Modern Eloquence

Rediscover the Golden Age of Oratory, Wit, and Public Address

Modern Eloquence, Volume II continues the celebrated anthology of the finest spoken-word artistry from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Compiled under the guidance of an elite advisory board—including Columbia University’s Brander Matthews and Nicholas Murray Butler, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Elihu Root, and former Canadian Prime Minister Sir Robert Laird Borden—this volume captures the lost art of the classic after-dinner speech.

Spanning an era when public dining was the premier stage for brilliant rhetoric, intellectual combat, and spontaneous humor, Volume II delivers a rich collection of toasts, tributes, and banquet addresses delivered by the most eminent figures of America and Europe. These speeches offer not only deep historical insight into the cultural and political atmosphere of the time, but also masterclasses in charisma, timing, persuasive storytelling, and sharp-witted repartee.

Inside Volume II, you will find:

• Masterful After-Dinner Speeches: A curated selection of banquet orations showcasing genuine wit, charm, and rhetorical elegance.

• Timeless Rhetorical Craft: Practical demonstrations of how history’s great speakers engaged audiences, balanced humor with gravitas, and delivered memorable toasts.

• Rich Historical Context: Primary source material reflecting the intellectual, cultural, and social debates of the late Victorian and early modern eras.

• Distinguished Editorial Pedigree: Curated by leading scholars, diplomats, and statesmen of the early 20th century.

Whether you are a student of rhetoric, a public speaker seeking to refine your timing and storytelling, or a lover of historical literature, Modern Eloquence, Volume II is an indispensable addition to your library.