Essential Speeches by Renowned Figures---Middle School Students Reading and Appreciating Famous Speeches

Author: Ong Sheng, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-09-01
Features: Gatherings of renowned authors and masterpieces, condensing the essence of literature; experience splendid civilizations, absorb wisdom for growth! In the name of peace, democracy, and the freedom of all humanity, I pay my respects to all of you. I stand before you not as a prophet, but as your humble servant, as the servant of the people. Through your relentless struggles and heroic sacrifices, I have been given the opportunity to stand here today, and therefore, I dedicate the rest of my life to you. On this day of my release, I extend my warmest and heartfelt gratitude to my millions of compatriots, to all those around the world who have tirelessly fought for my release. Today, most South Africans, both black and white, have recognized that the apartheid system has no future. To ensure peace, security, and safety, we must rely on decisive and massive action to end this system. The large-scale resistance movements and other actions of various groups and the people of our country will ultimately lead to, and can only lead to, the establishment of a democratic system. The apartheid system has caused incalculable damage to this continent. The lives of thousands of families have been destroyed. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced and unable to find employment.
Speeches are like beautiful ripples in the long river of human civilization. In ancient Egypt and Greece, speech was widely studied and adopted by politicians, military commanders, and philosophers as a skill. Whether it was Socrates' wise and dialectical defense, Pericles' candid and hopeful declaration, or Hannibal's passionate and resolute oration, they left an indelible impression on later generations. These classic speeches have moved audiences with their exquisite language, inspired future generations with their profound thoughts, and guided the world with their unique insights. The analysis and exploration of speeches have always developed alongside them. Due to the remarkable influence speeches have on public psychology, linguists, literary critics, and psychologists have all devoted significant effort, dedication, and passion to this linguistic art. The publication of numerous works on speech research has strongly supported and advanced this art.
This book selects over sixty classic speeches by renowned figures from around the world from the vast literature of history. The content covers various aspects of social life, including politics, war, literature, art, science, and philosophy. In style, they range from humorous and witty to vivid and dynamic; from passionate and resolute to calm and composed; from elegant and poetic to plain and straightforward. After each speech, there is a brief evaluation, as well as an introduction and background information about the author, hoping to serve as a springboard for further discussion.