The history of the world as witnessed through the most inspiring,
rousing, and memorable speeches ever given.
Throughout history, passionate orators have rallied nations, challenged
accepted beliefs, and changed the course of history. Colin Salter has
identified one-hundred of history's most inspirational, momentous, and
thought-provoking speeches from ancient Rome and Athens to the 21st
century and puts them into context, telling the stories behind the words
that made history.
A celebration of the power of spoken rhetoric at its finest, this book
profiles the words of the world's greatest public speakers. The speeches
covered span the spectrum from stirring calls to arms to impassioned
pleas for peace, along with speeches that marked major historical events
such as the abolition of slavery, women achieving the right to vote, and
the expansion of civil rights. Each speech features a concise
introduction along with detailed analysis accompanied by key
illustrations and photographs.
Highlighted speeches include: Elizabeth I's speech in preparation of the
Spanish Armada (1588), Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I a Woman" (1851),
Lincoln's Gettysburg Address (1863), Franklin D. Roosevelt, "Only thing
we have to fear is fear itself" (1933), Winston Churchill, "Blood, Sweat
and Tears" (1940), Martin Luther King, "I Have a Dream" (1963), Harvey
Milk's "Hope Speech" (1978), Margaret Thatcher's "The Lady's not for
Turning" (1980), Nelson Mandela on his release from prison (1990), among
many more.
