About the Book
Table of Contents:
Foreword by Ted Sorensen
Introduction
1 Speech against the Iraq War Resolution
October 2, 2002 l Federal Plaza, Chicago, Illinois
2 Keynote Address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention
July 27, 2004 l FleetCenter, Boston, Massachusetts
3 United States Senate Victory Speech
November 2, 2004 l Hyatt Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois
4 John Lewis’s Sixty-fifth Birthday Gala
February 21, 2005 l Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center, Atlanta, Georgia
5 Knox College Commencement Address
June 4, 2005 l Galesburg, Illinois
6 Call to Renewal Keynote Address
June 28, 2006 l National City Church, Washington, D.C.
7 “An Honest Government, A Hopeful Future”
August 28, 2006 l University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
8 Presidential Announcement Speech
February 10, 2007 l Old State Capitol, Springfield, Illinois
9 Iowa Jefferson-Jackson Dinner
November 10, 2007 l Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Des Moines, Iowa
10 Night of Iowa Caucus
January 3, 2008 l Hy-Vee Hall, Des Moines, Iowa
11 Night of New Hampshire Primary
January 8, 2008 l Nashua South High School, Nashua, New Hampshire
12 South Carolina Primary Victory Speech
January 26, 2008 l Columbia Hotel, Columbia, South Carolina
13 Night of Super Tuesday Primaries
February 5, 2008 l Hyatt Regency Hotel, Chicago, Illinois
14 “A More Perfect Union”
March 18, 2008 l National Constitution Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
15 Night of North Carolina and Indiana Primaries
May 6, 2008 l RBC Center, Raleigh, North Carolina
16 “A World That Stands as One”
July 24, 2008 l Victory Column, Tiergarten, Berlin, Germany
17 “The American Promise”: Democratic National Convention
August 28, 2008 l Invesco Field, Denver, Colorado
18 Election Night Victory Speech
November 4, 2008 l Grant Park, Chicago, Illinois
Acknowledgments
Notes
About the Author :
Mary Frances Berry is the Geraldine R. Segal Professor of American Social Thought and professor of history at the University of Pennsylvania, and the author of nine books. The recipient of thirty-three honorary degrees, she has been chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, is a regular contributor to Politico, and has appeared on Real Time with Bill Maher, Anderson Cooper 360, The Daily Show, Tavis Smiley, and PBS's NewsHour.
Josh Gottheimer was presidential speechwriter and special assistant to President Bill Clinton; appears on MSNBC, Fox News, and CNN as a political analyst; edited Ripples of Hope- Great American Civil Rights Speeches; and is executive president of the global PR firm Burson-Marsteller.
Theodore Sorensen (1928-2010) was former special counsel and adviser to President John F. Kennedy and a widely published author on the presidency and foreign affairs.
Review :
“Berry and Gottheimer bring their own depth of insight to an analysis of each of the speeches and the vision they embody.... A book to savor and return to for subsequent readings.”—Kirkus Reviews
“In the long sweep of history, readers will be able to refer to this work to better understand and appreciate the power of words of our forty-fourth president of the United States.”—Dana Perino, former White House press secretary
“It was the late Richard Neustadt who famously wrote that ‘presidential power is the power to persuade.’ This rich and thoughtful collection of the stories behind the speeches that launched Barack Obama to the national stage and eventually the presidency demonstrates how incredible this power can be when placed in the hands of a brilliant and gifted orator. Power in Words highlights President Obama’s ability—and the abilities of his talented speechwriters and advisers—to translate the unspoken desire of the American people for a leader with humility, intelligence, and understanding into a language that all Americans could connect with and believe in.”—John Podesta, former chief of staff for President Bill Clinton and CEO of the Center for American Progress
“Words matter, especially in a time of crisis. Learn how Obama’s words got him elected, and why it matters to all of us, in this engaging look at his rise to the presidency.”—Eric Schmidt, chair/CEO of Google Inc.
