Anthologies

An anthology that traces how Shakespeare has shaped American history and culture—featuring pieces by Founding Fathers, Orson Welles, and other noteworthy figures “The history of Shakespeare in America,” writes James Shapiro in his introduction to this groundbreaking anthology, “is also the history of America itself.” Shakespeare was a central, inescapable part of America’s literary inheritance, and a prism through which crucial American issues—revolution, slavery, war, social justice—were refracted and understood. In tracing the many surprising forms this influence took, Shapiro draws on many genres—poetry, fiction, essays, plays, memoirs, songs, speeches, letters, movie reviews, comedy routines—and on a remarkable range of American writers from Emerson, Melville, Lincoln, and Mark Twain to James Agee, John Berryman, Pauline Kael, and Cynthia Ozick. Americans of the revolutionary era ponder the question “to sign or not to sign;” Othello becomes the focal point of debates on race; the Astor Place riots, set off by a production of Macbeth, attest to the violent energies aroused by theatrical controversies; Jane Addams finds in King Lear a metaphor for American struggles between capital and labor. Orson Welles revolutionizes approaches to Shakespeare with his legendary productions of Macbeth and Julius Caesar; American actors from Charlotte Cushman and Ira Aldridge to John Barrymore, Paul Robeson, and Marlon Brando reimagine Shakespeare for each new era. The rich and tangled story of how Americans made Shakespeare their own is a literary and historical revelation. As a special feature, the book includes a foreword by Bill Clinton, among the latest in a long line of American presidents, including John Adams, John Quincy Adams, and Abraham Lincoln, who, as the collection demonstrates, have turned to Shakespeare’s plays for inspiration.

Inaugural Speeches from the Presidents of the United States - Complete Edition is a profound collection that encapsulates over two centuries of American political thought and presidential vision. This anthology presents the diverse rhetorical styles and philosophical principles of 40 presidents, from the timeless wisdom of Washington to the modern reflections of Obama. The collection thrives on its ability to traverse through contrasting literary expressions'Äîranging from the brevity and humility of Coolidge'Äôs addresses to the elaborate, idealistic visions portrayed in Kennedy'Äôs speeches'Äîilluminating the evolving ideals and challenges confronted by each administration. Together, these speeches offer an invaluable lens into the shifting dynamics of American democracy and its leaders' varied responses to the times. Contributors in this anthology belong to different eras and backgrounds, mirroring the rich tapestry of American history and governance. As luminaries of their respective times, each president brought with them unique experiences and perspectives'Äîfrom Roosevelt'Äôs Progressive Era reforms to Franklin D. Roosevelt'Äôs New Deal, and Reagan'Äôs call for resurgence. Bound by historical and cultural movements, the anthology provides a collective narrative that demonstrates how presidents endeavored to define their place and mission amid the ever-changing landscape of national and global affairs. This complete edition is an essential resource for students of history, politics, and literature, offering a rare opportunity to explore the breadth of American leadership philosophy and governance in a single volume. Readers are invited to engage deeply with the speeches, to uncover the educational valor and broad array of insights they deliver. This collection is sure to spark dialogue, incite reflection, and broaden one'Äôs appreciation for the complexities of leadership and the enduring principles that have shaped the United States.