The History and Theory of Rhetoric offers an accessible discussion of the history of rhetorical studies in the Western tradition, from ancient Greece to contemporary American and European theorists.

By tracing the historical progression of rhetoric from the Greek Sophists of the fifth century B.C. to contemporary studies — such as the rhetoric of science and feminist rhetoric — this texts helps students better understand what rhetoric is and what unites differing rhetorical theories throughout history. Concise and student-friendly, The History and Theory of Rhetoric uses contemporary examples throughout and emphasizes the relevance of rhetoric to today's students.