In this book, Ben Voth argues that the centennial of the modern presidency embodied in the rhetoric of presidents Wilson, Harding and Coolidge provides an opportunity to re-examine our conventional understanding of U.S. presidents and presidential rankings. In particular, this book focuses on Wilson, Harding, and Coolidge's rhetoric surrounding women's suffrage and the political treatment of Black Americans. Voth demonstrates that ideological considerations elevated Wilson too high in presidential rankings and sabotaged Harding to an unwarranted ethical floor. Scholars of communication, rhetoric, and American history will find this book of particular interest.

Ben Voth is professor of rhetoric and director of debate and speech programs at Southern Methodist University, USA. His latest book is An Invitation to Debate: Reasoning and Argument as a Framework for Civil Society. As a collegiate speech and debate director he has coached more than five world champions, more than thirty national champions, and more than fifty state champions in speech and debate competitions over the past thirty years. He is also the author of Rwanda Rising: Debate as an Empowering International Pedagogy and The Rhetoric of Genocide: Death as a Text, as well as co-author with Robert E. Denton of Social Fragmentation and the Decline of American Democracy: The End of the Social Contract.