Presidential Speechwriting: From the New Deal to the Reagan Revolution and Beyond

The rise of the media presidency through radio and television broadcasts has heightened the visibility and importance of presidential speeches in determining the effectiveness and popularity of the President of the United States. Not surprisingly, this development has also witnessed the rise of professional speechwriters to craft the words the chief executive would address to the nation.

Yet, as this volume of expert analyses graphically demonstrates, the reliance of individual presidents on...