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Speaking of America: United States Presidents and the Words That Changed History
From New York Times bestselling author Jared Cohen comes an encouraging and engaging debut children’s book that brings United States history to life through forty-five compelling presidential quotes, demonstrating the power of words and inspiring hope for the future of America.From 1776 to the present day, the Presidents of the United States have been America’s most important public speakers. Their words have inspired change throughout the highs and lows of history, from the Declaration of Independence to declarations in support of civil rights, and everything in between. Why did George Washington call for “good faith and justice towards all nations” in his farewell address? What did it mean for Franklin D. Roosevelt to proclaim, in the middle of the Great Depression, that “the only thing to fear is fear itself?” And in one of the most famous presidential speeches ever given, the Gettysburg Address, why did Abraham Lincoln choose to begin with math (“four score and seven years ago”)? In these pages, the meaning and historical impact of quotes from the first forty-five American presidents are illuminated with wit, warmth, and immersive illustrations. Full of fascinating facts that take readers behind the scenes of American history, this captivating nonfiction book shows how US presidents have used their words to encourage, explain, assert, and defend—while equipping future leaders with the knowledge that they too have the power to change the world.
112 pages, Hardcover
First published September 10, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 5, 2024
Excellent - perfect for grades 5-9. The back matter with speeches that were never given was especially intriguing.
November 14, 2024
Cohen’s inviting and informative book of short quotes, excerpted from longer speeches from all U.S. presidents, showcases the power words have to shape and reflect history.
February 6, 2025
From the outside, this looks like a thick picture book, but once you get inside ... With all of the text and illustrations, this book would be best used by grades 4-8 to find information about a specific president (through Biden). I do not see kids [or their parents] reading this cover-to-cover.
Still, for History Buffs like me, this is very interesting. For each entry, readers are given the name of the President, a direct quote of his, and the source that quote came from, a BRIEF history of the world during the time the President was in office, the Purpose of the words / quote showcased, as well as why / how they made a difference, a little known fact in the form of, "Did you know?", and many colorful illustrations.
At the back of the book is a Presidential Timeline, "Delivering Your Message," - Tips for aspiring speechwriters, and a "What if?" - Speeches the Presidents Never Gave
Some interesting facts:
George Washington established the TRADITION of a two-term limit on the presidency, but it was only after FDR was elected to four terms that the two-term limit became the law of the land due to the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution.
Did you know that the Monroe Doctrine was a way for the United States to stand up to European empires in the Western Hemisphere?
Did you know Martin Van Buren was the only American president whose first language was not English? He grew up in Kinderhook, NY, in a community of people who emigrated from the Netherlands. He spoke Dutch at home.
In the Did you know category, it has always been said that William Henry Harrison passed away from pneumonia due to the fact that he did not wear a coat on his Inauguration day. Evidently, this is not the case. The cause was most likely from an illness brought on by deadly bacteria in the White House sewer system. According to this book, other presidents would later suffer from the same disease. Hmmm.
Millard Filmore, known as the Forgotten President, was a contradiction in terms. By his own words in a letter to his secretary of state, October 23, 1850, "God knows I detest slavery, but it is an existing evil ... and we must endure it and give it such protection as is guaranteed by the constitution." It is during this time that we got the Compromise of 1850. In kid terms, this was a series of laws that attempted to resolve sectional tensions over slavery in the United States. What it really did was, admitted California as a free state, set Texas's boundaries, made New Mexico a territory, passed a new Fugitive Slave Act that favored the Southern states, and abolished the slave trade in D.C., but the fate of slavery was far from settled. In the end, this Compromise postponed the inevitable of a Civil War by 10 years.
Andrew Johnson, upon news of his impeachment in February 1868 stated, "Let them impeach and be damned." He was made vice president in 1864, because it was thought that he could help reunite the country ... HA!
Ulysses S. Grant did more for this than his predecessor when he stated, "The war is over, the rebels are our countrymen again." This was said upon accepting General Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox Courthouse in April 1865.
James a Garfield was a lifelong champion of rights for Black Americans. As a young boy in Ohio, he helped hide a runaway slave who was escaping north along the Underground Railroad to freedom in Canada.
Hawaii, once known as the Sandwich Islands, was first introduced to the U.S. during Benjamin Harrison's term. It took some years, but Hawaii formally became a territory of the United States in 1898.
Did you know that if Lyndon Johnson had not become president, he might have been a teacher? He had the degree and had taught in Texas high schools.
Most people know that Gerald Ford played football for the University of Michigan, but did you know that he was the star on one of their national championship winning teams? Also, he received offers to plan on TWO NFL teams, the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers, but instead decided to go to law school. What might have been?
"Take down this wall!" almost didn't make it into Reagan's speech. His advisers kept removing the line, thinking that the phrase was too provocative, but Reagan insisted that it be kept.
WOW!!!!! Did you know ... Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Donald Trump were all born in 1946, within a few months of one another! The book says that this was a very presidential year! I find this fact, amazing!
Most Americans who think of the '90s remember them fondly. The economy improved, there were plenty of new jobs in new industries, and technologies promised a better future. Also, for the first time in decades, the U.S. government ran a budget surplus (meaning that it spent less money than it took in). The country did still face some major problems, but overall, things were better than they had been in years!
Still, for History Buffs like me, this is very interesting. For each entry, readers are given the name of the President, a direct quote of his, and the source that quote came from, a BRIEF history of the world during the time the President was in office, the Purpose of the words / quote showcased, as well as why / how they made a difference, a little known fact in the form of, "Did you know?", and many colorful illustrations.
At the back of the book is a Presidential Timeline, "Delivering Your Message," - Tips for aspiring speechwriters, and a "What if?" - Speeches the Presidents Never Gave
Some interesting facts:
George Washington established the TRADITION of a two-term limit on the presidency, but it was only after FDR was elected to four terms that the two-term limit became the law of the land due to the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution.
Did you know that the Monroe Doctrine was a way for the United States to stand up to European empires in the Western Hemisphere?
Did you know Martin Van Buren was the only American president whose first language was not English? He grew up in Kinderhook, NY, in a community of people who emigrated from the Netherlands. He spoke Dutch at home.
In the Did you know category, it has always been said that William Henry Harrison passed away from pneumonia due to the fact that he did not wear a coat on his Inauguration day. Evidently, this is not the case. The cause was most likely from an illness brought on by deadly bacteria in the White House sewer system. According to this book, other presidents would later suffer from the same disease. Hmmm.
Millard Filmore, known as the Forgotten President, was a contradiction in terms. By his own words in a letter to his secretary of state, October 23, 1850, "God knows I detest slavery, but it is an existing evil ... and we must endure it and give it such protection as is guaranteed by the constitution." It is during this time that we got the Compromise of 1850. In kid terms, this was a series of laws that attempted to resolve sectional tensions over slavery in the United States. What it really did was, admitted California as a free state, set Texas's boundaries, made New Mexico a territory, passed a new Fugitive Slave Act that favored the Southern states, and abolished the slave trade in D.C., but the fate of slavery was far from settled. In the end, this Compromise postponed the inevitable of a Civil War by 10 years.
Andrew Johnson, upon news of his impeachment in February 1868 stated, "Let them impeach and be damned." He was made vice president in 1864, because it was thought that he could help reunite the country ... HA!
Ulysses S. Grant did more for this than his predecessor when he stated, "The war is over, the rebels are our countrymen again." This was said upon accepting General Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox Courthouse in April 1865.
James a Garfield was a lifelong champion of rights for Black Americans. As a young boy in Ohio, he helped hide a runaway slave who was escaping north along the Underground Railroad to freedom in Canada.
Hawaii, once known as the Sandwich Islands, was first introduced to the U.S. during Benjamin Harrison's term. It took some years, but Hawaii formally became a territory of the United States in 1898.
Did you know that if Lyndon Johnson had not become president, he might have been a teacher? He had the degree and had taught in Texas high schools.
Most people know that Gerald Ford played football for the University of Michigan, but did you know that he was the star on one of their national championship winning teams? Also, he received offers to plan on TWO NFL teams, the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers, but instead decided to go to law school. What might have been?
"Take down this wall!" almost didn't make it into Reagan's speech. His advisers kept removing the line, thinking that the phrase was too provocative, but Reagan insisted that it be kept.
WOW!!!!! Did you know ... Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Donald Trump were all born in 1946, within a few months of one another! The book says that this was a very presidential year! I find this fact, amazing!
Most Americans who think of the '90s remember them fondly. The economy improved, there were plenty of new jobs in new industries, and technologies promised a better future. Also, for the first time in decades, the U.S. government ran a budget surplus (meaning that it spent less money than it took in). The country did still face some major problems, but overall, things were better than they had been in years!
October 28, 2024
Speaking of America is a fascinating look at the power of words from some of arguably the most powerful men in the world.
Each two-page spread features a quote and then provides context — time period, how the words have purpose and how the words make a difference. There’s also a fun “Did you know? box that provides some fun facts about each president.
Author Jared Cohen’s writing is engaging and accessible. Dividing under headings helps readers understand key points and makes blocks of text seem less daunting. He doesn’t shy from the past, but offers clear, concise and unbiased information.
Illustrator Vivian Shih brings each president to life. She helps readers place the presidents in time and place.
Backmatter includes an extensive timeline, tips for aspiring speechwriters, information on speeches the presidents never gave, and a few “What ifs?”
Speaking of America is an excellent resource no matter what time of year, but especially heading into the presidential election this November. I highly recommend it.
Each two-page spread features a quote and then provides context — time period, how the words have purpose and how the words make a difference. There’s also a fun “Did you know? box that provides some fun facts about each president.
Author Jared Cohen’s writing is engaging and accessible. Dividing under headings helps readers understand key points and makes blocks of text seem less daunting. He doesn’t shy from the past, but offers clear, concise and unbiased information.
Illustrator Vivian Shih brings each president to life. She helps readers place the presidents in time and place.
Backmatter includes an extensive timeline, tips for aspiring speechwriters, information on speeches the presidents never gave, and a few “What ifs?”
Speaking of America is an excellent resource no matter what time of year, but especially heading into the presidential election this November. I highly recommend it.
December 11, 2024
This thick nonfiction picture book walks you through history with words. From George Washington to Joe Biden this picks and chooses words spoken by almost all of the United States presidents and along the way it offers a history lesson. Broad reaching and generally neutral, each page gives the reader the quote, what was happening in the word, and why those words mattered. I found it to be a creative way to look at American history. It’s impossible to capture it all in a book, but this book is a good summary of the ups and downs of American history and its leaders.
December 24, 2024
The concept of this book is very good. Picking up a famous quote by each president, describing the events surrounding in and around the time, giving a glimpse of history of the US to youngsters. But, the book says 'The World at that time', however, it discusses only the events in the US. So, I think it can be rephrased to say 'The US at that time'.
I loved the failed speeches of D-Day and Moon Landing at the end of the book. It so much important to inspire and lead when one fails too.
I loved the failed speeches of D-Day and Moon Landing at the end of the book. It so much important to inspire and lead when one fails too.
January 8, 2025
I enjoyed this simplified version of the people who have served as presidents over the course of American history. The stories about the different presidents and the challenges they faced was interesting and would be great reading for both parents and children.
We need a lot more civics information now about not only the presidents, but about the Congress and how it operates for parents to share with their kids!
We need a lot more civics information now about not only the presidents, but about the Congress and how it operates for parents to share with their kids!
November 7, 2024
I can see using this as prep for the election as well as bringing it out for President's day or presidential research. The fact that there's not a different new President probably will make this useful for another 4 years.
January 12, 2025
A great little modern Presidents book that keeps things unbiased.
February 20, 2025
Profiles of US Presidents from Washington to Biden focused on their most memorable quote.
April 20, 2025
An interesting concept but some odd selections for some of the presidents. The best part was the end with the “what if?” speeches of Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Nixon.
February 6, 2026
Words matter! Cool to see so many phrases our presidents have made that are so ingrained in our memories. Cool short book.
March 18, 2026
引述一句歷任總統的話，然後介紹其時代背景。比較沒有針對總統本身介紹。
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews