Modern American Prose Selections

This modest volume gathers twenty pieces of contemporary American prose, offering a snapshot of the nation’s intellectual climate in the early 1920s. Readers hear Roosevelt’s tribute to Lincoln, Wilson’s reflective essay on personal responsibility, and a forward‑looking address on immigration policy that still resonates today. Interwoven are lively discussions of labor‑capital relations, the role of the classics in education, and essays that celebrate both rugged entrepreneurship and humble self‑improvement.

In addition, the anthology presents two poignant autobiographical excerpts—Booker T. Washington’s uplifting rise from slavery and the moving story of a Danish immigrant who helped shape America’s identity. Short but insightful literary critiques by Bliss Perry and Carl Becker clarify complex ideas without sacrificing charm. Altogether, the collection invites listeners to explore the ideas that helped define a generation, all delivered in clear, engaging language that feels as relevant now as it was a century ago.