The Yankee International: Marxism and the American Reform Tradition, 1848-1876

Product Description The speeches of Robert Green Ingersoll (1833-1899), "the Great Agnostic," sparked great controversy in 19th-century America, and are well published even today. But Ingersoll also spoke to reporters -- some friendly, some not. This valuable archive of rare articles, 65 Press Interviews With Robert G. Ingersoll, collects from over two dozen newspapers Ingersoll's comments on freethought, the Bible, heaven and hell, miracles, church creeds, missionaries, Sunday blue laws, prohibition, anarchism, aging, current events, and even on theater, music, literature, and summer vacations. The introduction is by Madalyn Murray O'Hair, founder of American Atheists Inc. The foreword is by Richard M. Smith. Review This book is necessary reading for everyone who values freedom and treasures liberty -- of mind as well as body. -- Frank R. Zindler, editor, American Atheist Press About the Author Robert Green Ingersoll (1833-99) was an American orator. Son of a Congregationalist minister, he was trained in law and admitted to the Bar in 1854, and he rapidly showed promise of becoming one of the most brilliant attorneys in America. His title of Colonel belongs to the Civil War, when he served in the cavalry. He began in 1960 to give Rationalist lectures, and during the next 30 years his vibrant oratory, warm sentiment, and impressive personality made him the most effective force for progress in the New World. His direct and trenchant criticism of Christianity, enlivened by wit and satire and infused with the rich and fine emotionalism of his character, instead of alienating believers, drew crowded audiences in nearly every town in America. ...he was one of America's greatest orators, and second only to Voltaire in the history of Rationalism. Joseph McCabe, A Rationalist Encyclopaedia