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Author
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Topic: "Slipping the Surly Bonds" Reagan's Challenger Address (Mary Stuckey)
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garymilgrom
Member Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 04-13-2011 10:17 AM
   
Mary Stuckey's Slipping the Surly Bonds: Reagan's Challenger Address (TAMU Press, 2006) gives fascinating insight into the Presidential speech writing process. While the Challenger accident was still unfolding White House speech writer Peggy Noonan realized a speech would be required to address the nation within hours. This dramatic shortening of the time for writing actually helps the writer dissect and analyze the speech. We learn how Reagan used different methods of speaking (epideictic, deliberative and eulogistic) to reinforce different elements of the accident, to speak directly to different parts of the population and to bring together and comfort the country. For example the President successfully replaced the image of the explosion with the image of the smiling, waving astronauts as they boarded the bus to the launch.I often read with a dictionary beside me and I enjoy learning new words, but this book needs a dictionary on a page by page basis. It is written at a very high level, seemingly aimed toward academia. This does not detract from the book but it is not for the casual reader. Finally there are some interesting anecdotes in the book. We learn of Reagan's genuine appreciation for NASA and the people who work there, how speeches are proofed and edited at the White House and the amusing story of Portland citizen who sent $4 to the White House after the speech, this being his calculation of what every American would have to pay to replace the orbiter.  |
Gilbert
Member Posts: 1328
From: Carrollton, GA USA
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 04-13-2011 12:26 PM
Very interesting. I may check this book out based on your review. I'll have my dictionary ready when I read it. |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 04-13-2011 01:32 PM
The book may be a tough read but the Great Communicator's speech that day was just unforgettably moving. |
rjurek349
Member Posts: 1190
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 04-13-2011 01:51 PM
Thanks for the heads up. Just ordered a copy on Amazon. |
jrkeller
New Member Posts:
From:
Registered:
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posted 04-14-2011 09:06 AM
It is also available in cloth if purchased directly from Texas A&M Press. |
garymilgrom
Member Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 04-14-2011 12:52 PM
quote:
Originally posted by gliderpilotuk:
The book may be a tough read but the Great Communicator's speech that day was just unforgettably moving.
You are correct in your assessment. The book chronicles several people who wrote to Reagan after the speech with sentiments like "I didn't vote for you" or "I don't agree with your policies" but after that speech "I am behind you all the way". It truly was a very special speech, every single word was chosen for its meaning and the emotion it would convey. |
rjurek349
Member Posts: 1190
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 04-15-2011 06:52 PM
I just finished the book today. It is a very good read -- dense at times, but worth the slog in those moments. I really like the examination of the speech and how the author ties the language/metaphor/imagery into the themes of the US space program (expolration, pioneering spirit, etc.), from its inception, and how the presidential language of Eisenhower, Kenndy, Johnson, Nixon and many others impacted the discourse surrounding space exploration. It is also fun to watch how Peggy Noonan's drafts evolved (a very good thing that the "Magnificient Seven" was ultimately changed to the "Challenger Seven.") Thanks for bringing this little gem to my attention. |
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