Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents: William McKinley; Messages, Proclamations, and Executive Orders Relating to the Spanish-American War

This volume brings together the official communications of President William McKinley during the pivotal months of the Spanish‑American War. Readers will hear the very words he sent to Congress, the nation, and foreign powers—messages, proclamations, and executive orders that shaped a conflict that turned the United States onto the world stage. Presented exactly as they were delivered, the collection offers a clear window into the decision‑making process of a president at war.

The book also sketches McKinley’s own story, from his modest Ohio upbringing and Civil‑War service to his rise through state and national politics. Those early experiences help explain the tone and resolve behind his wartime directives. Listeners gain both a personal portrait of the man and a firsthand record of the policies that guided America through a brief but consequential conflict.