Introduced by presidential historian Ted Widmer, this work offers both the original texts and insightful essays by leading historians on each of the presidential inaugural addresses--from George Washington to Joseph Biden. Every four years, the incoming president of the United States delivers an inaugural address in a tradition that dates back to 1789, with the first inauguration of George Washington. The address tells Americans--and peoples around the world--what the country has been and what it has the potential to become. In a speech freighted with importance, they express their fears, their hopes, and their most personal aspirations for the nation and for democracy. This work brings together all of the inaugural addresses--from George Washington's first in 1789 through Joseph Biden's in 2021. What distinguishes it from other compilations of inaugural addresses are brief, original essays by leading scholars, speechwriters, historians, biographers, and editors of presidential papers that contextualize the speech within the presidential administration that followed. Each of the contributors explores what a president expected to be dealing with when entering the highest office in the land and what he hoped to do for the country. The authors examine decisions the president made and how this impacted the nation's trajectory. They also reflect on how the address relates to the president's legacy in and out of office. The essays also offer distinctive approaches: some consider the political, economic, and military status of the country; others the composition of the address itself; and still others the personal circumstances of the president at the time of his inauguration. Covering over 230 of years of American history, My Fellow Americans captures a snapshot of America at unique points in time, with perceptive commentaries by America's finest presidential historians and a broad-ranging introduction by Ted Widmer.

Inaugurations matter. They set an administration's tenor and tone and mark moments in time. Finally, there is a book equal to their importance. Ranging from George Washington to Joe Biden and featuring a true all-star roster of historians, My Fellow Americans offers every student of American history something to chew over and much to learn, as it traces the growth, trials, crises, and accomplishments--and yes, the first official words--of the two-plus centuries of leaders who have held the nation's highest office. * Jeffrey A. Engel, Center for Presidential History, Southern Methodist University *
An all-star cast of historians walk us through some of the most important presidential speeches in American history--the inaugural speeches that launch their terms in office. An indispensable guide to political history. * Julian Zelizer, Princeton University *
Singh's volume devotes less attention to corresponding inaugural activities but is a handy reference that will be especially valuable to students of presidential rhetoric. * J. R. Vile, Choice *

Yuvraj Singh lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. My Fellow Americans is his first published work. Ted Widmer is Distinguished Lecturer at Macaulay Honors College, City University of New York. He is the author and editor of numerous books on the presidency, including Lincoln on the Verge: Thirteen Days to Washington; Campaigns: A Century of Presidential Races; and American Speeches: Political Oratory from Abraham Lincoln to Bill Clinton. He served as a speechwriter and senior adviser in the Clinton White House.