Essential American 21 Documents & Speeches Every American Should Know

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN AMERICAN?

In The Essential American: 25 Documents and Speeches Every American Should Own, Jackie Gingrich Cushman has compiled a guide to the great documents and speeches that have stood as beacons to successive generations, expressing what it is to be an American.

Starting with the crucial documents of our founding, Cushman introduces and explores each speech and document in its historical context, explaining why it belongs in the American canon. Some—like General Douglas MacArthurs immortal “Duty, Honor, Country” speech or Abraham Lincolns Gettysburg Address—were obvious selections. Others are less well-known, like Captain Mosley Bakers speech at San Jacinto, which urged Texans fighting for their lives to “Remember the Alamo!”

The Essential American: 25 Documents and Speeches Every American Should Own highlights different aspects of Americas character. Reflections on Americas origins, like Calvin Coolidges “Inspiration of the Declaration of Independence” and Daniel Websters “Discourse, Delivered at Plymouth” were delivered in times of peace and prosperity. General Dwight D. Eisenhowers “Order of the Day” on D–Day, FDRs address to Congress after Pearl Harbor was attacked, and President George W. Bushs speech after 9/11 were the powerful responses of leadership to the crises of the hour.

Many of these documents and speeches were prepared for public dissemination while others, like Abigail Adams letter to her husband, began as the private thoughts of citizens meditating on the course of the nation. Some were instantly hailed as great, such as Martin Luther King, Jr.s “I Have a Dream” speech, while others like President Ronald Reagans speech at the Brandenburg Gate in West Germany required the passage of time to unveil their significance. All of them contain enduring lessons for Americans today and demand a place in our hearts and on our bookshelves.

With its handy lists of presidents and first ladies, vice presidents, and justices of the Supreme Court, a timeline of important events in American history, and a BONUS DVD of more than 1,200 documents, The Essential American: 25 Documents and Speeches Every American Should Own is a vital resource for all Americans seeking to better understand the legacy they have inherited.

Praise for

The Essential American

“AMERICA HAS A GRAND HERITAGE, BUT ITS TOO OFTEN glossed over or even ignored in schools controlled by a liberal agenda focused on rewriting history. And those of us lucky enough to have been taught the real, unapologetic history of our great nation always need a refresher. Thats why Im so pleased with Jackie Gingrich Cushmans The Essential American: 25 Documents and Speeches Every American Should Own. Jackie has compiled the speeches and documents you read in history class—or wish youd read—and introduced each one with interesting historical details and explanations of how it shaped the character of America. Pick up this unique resource for the history of our nation. Youll return to it again and again as youre reminded of why youre proud to be an American.”

—SEAN HANNITY,

NATIONAL RADIO AND TELEVISION TALK SHOW HOST

More than ever, Americans are realizing that if we want to keep this country great, we must be citizen patriots. And heres the handbook every citizen patriot needs: The Essential American, featuring the fundamental documents of our nations history.

Compiled by syndicated columnist Jackie Gingrich Cushman and featuring a foreword by her father—bestselling author and former Speaker of the House—Newt Gingrich, The Essential American is the ultimate patriots resource. Featuring well-known and lesser-known documents and speeches, as well as bonus material, The Essential American includes: The Declaration of Independence The Constitution Daniel Websters Plymouth Oration Abraham Lincolns Second Inaugural Address Douglas MacArthurs Duty, Honor, Country speech Ronald Reagans Speech at the Brandenburg Gate BONUS Lists: American Presidents (and their presidential parties), all 50 states (with their capitals and year of admittance to the Union), etc. A bonus DVD, with more than 1,000 additional documents and articles critical to our nations history. And much more!

Perfect for the patriot in your life, The Essential American belongs under every Christmas tree in America!