The Best Presidential Writing: From 1789 to the Present, Fehrman Craig

From the early years of our nations history, when George Washington wrote his humble yet powerful Farewell Address, to our current age, when Barack Obama delivered his moving speech on the fiftieth anniversary of the Selma-to-Montgomery marches, Americas presidents have upheld a tradition of exceptional writing. Now, for the first time, the greatest presidential writings in history are united in one monumental treasury: the very best campaign orations, early autobiographies, presidential speeches, post-presidential reflections, and much more.

In these pages, we see not only the words that shaped our nation, like Abraham Lincolns Emancipation Proclamation and Franklin D. Roosevelts Infamy speech, but also the words of young politicians claiming their place in our history, including excerpts from Woodrow Wilsons Congressional Government and Obamas Dreams from My Father, and the words of mature leaders reflecting on their legacies, including Harry S. Trumans Memoirs and George W. Bushs Decision Points. We even see hidden sides of the presidents that the public rarely glimpses: noted outdoorsman Teddy Roosevelts great passion for literature or sunny Ronald Reagans piercing childhood memories of escorting home his alcoholic father.

Encompassing notable favorites like Lincolns Gettysburg Address and John F. Kennedys Inaugural Address as well as lesser-known texts like Thomas Jeffersons Notes on the State of Virginia and James Polks candid White House diary, The Best Presidential Writing showcases Americas presidents as thinkers, citizens, and leaders.