Presidents and Their Pens

Presidents and Their Pens: The Story of White House Speechwriters explores 23 presidencies through the detailed analysis of speeches including LincolnΓÇÖs Gettysburg Address, Teddy RooseveltΓÇÖs ΓÇ£Big StickΓÇ¥ speech, EisenhowerΓÇÖs farewell to the nation, and Bill ClintonΓÇÖs compassionate words in the wake of tragedy. Confidant and wordsmith to five Republican presidents (Eisenhower, Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and George H.W. Bush), professor of language and noted historian James C. Humes tells how and why presidential speeches have marked milestones in our nationΓÇÖs history, from Washington through Obama. Readers will find out how FDR brought down the house with humor, how ΓÇ£Give ΓÇÿem hellΓÇ¥ Harry Truman planned his Whistle-Stop Tours, and how Ronald Reagan defied his advisors to make history at the Berlin Wall. Presenting stories of greatness as well as tragically unfulfilled promise, Presidents and Their Pens also features an introduction by author and historian Julie Nixon Eisenhower.