Description
This is an anthology of the top 100 American speeches of the twentieth century, as determined in the nationwide survey of communication scholars conducted at the end of 1999. Respondents were asked to judge speeches on two main criteria: rhetorical artistry and historical impact. The survey received considerable press coverage, and the website that houses the survey results gets hundreds of hits weekly. The major attraction of the book for an academic/higher education market - full, accurate texts of all 100 of the top speeches of the 20th century - should make it at least equally appealing for the trade market. It should remain the authoritative volume of 20th century speeches well into the 21st century.
About the Author
Stephen E. Lucas is Evjue-Bascom Professor in the Humanities, Department of Communication Arts, at University of Wisconsin. Martin J. Medhurst is Distinguished Professor of Rhetoric and Communication at Baylor University.
Reviews
"Words of a Century is simply the best anthology of its kind. It is edited by two of the best rhetorical critics in the business, and the speeches were chosen on the basis of their artistry and impact through a survey of 137 communication scholars. The headnotes are insightful and historically accurate, and the texts have been painstakingly authenticated--a rarity in such works. There is no comparable collection of great American speeches. No serious student of rhetoric should be without it."--J. Michael Hogan, Pennsylvania State University "Moments of political crisis beget some of the best and most memorable instances of political oratory. This magnificently researched and carefully annotated collection reminds us just how close the connection is between our shared political life and our public speech. This volume is a unique and invaluable resource for students and scholars alike on the history, politics, and oratory of the twentieth century."--Mary E. Stuckey, Georgia State University
Book Information
ISBN 9780195168051
Author Stephen E. Lucas
Format Paperback
Page Count 704
Imprint Oxford University Press Inc
Publisher Oxford University Press Inc
Weight(grams) 1066g
Dimensions(mm) 191mm * 231mm * 25mm
About the Author
Stephen E. Lucas is Evjue-Bascom Professor in the Humanities, Department of Communication Arts, at University of Wisconsin. Martin J. Medhurst is Distinguished Professor of Rhetoric and Communication at Baylor University.
Reviews
"Words of a Century is simply the best anthology of its kind. It is edited by two of the best rhetorical critics in the business, and the speeches were chosen on the basis of their artistry and impact through a survey of 137 communication scholars. The headnotes are insightful and historically accurate, and the texts have been painstakingly authenticated--a rarity in such works. There is no comparable collection of great American speeches. No serious student of rhetoric should be without it."--J. Michael Hogan, Pennsylvania State University "Moments of political crisis beget some of the best and most memorable instances of political oratory. This magnificently researched and carefully annotated collection reminds us just how close the connection is between our shared political life and our public speech. This volume is a unique and invaluable resource for students and scholars alike on the history, politics, and oratory of the twentieth century."--Mary E. Stuckey, Georgia State University
Book Information
ISBN 9780195168051
Author Stephen E. Lucas
Format Paperback
Page Count 704
Imprint Oxford University Press Inc
Publisher Oxford University Press Inc
Weight(grams) 1066g
Dimensions(mm) 191mm * 231mm * 25mm
