? Knowing what life was like in the U.S.A. just a couple of decades ago melts my heart. "I Have A Dream" is a big eye-opener!

The essential King
"I Have a Dream: Writings and Speeches That Changed the World," by Martin Luther King, Jr., is a fine collection of texts by this important figure. The book has been edited by James M. Washington. Coming in at less than 300 pages, this is a concise but meaty book.

Washington includes King's most important texts: the "Letter from Birmingham Jail"; the "I Have a Dream" speech; his Nobel Prize acceptance speech; "My Trip to the Land of Gandhi"; "A Time to Break Silence," his 1967 speech criticizing the United States war in Vietnam, and more. These writings and speeches cover King's great themes: nonviolent resistance, the African-American civil rights movement, etc.

Those seeking a more comprehensive collection of Kings' work should seek out "A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr." also edited by James M. Washington. At more than 700 pages, this is a truly monumental collection, and includes much material not found in "I Have a Dream": the 1965 "Playboy" interview, transcripts of television interviews, and more. But for those who want a shorter text that cuts to the heart of King's life and work, "I Have a Dream" is perfect.

"I Have a Dream" reveals King to be a true Christian prophet, and a man with a global vision. As literature, these texts also show King to be the heir of such American thinkers as Henry David Thoreau and W.E.B. DuBois. Highly recommended.

Excellent introduction to Dr. King's works
This collection of Dr. King's writings includes all the major speeches -- such as I Have A Dream and I See the Promised Land, as well as important writings such as Letter from A Birmingham Jail.It also has great essays on the lessons Dr. King learned from Ghandi and a wonderful introduction from Mrs. King. This is a great collection to get started learning about Dr. King -- from his own pen.I highly reccomend it. ... Read more

Product Description
"The most comprehensive and readable one-volume collection of Lincoln's writings ever published." -David Herbert Donald.

This volume presents nearly 250 of Lincoln's most important speeches, state papers, and letters in their entirety. Here are not only the masterpieces-the Gettysburg Address, the Inaugural Addresses, the 1858 Republican Convention Speech, the Emancipation Proclamation-but hundreds of lesser-known gems. Alfred Kazin has written that Lincoln was "not just the greatest writer among our Presidents...but the most telling and unforgettable of all American 'public' writer-speakers." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Truly great writings
These are the speeches and writings we need to read and remember as representative of the humility and unselfish dedication to our country of a truly great President.

A good one-volume source for the essential Lincoln writings
This book, which is an abridgmment of Basler's larger 8-volume"Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln," is ideal for all students of Lincoln as a quick source for finding Lincoln's most well-known speeches, letters, and other documents.While other collections ofLincoln's writings do exist, Basler's is considered the most definitive. This one-volume edition of that collection makes the most popular andimportant Lincoln documents accessible to a larger group of people. ... Read more

Product Description
Much has been written about Thurgood Marshall, but this is the first book to collect his own words. Here are briefs he filed as a lawyer, oral arguments for the landmark school desegregation cases, investigative reports on race riots and racism in the Army, speeches and articles outlining the history of civil rights and criticizing the actions of more conservative jurists, Supreme Court opinions now widely cited in Constitutional law, a long and complete oral autobiography, and much more. Marshall's impact on American race relations was greater than that of anyone else this century, for it was he who ended legal segregation in the United States. His victories as a lawyer for the NAACP broke the color line in housing, transportation, voting, and schools by overturning the long-established "separate-but-equal" doctrine. But Marshall was attentive to all social inequalities: no Supreme Court justice has ever been more consistent in support of freedom of expression, affirmative action, women's rights, abortion rights, and the right to consensual sex among adults; no justice has ever fought so hard against economic inequality, police brutality, and capital punishment. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Very Informative
A nice collection of writings and presentations by Thurgood. It is dry straightforward reading.Very informative.If you love Thurgood, it's a must read. ... Read more

Product Description
Ranging from finely honed legal argument to dry and sometimes savage humor to private correspondence and political rhetoric of unsurpassed grandeur, the writings collected in this volume are at once the literary testament of the greatest writer ever to occupy the White House and a documentary history of America in Abraham Lincoln's time. They record Lincoln's campaigns for public office; the evolution of his stand against slavery; his pyrotechnic debates with Stephen Douglas; his conduct of the Civil War; and the great public utterances of his presidency, including the Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg Address.

For the first time, the authoritative editions of works by major American novelists, poets, scholars, and essayists collected in the hardcover volumes of The Library of America are being published singly in a series of handsome paperback books. A distinguished writer has contributed an introduction for each volume, which also includes a chronology of the author's life and career, an essay on the text, and notes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

A Comment on Lincoln's Writing Style
After perusing the voluminous annals of Lincoln's writings, scholars and laymen alike are astounded by his ability to set forth his views with clarity and logic in an age noted for for oblique, flourished writing styles reminescent of 18th century dinner invitations from the Queen.We also marvel at his ability to convey complex thoughts and feelings in the style of an accomplished poet.He was indeed a master of the English language worthy of the high esteem for which he is remembered.

However, to my limited knowledge, no one has yet analyzed his writings from the perspective of his profession.He wrote in the style of the lawyer which he was to get the attention of impatient judges and juries who were likely illiterate.He had to appeal to people with little knowledge (including judges of the time), short attention spans, and do it in the least amount of time possible.

A good piece of legal writng is roughly divided into three parts. The first is a statement of the facts, the second an analysis of those facts in the context of applicable law and the third the conclusion (or, in the case of judges), a definitive holding.Lincoln consciously selected each word for a purpose and arranged his arguments in logically ordered paragraphs that ultimately supported, and persuaded others, to agree with his conclusion.

It does not take much time to observe his style just by flipping through the pages of Lincoln's speeches, letters and other writings set forth in the unadulterated versions set forth in the books published by the Library of America.Every piece of writing, including his short notes, begins with a strong topic sentence that sets forth the subject of the remainder of the paragraph without any wasted words. And each paragraph is arranged in an order to support the point he intendes to make.He keeps it simple and directs his writing to one single memorable point.One cannot mistake or misinterpret his ultimate conclusion.And he uses humor and twists of language to make his missives memorable. Neither judges nor juries could retire to contemplate a case without remembering something pleasantly unusual about his mastry of language, a talent that undoubtedly redounded to the benefit of his clients.He was very sucessful at what he did, both professionally and monetarily.

For decades children have memorized the Gettysburg Address and we have all admired the lofty and almost spiritual words of his Second Inaugral Address.

However, I have yet to see a careful analysis of Lincoln't First Inaugral Address and the astounding words he carefully crafted.The speech reads like a legal opinion but with a curious conclusion set forth in the topic sentence of the 13th paragraph.He wrote:

"I hold, that in contemplation of universal law, and of the Constitution, the union of these states is perpetual.Perpetuality is implied, if not expressed, in the fundamental law of all national governments".

That's it. The rest is a description of the nature of a union of states along with an appeal to the Southerners not to make rash decisions. ("Nothing valuable can be lost by taking time.")

When writing a holding of an opinion, judges most always set forth their strongest supporting reasons first and the "lesser" justifications thereafter.And Lincoln was no different.

Lincoln's best argument for his conclusion that the Union could not be dissolved was based on, as he stated, "Universal Law".I wonder how the scholars missed that one.Lincoln would never insert a "throw-away line", particularly when making such a monumental statement.

Academicians shy away from anything that could smack of religion or spirituality.They want "just the facts".And it is an undisputed fact that Lincoln was not a religous man, at least in the sense that he had no interest in any theology and never went to church.Perhaps scholars accept those facts only and disregard Lincoln's actual statement as filler material. At minimum, the fact is that scholars and students of Lincoln have never attempted to understand Lincoln's carefully chosen words.

It appears that Lincoln made his most important decisions while alone and only after hours, days, weeks, months or years of careful thought.Did he arrive at his conclusions solely by the careful application of traditional logic or did he simply wait and listen for an answer?And, if so, from whom?

It would indeed be an interesting adventure to read the Library of America's unadulterated speeches and writings of Lincoln and attmpt to discern what the better angels of his nature were and how he managed to connect with a level of kind forgiveness beyond his own self-taught understanding. Someone having more time and knowledge than me should take Lincoln at his literal word and investigate the meaning of what he said.

The Greatest American
Of all the folks in the storied history of this world of ours, Mr. Lincoln is the one I'd most like to have had the opportunity to meet....this book takes one as close as he or she can get to that imaginary event.

Our Greatest President?
Abraham Lincoln is a giant in American history, but it wasn't until I read his speeches and writings that his wisdom and wit became apparent. This is a man born in the depths of poverty, and who climbed to the very top. The Gettysburg Address, largely ignored when it was first given, has risen to become one of the most profound, definite, and understood explanations of the American dream..."we will witness a new birth of freedom...that government ofthe people, by the people, and for the people will not perish from the earth..." God Bless Lincoln, and God Bless America.

Great Resource
I bought this book as a gift for my husband who has been interested in Linclon ever since reading "Lincoln: The Unknown" by Dale Carnegie.Since receiving the book he has become interested in studying Lincoln's prose to improve his own written communication skills.I've read parts and it is truly fascinating---there are letters to his wife Mary Todd Lincoln and to other notable historical persons (and various others) that help us to see Mr. Lincoln as he really was---kind, clever, quick-witted, and intelligent.

Lincoln the Intellectual
The musty, stoic Lincoln of folklore is brought to life in the pages of this book, and in the best way possible... through his own words. Abraham Lincoln, we discover through his letters and speeches, was first and foremost an intellectual: one can feel his pain as he writes poetry about homesickness and the loss of a close friend to mental illness; one can hear his enthusiasm as he discusses the history of communication and human progress, to such a degree that he goes off on fascinating tangents; one can detect barely-suppressed anger at pro-slavery activists who lynched an abolitionist in 1838, or at the hypocrisy of popular sovereignty when espoused by Stephen Douglas twenty years later. I refer to him here as an intellectual because the defining characteristic that underlies the majority of these letters is the way that Lincoln uses his mind to both understand and make his way through the world he occupied. One can see him exploring new ideas, contemplating contemporary events, attempting to formulate political strategies, and so on; his cerebral nature shines through every page. I can think of no better way to get to know one of our nation's three greatest presidents (along with George Washington and Franklin Roosevelt) than through the pages of this book. ... Read more

Product Description
Similarities and differences between speech and writing have been the subject of innumerable studies, but until now there has been no attempt to provide a unified linguistic analysis of the whole range of spoken and written registers in English. In this widely acclaimed empirical study, Douglas Biber uses computational techniques to analyze the linguistic characteristics of twenty-three spoken and written genres, enabling identification of the basic, underlying dimensions of variation in English. In Variation Across Speech and Writing, six dimensions of variation are identified through a factor analysis, on the basis of linguistic co-occurence patterns. The resulting model of variation provides for the description of the distinctive linguistic characteristic of any spoken or written text and demonstrates the ways in which the polarization of speech and writing has been misleading, and thus enables reconciliation of the contradictory conclusions reached in previous research. ... Read more

Product Description
It's not all in the delivery. Here's expert guidance on how to write a dynamic speech. Splashy slides, confident body language, and a lot of eye contact are fine and well. But if a speech is rambling, illogical, or just plain boring, the impact will be lost.

Now everyone can learn to give powerful, on-target speeches that capture an audience's attention and drive home a message. The key is not just in the delivery techniques, but in tapping into the power of language.

Prepared by an award-winning writer, this authoritative speech-writing guide covers every essential element of a great speech, including outlining and organizing, beginning with a bang, making use of action verbs and vivid nouns, and handling questions from the audience. Plus, the book includes excerpts from some of history's most memorable speeches--eloquent words to contemplate and emulate. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Entertaining
Entertaining.Great Speeches are becoming a lost art.This book is a nice preserver of this soon to be lost art.

Timely and lasting
Even though this book is nearly 10 years old, the fundamentals of a great speech haven't changed much over the years. Each chapter gives an example or two of great historical speeches and points out why the speech worked so well, and how to bring those attributes into your own speeches.

Chapters include:

1. Opportunity Knocks
2. Before You Speak
3. Preparing to Write (one of the most valuable chapters)
4. Outlining and Organizing
5. Beginning Well
6. References
7. Language
8. Say it Right
9. Secrets of the Pros
10. Wisdom of the Ages
11. Get Personal
12. Statistics
13. Closing

The Lost Art of the Great Speech
Lewis Copeland wrote that in the ancient world the "more gifted speakers became the lawmakers and leaders. By the time civilisation flowered in Athens, oratory became the fine art of government and culture". I am a graduate of Dale Carnegie Course but not until I read Dowis' book did I come to fully understand the vital relationship between writer, delivery and mechanics. This book contains practical advise and useful insights from a seasoned writer, presented in an easy-going, personal, conversational style. It is a very readable, interesting, and insightful book. An essential companion for anyone who must prepare speeches. This easy-to-read, sometime rollicking how-to book not only explains basics-and very colorfully so-but also includes a number of the best speeches in history. It reads like a one-to-one tutorial on public speaking...has something to benefit anyone who must speak in public. If there is a more thorough, graceful, and genuinely useful guide to writing and giving speeches, In have not yet to read it. Dowis instructs, entertains, and inspires tips on every phase of speech writing, concrete examples of ways to solve commonn problems, and quotations from great speeches. Digest this book and you will improve your public speaking skills dramatically.

disappointing
based on the reviews, I was hoping for more. This book offers only obvious pieces of advice, and furthermore, the author doesn't seem to have the background to be considered an expert in the field. Perhaps I should have done more research, but I was hoping to read a book by someone that has written significant speeches and not just speeches that were read at business conventions or the local rotary club.
I knew little about speech writing before reading this book, and after reading it, I still know little.

Fantastic- a great resource
Ultimately, what stays with an audience, is the content of your speech.Richard Dowis, a former journalist and retired senior vice president of Manning, Selvage, and Lee Public Relations provides information to help you effectively collect, organize and shape content into powerful speeches.He urges you to consider first the purpose of your speech, what you really want the audience to walk away with.Then, to fit your purpose into the format and time allotted.You must begin by researching your topic, clarifying your purpose, creating an outline and identifying a strong thesis, or unifying idea.When organizing your speech the most important consideration is that it must be logically organized.He identifies several organizational strategies you can use.For example, Chronological order, the "Big Bang" where a shocking thesis is presented up front, and Cause-and-effect which outlines the causes of a problem, describes its effect and suggests a solution.He also provides the following guidance on writing your speech:

1. Begin Well:Your opening should establish rapport with the audience, set the tone, reinforce your credibility and arouse interest in your subject.5 categories of opening are:novelty, dramatic, question, humorous and reference/quote.
2. Watch Your Language:Avoid Jargon and overly complex language.Try instead for a simple elegance.Be yourself.
3. Use Proven Techniques: The Rule of Three:Organize related thoughts into groups of three to make them more memorable and dramatic.Anaphora: repeat words or phrases at the beginning of several sentences.
4. When using statistics:make them interesting and meaningful, express statistics in terms your audience can understand, and avoid using too many raw figures in a row.
5. Closing the Speech:use your closing to reinforce your point, or to reinforce the goal of the speech.Most closings fall into seven categories:Summary, Wrap-up, Direct appeal, Thesis, Reference, Inspirational, and Humorous/Anecdotal.
6. Editing:When editing consider content, organization, style, language and grammar. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Savvy advice on speechwriting
I strongly recommend this book. I'm an experienced speechwriter and I found myself rereading several sections. This should be an indispensable guide for speechwriters at all levels, from beginners to pros. The author gives seasoned and candid advice about such tricky areas as writer-client relations, capturing the speaker's voice, the politics of language, and the realities of the speechwriter's lot. You'll come away with a comprehensive understanding of the frustrations and rewards of the profession.

One Great Book
As a professional speechwriter, this is the one book I turned to most in my younger days. Well written, great examples, logical layout and plain, practical advice for the novice or experienced writer. One of the best books on speechwriting on the market today.

Great How-To Book
I have written a few speeches but wanted some professional information on how to write them and get validation of what I've been doing.I looked at a number of books in the libary and found this one to be the most useful. It's written in a direct style and has lots of good advice.That's why Iended up buying my own copy. ... Read more

Product Description
Ralph J. Bunche: Selected Speeches and Writings is the only collection currently available of speeches and writings many unpublished and previously unavailable of one of this century's foremost African-American political and intellectual leaders.
Bunche was a pioneer in every sense of the word. The first black American to hold a doctorate in political science, Bunche established the political science department at Howard University and co-founded the National Negro Congress. He served as the first African- American section head in the Office of Strategic Services and later moved to the State Department. He played a major part in the delegation that established the United Nations and, when he retired as Under Secretary General, was the highest- ranking black in that organization. In 1950, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and thus became the first black Nobel laureate.
Bunche's thinking and writing was broad, ranging from the political left to the center. Early works flirt with socialist or even Bolshevist ideas, while later works maintained that a flawed American democracy was better than an impending threat of Nazi-influenced fascism. Bunche was one of the first African Americans to do academic work in Africa, forcing him to think through notions of colonialism and class that would influence his work at the United Nations. Although his passion for peace and civil rights never faltered, his relationship with American black movements vascillated from an early embrace of radicalism to a significant distancing during the mid-sixties to a final rapprochement during the last years of his life. A monumental contribution, Ralph J. Bunche: Selected Speeches and Writings reasserts the thinking of a great American whose views are entirely relevant to a generation still striving for the world Bunche envisioned.
Charles P. Henry is Associate Professor of African American Studies at the University of California, Berkeley.
From the book:
"I abhor racism as a dangerous virus, whether it is spread by white or black peoples. I seek total integration, which to me means the Negro taking his place in the very mainstream of American life . . . . My ancestors have contributed very much to the development of this country and therefore I have a vested interest in it that I intend to realize and protect."
"It seems painfully clear to me that there is no possibility in the affluent, highly industrialized and technological white-majority American society for anyone to be at once black, separate and equal."
"The colonial system in its modern version, implicitly arrogant and self-serving, was instituted and perpetuated chiefly by self-righteous and superior- minded Europeans. Its positive achievements notwithstanding, colonialism's evil legacies will bedevil the world for years to come."
... Read more

Product Description
...an excellent resource for new or seasoned speech-language professionals and audiologists ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

waste of money
this book was a disapointment. it was very basic and did not help much. i wish it would have more examples ... Read more

Product Description
This introductory course not only serves as a textbook but also as a guide which, through a variety of routes (etymology, semantics, linguistics, graphics and culture), can help you think in Chinese.The aim of this course is to present the Chinese language as it is: a world of signs with their origin and the logic of their composition, represented by the most frequently used ones. The 400 characters featured in Volume 1 will enable you to recognize at least 70% of the characters used in books and newspapers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A Key to Chinese Speech and Writing
Works well in a classroom sitation where you have a native speaker teaching/leading the class.The book was originally written in French, then translated to the English.

Surving Mandarin Learning on the Mainland
I lived in China for about 2 years and it was often difficult to find books that taught the Chinese Language for a Western Mindset.A friend found these books break down the language into segments where you learn the most common characters and then how the characters you learn form new words.In the last few years there might be better books that have come out that teach language learning for Mandarin but when I left in 2002, there was nothing I found that took this approach.There are companion Cassettes but I am unaware if they are available here.

probably one of the best
I bought this book in Beijing along with the 2 cassettes.The fact that it is available on Amazon attests to its universal appeal. I played the cassettes so much, they both broke.This is an excellent resource for anyone learning Mandarin.The lessons are clear, concise and practical.This book and cassettes are a stellar addition for a self-learner's library or anyone in a first year course. I am trying to hunt down the cassettes and even without them the book is so well put together that I find it invaluable. ... Read more

Product Description
This is the definitive single-volume collection of Abraham Lincoln's speeches and writings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An Excellent One-Volume Collection of Lincoln's Writing


BOOK REVIEW: 'The Language of Liberty': Perhaps the Best One-Volume Collection of Lincoln's Writings

Reviewed By David M. Kinchen


With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan -- to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations. -- Abraham Lincoln, Second Inaugural address, March 4, 1865.

[...].

If you want to explore in detail Abraham Lincoln's speeches and other writings, you could find a library with the definitive eight-volume "The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln," edited by Roy P. Basler and published in 1953 by Rutgers University Press or -- a far more practical approach -- you could buy and read the expanded Bicentennial Edition of Joseph R. Fornieri's "The Language of Liberty: The Political Speeches and Writings of Abraham Lincoln" (Regnery, 829 pages, $34.95).

Fornieri, an associate professor of political science at Rochester Institute of Technology, is a noted Lincoln scholar and I found his notes and commentaries very useful as I read this book. Fornieri writes in the preface to this special edition that the book was originally designed for students in his political science courses at RIT. He adds that the book will also appeal to "the Lincoln aficionado and scholar alike."

Most people won't read this doorstop of a book from cover to cover, but it's a wonderful reference book since it contains both inaugural addresses, Lincoln's proclamations and the complete text of the Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 that propelled Lincoln to the national spotlight and the Republican nomination for President two years later.

This Lincoln Douglas debates -- seven of them held at Ottawa, Freeport, Jonesboro, Charleston, Galesburg, Quincy and Alton, Illinois in the summer and fall of 1858 -- are included in their entirety. Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas were, respectively, the Republican and Democratic candidates for Senator from Illinois. In those days, before the direct election of senators authorized by the 17th Amendment to the Constitution adopted in 1913, state legislators chose senators. Douglas won the seat, despite the widespread belief that Lincoln bested him in the debates.

Lincoln's famous Feb. 27, 1860 speech at the Cooper Union in New York is also included. Many Lincoln scholars believe that this speech nailed the nomination for Lincoln later that year at the GOP convention in Chicago. The "home field advantage" for Lincoln in Chicago didn't hurt, either, Fornieri notes.

Most other collections present Lincoln's speeches and writings in a substantially edited form. Fornieri takes a different approach, providing a comprehensive selection of Lincoln's most important speeches and writings -- including his wonderful letters -- in their entirety. To make the book easier to follow for the lay reader -- and even the Lincoln scholar -- it's conveniently divided both chronologically and thematically into five periods/chapters from 1832-1865. A final chapter offers a compilation of Lincoln's speeches and writings on the theme of religion and politics.

Since context is all important, Fornieri supplies clearly written and very imformative head-notea, which place Lincoln's words in context for the reader. Too, each period/chapter includes a concise historical, political, and biographical overview of the major events in Lincoln's life and the life of the nation. Since most people need help with the crucial terms, dates, events and issues of the Civil War, Fornieri helpfully supplies them.

The final section of the book discusses Lincoln's Political Faith, which includes an offering of his public and private utterances on religion, and a definition of this political faith based upon the first principles of the Declaration of Independence. The author also furnishes a selected bibliography of secondary sources for further reading on various subjects related to Lincoln's life and career.

Naturally, there is a comprehensive index. If you look up the Gettysburg Address, you'll find it on Pages 684-685, with a note by Fornieri telling us that the principal speaker on Nov. 19, 1863 was not the President, but the distinguished -- and long-winded -- orator Edward Everett. His speech lasted two hours, compared to three minutes for Lincoln's immortal speech. If I had to pick one single piece of writing by Lincoln -- and he wrote everything himself -- it would be difficult to find one better than Lincoln's speech that November day.

Fornieri's beautifully printed and bound book is a wonderful tribute to Lincoln in this, the Bicentennial Year of his birth in Hardin County Kentucky on Feb. 12, 1809. I recommend it without reservation.

... Read more

Product Description
Speeches from the last three weeks of the life of this outstanding leader of the oppressed Black nationality and of the working class in the United States. A large part is material previously unavailable, with some in print for the first time. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

A must have
Anyone with an interest in Black History should read this book.Talk about an eloquent speaker!

Reading Malcolm Xfor yourself
Today Malcolm X can be seen everywhere from t-shirts to U.S. postage stamps. Most people have an opinion about him. But not nearly as many have heard/read his actual words. This collection of speeches is an excellent way to rectify that. This book takes the reader virtually to Malcolm's last words spoken in public two days before his [...].
The collection includes speeches, interviews, panel discussions, and gives the reader a rich and genuine undertanding of Malcolm X in his final days as a statesman and revolutionary leader.
His internationalist view comes through in "Not just an American problem, but a world problem " He defines the Black Muslim movement, and the critical importance of education and critical thinking. This is a must read.

An outstanding book.
An outstanding collection of speeches from the important last year of Malcolm's life.This is a must read for any student of U.S. history from any point of view.It will be most helpful to to those looking to change the status quo.

Well edited and indexed.Excellent photos.A well put together book.

Raul Gonzalez

February 1965
This is the best book of Malcolms speeches from that last period in his life when he was most evolved. A must have!!!!!!!!!!

Great book on who Malcolm X is and his thoughts
This book is badly needed for people who are still stuck on the NOI days of malcolm. In 1964 on, he became a true sunni muslim and activist for the human rights of African Americans in the USA and the struggle for human rights abroad.This book surveys his last speeches and interviews in 1965.You will know who he evolved into and why we muslims call him the Shahid al Amrika the American Muslim Martyr. ... Read more