My Fellow Americans
Presidents and Their Inaugural Addresses
Published on 3. February 2025
Book
Hardback
656 pages
978-0-19-764499-7 (ISBN)
Description
Introduced by presidential historian Ted Widmer, this work offers both the original texts and insightful essays by leading historians on each of the presidential inaugural addresses--from George Washington to Joseph Biden.
Every four years, the incoming president of the United States delivers an inaugural address in a tradition that dates back to 1789, with the first inauguration of George Washington. The address tells Americans--and peoples around the world--what the country has been and what it has the potential to become. In a speech freighted with importance, they express their fears, their hopes, and their most personal aspirations for the nation and for democracy.
This work brings together all of the inaugural addresses--from George Washington's first in 1789 through Joseph Biden's in 2021. What distinguishes it from other compilations of inaugural addresses are brief, original essays by leading scholars, speechwriters, historians, biographers, and editors of presidential papers that contextualize the speech within the presidential administration that followed. Each of the contributors explores what a president expected to be dealing with when entering the highest office in the land and what he hoped to do for the country. The authors examine decisions the president made and how this impacted the nation's trajectory. They also reflect on how the address relates to the president's legacy in and out of office. The essays also offer distinctive approaches: some consider the political, economic, and military status of the country; others the composition of the address itself; and still others the personal circumstances of the president at the time of his inauguration.
Covering over 230 of years of American history, My Fellow Americans captures a snapshot of America at unique points in time, with perceptive commentaries by America's finest presidential historians and a broad-ranging introduction by Ted Widmer.
Every four years, the incoming president of the United States delivers an inaugural address in a tradition that dates back to 1789, with the first inauguration of George Washington. The address tells Americans--and peoples around the world--what the country has been and what it has the potential to become. In a speech freighted with importance, they express their fears, their hopes, and their most personal aspirations for the nation and for democracy.
This work brings together all of the inaugural addresses--from George Washington's first in 1789 through Joseph Biden's in 2021. What distinguishes it from other compilations of inaugural addresses are brief, original essays by leading scholars, speechwriters, historians, biographers, and editors of presidential papers that contextualize the speech within the presidential administration that followed. Each of the contributors explores what a president expected to be dealing with when entering the highest office in the land and what he hoped to do for the country. The authors examine decisions the president made and how this impacted the nation's trajectory. They also reflect on how the address relates to the president's legacy in and out of office. The essays also offer distinctive approaches: some consider the political, economic, and military status of the country; others the composition of the address itself; and still others the personal circumstances of the president at the time of his inauguration.
Covering over 230 of years of American history, My Fellow Americans captures a snapshot of America at unique points in time, with perceptive commentaries by America's finest presidential historians and a broad-ranging introduction by Ted Widmer.
Reviews / Votes
Inaugurations matter. They set an administration's tenor and tone and mark moments in time. Finally, there is a book equal to their importance. Ranging from George Washington to Joe Biden and featuring a true all-star roster of historians, My Fellow Americans offers every student of American history something to chew over and much to learn, as it traces the growth, trials, crises, and accomplishments--and yes, the first official words--of the two-plus centuries of leaders who have held the nation's highest office. * Jeffrey A. Engel, Center for Presidential History, Southern Methodist University * An all-star cast of historians walk us through some of the most important presidential speeches in American history--the inaugural speeches that launch their terms in office. An indispensable guide to political history. * Julian Zelizer, Princeton University * Singh's volume devotes less attention to corresponding inaugural activities but is a handy reference that will be especially valuable to students of presidential rhetoric. * J. R. Vile, Choice *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 163 mm
Thickness: 50 mm
Weight
1062 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-764499-7 (9780197644997)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
11/2024
OUP eBook
€29.49
Available for download
E-Book
11/2024
OUP eBook
€29.49
Available for download
Persons
Yuvraj Singh lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. My Fellow Americans is his first published work.
Ted Widmer is Distinguished Lecturer at Macaulay Honors College, City University of New York. He is the author and editor of numerous books on the presidency, including Lincoln on the Verge: Thirteen Days to Washington; Campaigns: A Century of Presidential Races; and American Speeches: Political Oratory from Abraham Lincoln to Bill Clinton. He served as a speechwriter and senior adviser in the Clinton White House.
Ted Widmer is Distinguished Lecturer at Macaulay Honors College, City University of New York. He is the author and editor of numerous books on the presidency, including Lincoln on the Verge: Thirteen Days to Washington; Campaigns: A Century of Presidential Races; and American Speeches: Political Oratory from Abraham Lincoln to Bill Clinton. He served as a speechwriter and senior adviser in the Clinton White House.
Content
Preface- Yuvraj Singh
List of Contributors
Introduction- Ted Widmer
1. George Washington: First Inaugural Address
2. Inaugurator: George Washington's First Inaugural Address by Stephen H. Browne
3. George Washington: Second Inaugural Address
4. The American Cincinnatus: The Second Inaugural Address of George Washington by Kevin Butterield
5. John Adams: Inaugural Address
6. The Colossus of Independence: The Inaugural Address of John Adams by Rhonda Barlow
7. Thomas Jefferson: First Inaugural Address
8. The Sage of Monticello: The First Inaugural Address of Thomas Jefferson by Peter S. Onuf
9. Thomas Jefferson: Second Inaugural Address
10. The Man of the People: The Second Inaugural Address of Thomas Jefferson by Annette Gordon-Reed
11. James Madison: First Inaugural Address
12. The Father of the Constitution: The First Inaugural Address of James Madison by Stuart Eric Leibiger
13. James Madison: Second Inaugural Address
14. The First Wartime President: The Second Inaugural Address of James Madison by J. C. A. Stagg
15. James Monroe: First Inaugural Address
16. The Era of Good Feelings: The First Inaugural Address of James Monroe by Daniel F. Preston
17. James Monroe: Second Inaugural Address
18. The Last Cocked Hat: The Second Inaugural Address of James Monroe by Sandra Moats
19. John Quincy Adams: Inaugural Address
20. The Corrupt Bargain: The Inaugural Address of John Quincy Adams by C. James Taylor
21. Andrew Jackson: First Inaugural Address
22. Calm Before the Storm: The First Inaugural Address of Andrew Jackson by Harry L. Watson
23. Andrew Jackson: Second Inaugural Address
24. Old Hickory: The Second Inaugural Address of Andrew Jackson by Thomas Coens
25. Martin Van Buren: Inaugural Address
26. The Little Magician: The Inaugural Address of Martin Van Buren by Michael J. Gerhardt
27. William Henry Harrison: Inaugural Address
28. Old Tippecanoe: The Inaugural Address of William Henry Harrison by Daniel Walker Howe
29. John Tyler: Address Upon Assuming the Office of President of the United States
30. The President Without a Party: John Tyler's Address Upon Assuming the Office of President of the United States by Christopher J. Leahy
31. James K. Polk: Inaugural Address
32. Dark Horse: The Inaugural Address of James K. Polk by Walter R. Borneman
33. Zachary Taylor: Inaugural Address
34. Old Rough and Ready: The Inaugural Address of Zachary Taylor by Michael F. Holt
35. Millard Fillmore: Announcement to Congress of the Death of President Taylor
36. 'The Last Whig: Millard Fillmore's Announcement to Congress of the Death of President Taylor by Claude Welch
37. Franklin Pierce: Inaugural Address
38. Handsome Frank: The Inaugural Address of Franklin Pierce by Peter A. Wallner
39. James Buchanan: Inaugural Address
40. Doughface: The Inaugural Address of James Buchanan by Jean H. Baker
41. Abraham Lincoln: First Inaugural Address
42. Trying to Stave off War: The First Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln by David S. Reynolds
43. Abraham Lincoln: Second Inaugural Address
44. The Great Uniter: The Second Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln by Richard John Carwardine
45. Andrew Johnson: Address Upon Assuming the Office of President of the United States
46. On Opposite Ends: Andrew Johnson's Address Upon Assuming the Office of President of the United States by Michael Les Benedict
47. Ulysses S. Grant: First Inaugural Address
48. The Hero as President: The First Inaugural Address of Ulysses S. Grant by Joan Waugh
49. Ulysses S. Grant: Second Inaugural Address
50. "Errors of judgement, not of intent": The Second Inaugural Address of Ulysses S. Grant by John Marszalek
51. Rutherford B. Hayes: Inaugural Address
52. The End of Reconstruction: The Inaugural Address of Rutherford B. Hayes by Dustin McLochlin
53. James A. Garfield: Inaugural Address
54. The Preacher President: The Inaugural Address of James A. Garfield by Charles W. Calhoun
55. Chester A. Arthur: Address Upon Assuming the Office of President of the United States
56. "Chet Arthur? President of the United States? Good God!": Chester A. Arthur's Address Upon Assuming the Office of President of the United States by Walter Nugent
57. Grover Cleveland: First Inaugural Address
58. "A fine man, a grand man": The First Inaugural Address of Grover Cleveland by Mark W. Summers
59. Benjamin Harrison: Inaugural Address
60. Little Ben: The Inaugural Address of Benjamin Harrison by Allan B. Spetter
61. Grover Cleveland: Second Inaugural Address
62. Grover the Good: The Second Inaugural Address of Grover Cleveland by Matthew Algeo
63. William McKinley: First Inaugural Address
64. The Front Porch Campaign: The First Inaugural Address of William McKinley by Christopher Capozzola
65. William McKinley: Second Inaugural Address
66. The Imperial Presidency: The Second Inaugural Address of William McKinley by Christopher McKnight Nichols
67. Theodore Roosevelt: Inaugural Address
68. The Bully Pulpit: The Inaugural Address of Theodore Roosevelt by Jean Yarbrough
69. William Howard Taft: Inaugural Address
70. Between Giants: The Inaugural Address of William Howard Taft by Jonathan Lurie
71. Woodrow Wilson: First Inaugural Address
72. The Schoolmaster: The First Inaugural Address of Woodrow Wilson by Robert A. Enholm
73. Woodrow Wilson: Second Inaugural Address
74. The Eve of War: The Second Inaugural Address of Woodrow Wilson by John Milton Cooper
75. Warren G. Harding: Inaugural Address
76. Return to Normalcy: The Inaugural Address of Warren G. Harding by James D. Robenalt
77. Calvin Coolidge: Inaugural Address
78. Cool Cal: The Inaugural Address of Calvin Coolidge by Amity Shlaes
79. Herbert Hoover: Inaugural Address
80. The Great Humanitarian: The Inaugural Address of Herbert Hoover by Kendrick A. Clements
81. Franklin D. Roosevelt: First Inaugural Address
82. Fear Itself: The First Inaugural Address of Franklin D. Roosevelt by Cynthia M. Koch
83. Franklin D. Roosevelt: Second Inaugural Address
84. "One-third of a Nation...": The Second Inaugural Address of Franklin D. Roosevelt by David M. Kennedy
85. Franklin D. Roosevelt: Third Inaugural Address
86. Pathbreaker: The Third Inaugural Address of Franklin D. Roosevelt by Michael Kazin
87. Franklin D. Roosevelt: Fourth Inaugural Address
88. Unprecedented: The Fourth Inaugural Address of Franklin D. Roosevelt by David B. Woolner
89. Harry S. Truman: Inaugural Address
90. Cold Warrior: The Inaugural Address of Harry S. Truman by Andrew E. Busch
91. Dwight D. Eisenhower: First Inaugural Address
92. Ike: The First Inaugural Address of Dwight D. Eisenhower by Michael J. Birkner
93. Dwight D. Eisenhower: Second Inaugural Address
94. The Price of Peace: The Second Inaugural Address of Dwight D. Eisenhower by Louis Paul Galambos
95. John F. Kennedy: Inaugural Address
96. Camelot: The Inaugural Address of John F. Kennedy by Barbara Ann Perry
97. Lyndon B. Johnson: Inaugural Address
98. The Art of Power: The Inaugural Address of Lyndon B. Johnson by Mark K. Updegrove
99. Richard M. Nixon: First Inaugural Address
100. Peacemaker: The First Inaugural Address of Richard M. Nixon by Ken Hughes
101. Richard M. Nixon: Second Inaugural Address
102. A Moment of Triumph Before Disaster: The Second Inaugural Address of Richard M. Nixon by Thomas Alan Schwartz
103. Gerald Ford: Remarks Upon Taking the Oath of Office as President
104. "Just a Little Straight Talk": Gerald Ford's Remarks Upon Taking the Oath of Office as President by John Robert Greene
105. Jimmy Carter: Inaugural Address
106. The Peanut Farmer: The Inaugural Address of Jimmy Carter by Mark Atwood Lawrence
107. Ronald Reagan: First Inaugural Address
108. The Great Communicator: The First Inaugural Address of Ronald Reagan by Gil Troy
109. Ronald Reagan: Second Inaugural Address
110. The Teflon President: The Second Inaugural Address of Ronald Reagan by Iwan W. Morgan
111. George H. W. Bush: Inaugural Address
112. "A Thousand Points of Light": The Inaugural Address of George H. W. Bush by Mary Kate Cary
113. Bill Clinton: First Inaugural Address
114. The Comeback Kid: The First Inaugural Address of Bill Clinton by Steven M. Gillon
115. Bill Clinton: Second Inaugural Address
116. The Politician: The Second Inaugural Address of Bill Clinton by Russell L. Riley
117. George W. Bush: First Inaugural Address
118. Common Ground: The First Inaugural Address of George W. Bush by James Mann
119. George W. Bush: Second Inaugural Address
120. A Vision of America: The Second Inaugural Address of George W. Bush by Mark J. Rozell
121. Barack Obama: First Inaugural Address
122. A New Birth of Freedom: The First Inaugural Address of Barack Obama by Tracy Denean Sharpley-Whiting
123. Barack Obama: Second Inaugural Address
124. Faith in America's Future: The Second Inaugural Address of Barack Obama by James T. Kloppenberg
125. Donald Trump: Inaugural Address
126. Uniquely American: The Inaugural Address of Donald Trump by Nicholas F. Jacobs
127. Inaugural Address of Joseph Biden
128. "Democracy is precious, Democracy is Fragile": The Inaugural Address of Joe Biden by Kate Masur
List of Contributors
Introduction- Ted Widmer
1. George Washington: First Inaugural Address
2. Inaugurator: George Washington's First Inaugural Address by Stephen H. Browne
3. George Washington: Second Inaugural Address
4. The American Cincinnatus: The Second Inaugural Address of George Washington by Kevin Butterield
5. John Adams: Inaugural Address
6. The Colossus of Independence: The Inaugural Address of John Adams by Rhonda Barlow
7. Thomas Jefferson: First Inaugural Address
8. The Sage of Monticello: The First Inaugural Address of Thomas Jefferson by Peter S. Onuf
9. Thomas Jefferson: Second Inaugural Address
10. The Man of the People: The Second Inaugural Address of Thomas Jefferson by Annette Gordon-Reed
11. James Madison: First Inaugural Address
12. The Father of the Constitution: The First Inaugural Address of James Madison by Stuart Eric Leibiger
13. James Madison: Second Inaugural Address
14. The First Wartime President: The Second Inaugural Address of James Madison by J. C. A. Stagg
15. James Monroe: First Inaugural Address
16. The Era of Good Feelings: The First Inaugural Address of James Monroe by Daniel F. Preston
17. James Monroe: Second Inaugural Address
18. The Last Cocked Hat: The Second Inaugural Address of James Monroe by Sandra Moats
19. John Quincy Adams: Inaugural Address
20. The Corrupt Bargain: The Inaugural Address of John Quincy Adams by C. James Taylor
21. Andrew Jackson: First Inaugural Address
22. Calm Before the Storm: The First Inaugural Address of Andrew Jackson by Harry L. Watson
23. Andrew Jackson: Second Inaugural Address
24. Old Hickory: The Second Inaugural Address of Andrew Jackson by Thomas Coens
25. Martin Van Buren: Inaugural Address
26. The Little Magician: The Inaugural Address of Martin Van Buren by Michael J. Gerhardt
27. William Henry Harrison: Inaugural Address
28. Old Tippecanoe: The Inaugural Address of William Henry Harrison by Daniel Walker Howe
29. John Tyler: Address Upon Assuming the Office of President of the United States
30. The President Without a Party: John Tyler's Address Upon Assuming the Office of President of the United States by Christopher J. Leahy
31. James K. Polk: Inaugural Address
32. Dark Horse: The Inaugural Address of James K. Polk by Walter R. Borneman
33. Zachary Taylor: Inaugural Address
34. Old Rough and Ready: The Inaugural Address of Zachary Taylor by Michael F. Holt
35. Millard Fillmore: Announcement to Congress of the Death of President Taylor
36. 'The Last Whig: Millard Fillmore's Announcement to Congress of the Death of President Taylor by Claude Welch
37. Franklin Pierce: Inaugural Address
38. Handsome Frank: The Inaugural Address of Franklin Pierce by Peter A. Wallner
39. James Buchanan: Inaugural Address
40. Doughface: The Inaugural Address of James Buchanan by Jean H. Baker
41. Abraham Lincoln: First Inaugural Address
42. Trying to Stave off War: The First Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln by David S. Reynolds
43. Abraham Lincoln: Second Inaugural Address
44. The Great Uniter: The Second Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln by Richard John Carwardine
45. Andrew Johnson: Address Upon Assuming the Office of President of the United States
46. On Opposite Ends: Andrew Johnson's Address Upon Assuming the Office of President of the United States by Michael Les Benedict
47. Ulysses S. Grant: First Inaugural Address
48. The Hero as President: The First Inaugural Address of Ulysses S. Grant by Joan Waugh
49. Ulysses S. Grant: Second Inaugural Address
50. "Errors of judgement, not of intent": The Second Inaugural Address of Ulysses S. Grant by John Marszalek
51. Rutherford B. Hayes: Inaugural Address
52. The End of Reconstruction: The Inaugural Address of Rutherford B. Hayes by Dustin McLochlin
53. James A. Garfield: Inaugural Address
54. The Preacher President: The Inaugural Address of James A. Garfield by Charles W. Calhoun
55. Chester A. Arthur: Address Upon Assuming the Office of President of the United States
56. "Chet Arthur? President of the United States? Good God!": Chester A. Arthur's Address Upon Assuming the Office of President of the United States by Walter Nugent
57. Grover Cleveland: First Inaugural Address
58. "A fine man, a grand man": The First Inaugural Address of Grover Cleveland by Mark W. Summers
59. Benjamin Harrison: Inaugural Address
60. Little Ben: The Inaugural Address of Benjamin Harrison by Allan B. Spetter
61. Grover Cleveland: Second Inaugural Address
62. Grover the Good: The Second Inaugural Address of Grover Cleveland by Matthew Algeo
63. William McKinley: First Inaugural Address
64. The Front Porch Campaign: The First Inaugural Address of William McKinley by Christopher Capozzola
65. William McKinley: Second Inaugural Address
66. The Imperial Presidency: The Second Inaugural Address of William McKinley by Christopher McKnight Nichols
67. Theodore Roosevelt: Inaugural Address
68. The Bully Pulpit: The Inaugural Address of Theodore Roosevelt by Jean Yarbrough
69. William Howard Taft: Inaugural Address
70. Between Giants: The Inaugural Address of William Howard Taft by Jonathan Lurie
71. Woodrow Wilson: First Inaugural Address
72. The Schoolmaster: The First Inaugural Address of Woodrow Wilson by Robert A. Enholm
73. Woodrow Wilson: Second Inaugural Address
74. The Eve of War: The Second Inaugural Address of Woodrow Wilson by John Milton Cooper
75. Warren G. Harding: Inaugural Address
76. Return to Normalcy: The Inaugural Address of Warren G. Harding by James D. Robenalt
77. Calvin Coolidge: Inaugural Address
78. Cool Cal: The Inaugural Address of Calvin Coolidge by Amity Shlaes
79. Herbert Hoover: Inaugural Address
80. The Great Humanitarian: The Inaugural Address of Herbert Hoover by Kendrick A. Clements
81. Franklin D. Roosevelt: First Inaugural Address
82. Fear Itself: The First Inaugural Address of Franklin D. Roosevelt by Cynthia M. Koch
83. Franklin D. Roosevelt: Second Inaugural Address
84. "One-third of a Nation...": The Second Inaugural Address of Franklin D. Roosevelt by David M. Kennedy
85. Franklin D. Roosevelt: Third Inaugural Address
86. Pathbreaker: The Third Inaugural Address of Franklin D. Roosevelt by Michael Kazin
87. Franklin D. Roosevelt: Fourth Inaugural Address
88. Unprecedented: The Fourth Inaugural Address of Franklin D. Roosevelt by David B. Woolner
89. Harry S. Truman: Inaugural Address
90. Cold Warrior: The Inaugural Address of Harry S. Truman by Andrew E. Busch
91. Dwight D. Eisenhower: First Inaugural Address
92. Ike: The First Inaugural Address of Dwight D. Eisenhower by Michael J. Birkner
93. Dwight D. Eisenhower: Second Inaugural Address
94. The Price of Peace: The Second Inaugural Address of Dwight D. Eisenhower by Louis Paul Galambos
95. John F. Kennedy: Inaugural Address
96. Camelot: The Inaugural Address of John F. Kennedy by Barbara Ann Perry
97. Lyndon B. Johnson: Inaugural Address
98. The Art of Power: The Inaugural Address of Lyndon B. Johnson by Mark K. Updegrove
99. Richard M. Nixon: First Inaugural Address
100. Peacemaker: The First Inaugural Address of Richard M. Nixon by Ken Hughes
101. Richard M. Nixon: Second Inaugural Address
102. A Moment of Triumph Before Disaster: The Second Inaugural Address of Richard M. Nixon by Thomas Alan Schwartz
103. Gerald Ford: Remarks Upon Taking the Oath of Office as President
104. "Just a Little Straight Talk": Gerald Ford's Remarks Upon Taking the Oath of Office as President by John Robert Greene
105. Jimmy Carter: Inaugural Address
106. The Peanut Farmer: The Inaugural Address of Jimmy Carter by Mark Atwood Lawrence
107. Ronald Reagan: First Inaugural Address
108. The Great Communicator: The First Inaugural Address of Ronald Reagan by Gil Troy
109. Ronald Reagan: Second Inaugural Address
110. The Teflon President: The Second Inaugural Address of Ronald Reagan by Iwan W. Morgan
111. George H. W. Bush: Inaugural Address
112. "A Thousand Points of Light": The Inaugural Address of George H. W. Bush by Mary Kate Cary
113. Bill Clinton: First Inaugural Address
114. The Comeback Kid: The First Inaugural Address of Bill Clinton by Steven M. Gillon
115. Bill Clinton: Second Inaugural Address
116. The Politician: The Second Inaugural Address of Bill Clinton by Russell L. Riley
117. George W. Bush: First Inaugural Address
118. Common Ground: The First Inaugural Address of George W. Bush by James Mann
119. George W. Bush: Second Inaugural Address
120. A Vision of America: The Second Inaugural Address of George W. Bush by Mark J. Rozell
121. Barack Obama: First Inaugural Address
122. A New Birth of Freedom: The First Inaugural Address of Barack Obama by Tracy Denean Sharpley-Whiting
123. Barack Obama: Second Inaugural Address
124. Faith in America's Future: The Second Inaugural Address of Barack Obama by James T. Kloppenberg
125. Donald Trump: Inaugural Address
126. Uniquely American: The Inaugural Address of Donald Trump by Nicholas F. Jacobs
127. Inaugural Address of Joseph Biden
128. "Democracy is precious, Democracy is Fragile": The Inaugural Address of Joe Biden by Kate Masur