Union of Words: A History of Presidential Eloquence [video 60min]

Wayne Fields sat down in 1996 to discuss how American presidents use acceptance speeches, inaugurals and State of the Union speeches to define their administration's agenda. In Union of Words he examines what influence a president's choice of words and use of colorful language has on promoting unity across the country. Fields is professor of English and director of American Culture Studies at Washington University in St. Louis, and the author of What the River Knows: An Angler in Midstream.