To mark Barack Obama’s inauguration, a very special compilation of historical articles on the presidencies of those who preceded him.

The Economist has trawled its archives to launch a special audio compilation of readings from a series of historic articles on the inaugurations of those who preceeded Barack Obama, from James Polk to George W. Bush.

The collection is packed with history and drama: America teetering on the brink of Civil War as Lincoln took office; Reagan’s inaugural speech as the world waited for news of the release of the Teheran hostages; Hoover telling the American people they were “nearer to the final triumph over poverty than ever before in the history of any land”, shortly before the stock market crashed and plunged the US into Depression. During the period it covers, eight vice presidents stepped up to the plate, after presidents failed to complete their term (four assassinations, three deaths from natural causes, and one resignation – Nixon’s, to avoid impeachment after the Watergate scandal.)

On ANDREW JOHNSON: ‘The difficulty of creating a strong government in America is almost insuperable. The people in the first place dislike government… to such a degree that they have invented a quasi-philosophical theory, proving that Government, like war or harlotry, is a “necessary evil”…’

On FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT: ‘He began by saying it was time to state the truth boldly and frankly… There must be strict supervision of banking, an end to speculation with other people’s money, and provision for an adequate but sound currency…’

On JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY: ‘The biggest among the many burdens now taken up by the new President of the United States may be the burden of great expectations…’

Read by some of British radio’s most memorable and authoritative voices, including Peter Donaldson and John Waite, this is a unique opportunity to celebrate the Presidential Inauguration in audio.

Also available as a 5 CD boxed set – click here