All the Presidents' Words [Hardcover]

Carol Gelderman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1997

Traces the rise and history of the "rhetorical presidency," offering analytical profiles of the presidents from FDR to Clinton, and discusses how important presidential speeches were created, the changing role of speechwriters, and the influence of speeches in formulating policy.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Rhetoric has always been first among the political arts that are required in a republic, and the role of U.S. president, since the institution's inception, has always relied on a rhetorician's talent. Yet Carol Gelderman is right in thinking that the modern presidency is distinctly different in role accorded to words and the folks who write them. Gone is the importance of eloquence and exposition. Today "spin" and staying "on message" are the aims of the various tropes and topoi peddled by speechwriters. Gelderman expertly traces the way words and speeches have shaped the modern presidency, from the Truman Doctrine to the "End of Welfare As We Know It." In an accessible yet learned style, All the Presidents' Words serves as an alternative history of the executive office where "what the President says" signifies "who he was" to America.

From Library Journal

The dichotomy between words and actions, speech and deed, image and reality in the modern presidency is explored in this intriguing book. As Gelderman (English, Univ. of New Orleans) examines the role of presidential speech writers from FDR to Clinton, a pattern emerges: successful presidents depend on speech writers to help clarify their visions and policies; less successful presidents relegate the function to mere image managers, an approach dating from Nixon. Subsequent presidents generally have overlooked the intrinsic link between policymaking and speech writing. Extremely insightful, this should be required reading for presidents, their advisers, and the public.?William D. Pederson, Louisiana State Univ., Shreveport
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 221 pages
• Publisher: Walker & Company; First Edition edition (January 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802713181
• ISBN-13: 978-0802713186
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,555,806 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for anyone who votes, November 17, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: All the Presidents' Words (Hardcover)

Gelderman's brilliant book should be required for anyone who cares about public policy. The author offers insight as to the who, the how and the why of those who actually craft the words and thoughts that gush forth from our presidents' mouths. Anyone who watches CSPAN will want to keep a copy handy.