Drawn from ancient times through the twentieth century, this inspriringcollection of 300 of the most important documents and speeches of AmericanHistory and Western civilization chronicles the birth of freedom. Writtenby ancient thinkers and contemporary world peacemakers, these words haveshaped the ideals of freedom, justice, and liberty that are so importantto Americans today. Selections include the words of influential thinkersthroughout history from Socrates to Nelson Mandela, as well as: . ThomasPaine . Abraham Lincoln . William Wordsworth . John F. Kennedy . FlorenceNightingale . Mary Wollstonecraft . Frederick Douglas