5.0 out of 5 stars
Thoughtful, Meaningful, and A Reason to Reflect, January 1, 2012
This review is from: The Greatest American Speeches: The Stories and transcripts of the words that changed our history (Hardcover)
None of us has a
choice as to the nation we are born, but we can take the time to learn
about some of the people who have crafted that country. I am proud to
have been born an American and I found this book interesting and worth
the time to ponder the communication found over a 200 year period.
Speeches
can have meaning, or be immediately dismissed as self serving. They
can inspire, anger, encourage or frustrate us. As I go through life, I
become more cynical as more people seem to be less than one hopes.
This
2006 collection of 44 messages offers a balance of opinions,
perspectives and time. While some of these people have instant name
recognition and others are less well-known, the stories are well
crafted, to the point and reason for reflection.
1. Founders of America - John Winthrop , Benjamin Franklin, Patrick Henry
2.
US Presidents - Washington, Jefferson, Monroe, Madison, Lincoln, T
Roosevelt, Wilson, F Roosevelt, Truman, Kennedy, LB Johnson, Nixon,
Ford, Reagan, Clinton, GW Bush
3. Civil Rights Activists over the
centuries -Elizabeth Stanton, Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglas, John
Brown, Booker T Washington, Crystal Eastman, Martin Luther King, Jr,
Malcolm X
4. Native Americans- Crazy Horse
5. Athletes - Lou Gehrig, Muhammad Ali
6. Orators - James Blaine, Clarence Darrow, the Space Speeches, Elie Wiesel, Joseph McCarthy, Robert Kennedy, Rudy Giuliani
7. Generals - Patton, MacArthur
8. Innovators - Frank Loyd Wright, Oppenheimer
9. 1st Ladies - Eleanor Roosevelt, Barbara Bush
I
may have placed a name in a category or topic that perhaps could be
listed elsewhere, but the intent was to encourage readers to consider
this book. Some of the topics covered are not the ones expected, but
clearly have become part of the evolving place called America.
I
personally DO NOT AGREE with a number of the messages communicated, but
the collection of these people and the times they experienced, lived in
and shared are reason to reflect and consider.
As always, feedback is always welcome
Dr. John Hogan CHE CHA
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Hogan Hospitality
