For many thousands of years, people have used oratory to influence others, but what exactly makes a speech great? Is it the choice of words, the feelings they express, the passion with which the speaker delivers them, the circumstances or the lasting effect that the speech has on what other people think or do, or even on the course of history.

Scratch the surface of Western culture and you will find signs of its Christian foundation. In laying these foundations, argues Ben F. Meyer, no ancient texts contributed more than the Gospel of Matthew, thanks to its primacy in the liturgy. The hallmark of his Gospel is its discourses: the Sermon on the Mount, the Missionary Discourse, the Parable Discourse, the Ecclesial Discourse, and the Eschatological Discourse--five speeches that changed the world.

The history of the world as witnessed through the most inspiring, rousing, and memorable speeches ever given. Throughout history, passionate orators have rallied nations, challenged accepted beliefs, and changed the course of history. Colin Salter has identified one-hundred of history's most inspirational, momentous, and thought-provoking speeches from ancient Rome and Athens to the 21st century and puts them into context, telling the stories behind the words that made history. A celebration of the power of spoken rhetoric at its finest, this book profiles the words of the world's greatest public speakers. The speeches covered span the spectrum from stirring calls to arms to impassioned pleas for peace, along with speeches that marked major historical events such as the abolition of slavery, women achieving the right to vote, and the expansion of civil rights. Each speech features a concise introduction along with detailed analysis accompanied by key illustrations and photographs. Highlighted speeches include: Elizabeth I's speech in preparation of the Spanish Armada (1588), Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I a Woman" (1851), Lincoln's Gettysburg Address (1863), Franklin D. Roosevelt, "Only thing we have to fear is fear itself" (1933), Winston Churchill, "Blood, Sweat and Tears" (1940), Martin Luther King, "I Have a Dream" (1963), Harvey Milk's "Hope Speech" (1978), Margaret Thatcher's "The Lady's not for Turning" (1980), Nelson Mandela on his release from prison (1990), among many more.

In this fascinating book, Chris Abbott, a leading political analyst, takes a close look at 21 key speeches which have shaped the world today. He examines the power of the arguments embedded in these speeches to inspire people to achieve great things, or do great harm. Abbott draws upon his political expertise to explain how our current understanding of the world is rooted in pivotal moments of history. These moments are captured in the words of a range of influential speakers including: Emmeline Pankhurst, Martin Luther King, Jr, Enoch Powell, Napoleon Beazley, Kevin Rudd, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, Osama bin Laden, Margaret Beckett, Winston Churchill, Salvador Allende, Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair, Tim Collins, Mohandas Gandhi, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Robin Cook and Barack Obama. The speeches in this book are arranged thematically, linked by concepts such as 'might is right', 'with us or against us' and 'give peace a chance'. Each transcript is accompanied by an insightful commentary that analyses how the words relate to our modern society. Fresh and relevant, this is a book that will make you stop in your tracks and think about what is really happening in the world today.

A powerful celebration of brilliant speeches by women throughout the ages, from Boudica to Greta Thunberg. ' A treasure trove of trailblazers...' Cathy Newman Looking at lists of the greatest speeches of all time, you might think that powerful oratory is the preserve of men. But the truth is very different - countless brave and bold women have used their voices to inspire change, transform lives and radically alter history. In this timely and personal selection of exceptional speeches, Yvette Cooper MP tells the rousing story of female oratory. From Boudica to Greta Thunberg and Margaret Thatcher to Malala, Yvette introduces each speech and demonstrates how powerful and persuasive oratory can be decidedly female. Written by one of our leading public voices, this is an inspirational call for women to be heard across the globe.

Discover 70 great speeches from leaders such as Winston Churchill, Gandhi, John F. Kennedy, Malcolm X, Shirley Chisholm, Ronald Reagan, Gloria Steinem, Bill Gates, and many more. Read excerpts from powerful speeches such as MLK's "I Have a Dream," Churchill's "We Shall Fight on the Beaches," LBJ's "We Shall Overcome," Mary Fisher's "A Whisper of AIDS," and Elie Wiesel's "The Perils of Indifference." These memorable speeches are organized chronologically, beginning with Marie Curie and ending with Elon Musk. Each spread includes an introduction to the speaker and speech as well as key excerpts from the speech.

Outstanding selection of great letters from ancient times to the 21st century, touching on power, love, art, sex, faith, and war. Written in History: Letters that Changed the World celebrates the great letters of world history, and cultural and personal life. Bestselling, prizewinning historian Simon Sebag Montefiore selects letters that have changed the course of global events or touched a timeless emotion—whether passion, rage, humor—from ancient times to the twenty-first century. Some are noble and inspiring, some despicable and unsettling, some are exquisite works of literature, others brutal, coarse, and frankly outrageous, many are erotic, others heartbreaking. It is a surprising and eclectic selection, from the four corners of the world, filled with extraordinary women and men, from ancient times to now. Truly a choice of letters for our own times encompassing love letters to calls for liberation to declarations of war to reflections on life and death. The writers vary from Elizabeth I and Catherine the Great to Mandela, Stalin and Picasso, Fanny Burney and Emily Pankhurst to Ada Lovelace and Rosa Parks, Oscar Wilde, Chekhov and Pushkin to Balzac, Mozart and Michelangelo, Hitler, Rameses the Great and Alexander Hamilton to Augustus and Churchill, Lincoln, Donald Trump and Suleiman the Magnificent. In a book that is a perfect gift, here is a window on astonishing characters, seminal events, and unforgettable words. In the colorful, accessible style of a master storyteller, Montefiore shows why these letters are essential reading and how they can unveil and enlighten the past—and enrich the way we live now.