The real benefit of American Orations is to hear directly from leaders from 1858 through 1881 unfiltered by modern viewpoints, interpretations and rationalizations.
High Point: Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address
Low Point: The realization that these speeches directly contradict the revisionist histories being pushed in the 21st century.
Editor: Alexander Johnston
Publication Date: 1884
Genre: History
Project Gutenberg: Not available
LibriVox: Not available
Movie/TV Adaptation: None
American Orations is a three-volume set containing speeches of American leaders from the 18th and 19th century. This book, Volume 3, covers the period of 1858 through 1881. Published in 1884, the book provides a viewpoint of American history uncolored by today’s perspectives.
The volume includes speeches from Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, Stephen Douglas, Henry Clay and many others who helped direct and influence events during a pivotal period of the American nation. Some are familiar to us in the 21st century, such as Lincoln’s Gettysburg address. Even those from speakers with whom the modern reader may not be acquainted provide fascinating insight into secession, the conduct of the American civil war, and reconstruction and recovery.
Of particular interest are speeches presented in Congress during 1860 and 1861 from representatives of both northern and southern states. These orations clearly delineate the aims and reasoning of both sides of the conflict.
The real benefit of American Orations is hearing directly from the period’s leaders unfiltered by modern viewpoints, interpretations and rationalizations.
