President Washington, the Collected Speeches: Extended Edition

By: George Washington

Narrated by: David Roberts, Matthew Greene

This collection contains authentic re-enactments of all of George Washington's (1732-1799) major speeches during his two presidential term of office as America's first president after victory in the War for Independence. It includes his farewell address in full, regarded as a fine example of his political beliefs, as well as eight annual messages to Congress and two inaugural addresses.

Speeches on major policy events are also included, such as Washington's declaration during the early stages of the French Revolutionary Wars in 1793 and multiple statements relating to the Cherokee and Seneca nations. The speeches also discuss other significant topics, including Congressional redistricting, militia service, and include a Thanksgiving proclamation. This authentic reenactment of George Washington's speeches by skilled narrator David Roberts brings Washington's words to life more than two centuries after they were first spoken. This collection includes 20 examples of Washington's famous oratory spanning 1789 to 1796.

George Washington was a military general, a statesman, and Founding Father. This collection showcases his pivotal role as the first American president and shows why many consider him the Father of his country and among the greatest of presidents, shaping many beliefs and traditions that remain to this day.

©2021 Historical Audiobooks (P)2021 Historical Audiobooks

Some revision needed

1. The reader is a little rushed, and does not have a stately manner suitable to Washington, the general.
2. The music between speeches is nice but is actually generic European classical music, not necessarily contemporary with Washington, and not American in character. Recall that the phenomenon of the American revolution and republic was a severance from many flaws in the European trajectory.
3. Toward the end of the recording there are many mistakes in the reading, which should have been edited out.

18th century legal prose

The 18th century manner of writing for historicity as opposed to plain spoken clarity was unexpected. It felt like I needed a legal education to understand much of what was said. I think a lot of Washington’s speeches sound more like opinions in Supreme Court briefs. It’s a very interesting read, but challenging to understand.