[.ca] Speeches Collection: V1

Words that both defined and turned the wheels of history:
The Speeches Collection: Volume 1 is an impressive and very highly recommended two-disc, 4 hour DVD presentation of great speeches by John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Gerald Ford, and Ronald Regan. A profound amalgamation of words that both defined and turned the wheels of history, The Speeches Collection is would make a welcome and invaluable addition to school and community library Video/DVD collections.

The Speeches Collection -- John F. Kennedy:
I work in the political field. Presidential history is one of my specialties. I am a former history teacher, also, who collects political memorabilia and went to high school and college (Florida State University) in the Kennedy-Johnson era. It was a wonderful era and this is a top-notch tape, if you like JFK. Ignore the comments about poor production. This is sometime after Kennedy, production techniques have improved considerably. I am selective about what I purchase and believe me, there is nothing about this tape, in my considered and historically-based opinion, that should make the JFK afficionado have second thoughts about buying it!

The Evil Empire speech without the "evil empire":
I bought this in order to hear Ronald Reagan's "evil empire" speech. However, in spite of the fact that "evil empire" is quoted on the back of the DVD's cover, one never actually gets to hear Reagan utter the phrase that shook the Soviet apparat. Instead, his speech to the National Association of Evangelicals is inexplicably cut off after he refers to the Soviet Union as "the focus of evil in the modern world" - some three paragraphs BEFORE one would have heard him implore his audience not to ignore "the facts of history and the aggressive impulses of an evil empire". Talk about "Hamlet" without the Prince. Irritating, to say the least . . .

Good Content, but Poor Production:
The other reviews of this video are correct in the fact that it is marred by choppy editing and sometimes poor video quality. Also, the lack of any narration beyond those in the newsreel clips might be confusing to those who know little about the period. However, forget what I just said and buy this tape anyhow. Just to be able to hear the words of this great and inspiring American is a blessing. John F. Kennedy's message of courage, dedication, and sacrifice for the common good are as relevant today as they were 40 years ago. If you were born after JFK, then you definately need to see this video. If more people listened to what Kennedy was saying and tried to live up to his challenge, then this country would not be in the sorry situation that it now is. This is particularly applicable to the current self-serving national and business leadership of our country. Listen to John F. Kennedy, and remember a time when our national leadership was concerned with goals much higher than just making as much money as possible at the expense of everyone else. To listen to this inspiring speaker is to be challenged to make our country the great place it could be.

Dr King & JFK hold it down:
the rest are weak.I don't care & never cared to hear what Reagan had to say ever.Dr.King is still a Force that hasn't been touched yet.JFK was cool as a Speaker if nothing else.