"In Our Own Words"

[H2O Man]

My daughter had a few minutes before her ride came after basketball practice today. She walked about half a block, to an antique store that also sells used books, and bought me a nice gift.

It's a collection of "extraordinary speeches of the American Century," edited by Senator Robert Torricelli (D-NJ), with Andrew Carroll. It features a foreword by Doris Kearns Goodwin, one of my favorite historians. An added bonus is that Senator Torricelli autographed the book to one of his staff members. Odd how it ended up in my hands, eh?

On the back cover, Stephen Ambrose writes, "The most wonderful thing about this extraordinary country is its diversity. The speakers who are part of Senator Torricelli's selection of great American speeches are men and women who are white and black, yellow and red, old and young, Jews, Christians, Muslims, socialists and capitalists, and many more ...."

Robert Shrum, the former speech writer for Ted Kennedy, says the book "is history at its best, because it is neither filtered nor synthesized but is presented in the words of the speakers themselves."

It opens with a speech from 12-31-1899, and then presents a collection from each decade, up to 1999. There are Native Americans, social activists, fear-mongers, and more, adding up to over 150 important speeches.

Obviously, I haven't finished it yet -- it's about 450 pages. But one of the things I'm finding fascinating is a point Doris Kearns Goodwin makes: the nature of the speeches changes as technology makes advances. The earlier speeches contain a good bit more imagery, as "the literary quality of the speech was considered essential." She points out that people would walk for miles to hear a good speech or debate, and that the best tended to be reproduced in newspapers. When the radio become a common means of communication, "speeches tended to take on a more conversationa; tone, as speakers looked for everyday words, concrete examples, and homely analogies they might use in an informal talk with one or two of their friends." And then, of course, came television, with its emphasis on image.

It's interesting to think how the internet has and may continue to create changes in communications. On one hand, there is "youtube," which allows for film clips; on the other hand, there is also an emphasis on the written word, including on forums such as DU.

Fascinating book.

[sui generis]

1. oh yes - some amazing speeches in that book

The best of our shared humanity is represented there. It should be required reading for every high school civics class.

[H2O Man]

3. I agree.

Outstanding works in it. Perfect for high school.

[brer cat]

2. It can certainly be uplifting to hear

a great speach, but I always prefer the written word. My love of reading makes me value that content above image. That said, our new President-Elect certainly has a way with both words and imagery. He is inspiring to see and read.

Enjoy your treasure, H2O Man.

[H2O Man]

4. Thanks!

Books open new worlds to us. They give us the opportunity to "converse" with the best minds from different eras.

I think that Obama combines the strengths of the older, pre-radio/television public speakers, with the best qualities of the newer forms of communication. It is evident that he has studied the techniques of others. It always makes me smile when I hear him using phrases from Frederick Douglas or Malcolm X.