Washminster

Washminster
Washminster

Tuesday 24 June 2008

Kennedy's Inaugural Address

I've been reading Richard J Tofel's book "Sounding the Trumpet". It's a short, but fascinating book about the writing of President Kennedy's Inaugural Address. The preparation and development of the speech is described - and an analysis of each phrase undertaken. Often that can destroy one's appreciation of something - but Tofel has enhanced my enjoyment of an excellent speech.



One of the gems in the book is the full text of a parody of the Inaugural Address, written by Sorensen and partly delivered by President Kennedy at the Democratic National Committee Dinner one year after becoming President. (You can hear the audio of the speech which Kennedy delivered in 1962 at http://www.jfklibrary.org/Asset+Tree/Asset+Viewers/Audio+Video+Asset+Viewer.htm?guid={63511258-FB71-4C57-B004-06855E579081}&type=Audio