The Flag, the Poet and the Song: The Story of the Star-Spangled Banner

Book Description

Every American knows "The Star-Spangled Banner," even if we can't sing it to save our lives. But how many people know what really happened through the perilous night that led a Washington lawyer to pen his historic ode?

Like the subjects of Cod or Longitude, our national anthem is something taken for granted. But it was not always so. In this remarkable, flawlessly researched book, New York Times reporter Irvin Molotsky tells the story behind the story and, in the process, reveals an important piece of our country's heritage. Molotsky brings both legendary and unknown events and figures to vivid life-from the flag's seamstress to the military heroes of the War of 1812. In witty, accessible language, he charts the little-known events leading up to the war, and the far-reaching impact this obscure conflict has had on our national psyche. The Flag, the Poet, and the Song also uncovers the facts and fallacies surrounding the flag and the song, from the tremendous size of the flag to why we continue trying to sing our anthem to this day.

Brimming with fascinating Americana, The Flag, the Poet, and the Song is a book that will be read and reread, whether you're a lover of history, a patriot, or just waiting for the umpire to say "play ball!"

Customer Reviews:

The Defence of Fort McHenry.......2006-05-26

This book began as a newspaper article on the conservation of the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key during September 13-14, 1814. Chapter 1 tells how it is song before every baseball, football, basketball, hockey, and soccer game in the United States. The television networks use that time for commercials. The wide range of the anthem is difficult for the average person. Robert Merrill advocates playing it more briskly, as a march (p.11). The huge flag that flew over Fort McHenry in 1814 was made by Mary Young Pickersgill. Major Armistead wanted a flag so large the enemy could see it from a distance. The flag over Fort McHenry had 15 stars and 15 stripes, the standard from 1794 to 1818 (p.77). It was 30 feet high and 42 feet long, and weighed 80 pounds.

Chapter 3 explains "The Second War of Independence". One item was the impressment of British subjects. These seamen worked for higher wages aboard American ships. Many were called deserters but they had been abducted by impressment gangs. The Embargo was tried and failed. The British practice of seizing crewmen from ships provoked a declaration of war in June 1812. There were other causes (pp.39-42). The canceling of the British Orders in Council came after the war was declared. America became an ally of Napoleon. The British rejected the American right of citizenship to British subjects (Chapter 4). General William Hull, the governor of Michigan Territory, surrendered Detroit (pp.47-48). The attack on Canada ended in a retreat. The attack on York (Toronto) and its burning led to the burning of Washington in retaliation (p.50). After the defeat of Napoleon the British now concentrated on the United States, raiding Maryland and Virginia, Washington DC was lightly guarded as it was not much of a military target (p.54). The enemy of the British was the August heat (dehydration).

Baltimore in 1814 was the third largest city, a center of shipping, commerce, industry, and shipbuilding. The British approached by sea. Dr. William Beanes was arrested by the British (p.71). Richard West, a patient, got lawyer Francis Scott Key to free Beanes; he was accompanied by Colonel John S. Skinner, an exchanged prisoner of war. This flag did not fly over Fort McHenry during the British bombardment because of the rain; a smaller storm flag was used (p.90). At dawn the much larger flag was run up the flagpole. Key's poem was printed by his brother-in-law Judge Joseph H. Nicholson, the second-in-command at Fort McHenry; it quickly caught popular favor (p.93). Ferdinand Durang, a musician, adapted the words to the old tune "Anacreon in Heaven". It quickly gained a national reputation throughout the country. The next week Key changed its name to "The Star-Spangled Banner". Francis Scott Key was an important person in his day, but his only moment of fame was his poem (p.97).

The remaining chapters cover other topics. Chapter 7 tells about the Treaty of Ghent which ended the war. It was a victory for America because it united the nation (p.131). Britain never again interfered with American shipping. The pause of commerce with Europe made industry flourish in America. The flag did not enjoy its status until the Civil War (p.134). Chapter 8 has the history of the flag and the song. During the Civil War Fort McHenry was a prison; one prisoner was the grandson of Francis Scott Key (p.147). Chapter 9 gives the history of the National Anthem. It was adopted by the Army and Navy in the 1890s. The song was used in Puccini's 'Madame Butterfly' in 1904. It became official in March 3, 1931 (p.151). It supplanted the older song "Yankee Doodle" (more easily sung by the people).

Little substance.......2005-11-30

The information presented in Mr. Molotsky's book would boil down to a good Smithsonian or National Geographic article, but feels padded out at 240 pages. In fact, the book had its origins as a NY Times article on the restoration of the flag that flew at Ft McHenry.

The author repeatedly goes over the same ground, labors certain points while skimming over other seemingly crucial information, quotes lengthy excerpts, and goes off on tangents that seem to have nothing to do with the central premise.

Still, I learned a thing or two about a glossed-over chapter in American history. It may whet your appetite for more in depth coverage of the subject.

Play Ball.......2002-03-14

What starts out as a witty account of the origins of "The Star Spangled Banner" and the text to it, continues into repetitions and ends with endless reprints of Supreme Court decisions and congressional hearings. Points go to the author for reminding us of the half-forgotten war of 1812 and for giving us a good overview. Pity he could not stop in time.

Patriotic read.......2002-02-25

Just to preface the review: I was sitting in a restaurant reading this book when the waitress asked me what I was reading. I explained the book, and she said who was on the cover. I said it was a picture of Francis Scott Key. She said, "Oh, the man they named the Florida Keys after."

For those Americans who don't know their history, particularly the often untold truths of the War of 1812 and the contentiousness over our national anthem, this book is a perfect place to start. It's short, informational and at times very humorous. Molotsky brings the reader history and current debate on topics such as flag burning and how to preserve that wonderful flag that flew over Fort McHenry.

I learned some new things in this book, and if the response from the waitress is any indication, this country is in need of a few more history lessons. This a short read but the value cannot be underscored.

Under the Red, White, & Blue.......2001-09-10

As an author of a novel in its initial release that addresses, among other themes, the essence of what makes an American an American, I genuinely enjoyed Irvin Molotsky's THE FLAG, THE POET, & THE SONG. Mr. Molotsky, a semi-retired newspaperman, spins a wonderful tale about the history of our national anthem. This book is light. It is a popular history. It is amusing, yet it is most enlightening. Mr. Molotsky presents a history of the War of 1812, which led directly to Francis Scott Key's composing of the poem that became the song. He discusses the American invasion of Canada (yes, we did invade Canada) and the burning of Toronto (then York) that led to the British infamous torching of Washington (I bet that was in your history books). He also paints a portrait of Francis Scott Key (a distant relative of F. Scott Fitzgerald whose masterpiece THE GREAT GATSBY was briefly called UNDER THE RED, WHITE, & BLUE--which I used for the title of this review) who reluctantly joined the militia during the war. Mr. Molotsky additionally explains the compostion of the poem, its linkage to a British drinking song, and its evolution into the national anthem with the final two words "Play Ball!" THE FLAG, THE POET, & THE SONG is a informative book. It is well-written. I recommend it highly.

Average customer rating:

A book that you'll love!
Beautiful, patriotic, and informative
Terrific illustrations, great information
Sebastian
Alexis

The Flag We Love
Pam Munoz Ryan
Manufacturer: Charlesbridge Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Picture Books | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Pledge Of Allegiance 2001
F Is For Flag (Reading Railroad Books)
Red, White, and Blue (All Aboard Reading , Level 2)
The Star Spangled Banner (Pictureback(R))
L Is for Liberty (Reading Railroad Books)

ASIN: 1570917078

Book Description

Enjoy a red-white-and-blue introduction to our nation's most cherished ideals in this look at Old Glory. Dazzling illustrations and inspiring verse bring to life many famous moments in our country's history and reveal fascinating facts about one of its most enduring symbols.

Customer Reviews:

A book that you'll love!.......2007-10-02

The history, meaning and importance of our American flag is presented for young readers in rhyme with magnificent illustrations that will be sure to inspire. At the bottom of every page is more historical data, such as the planting of a flag on the moon six times for each Apollo mission, the meaning of our colors, and the myths surrounding the making of our first flag.

How nice to see a patriotic message that entertains and inspires.

Beautiful, patriotic, and informative.......2005-05-05

This beautiful book opens with Muñoz's first inspiring verse:

Our flag is our country's symbol
Of ideals that are meant to last
It's a promise for our future
A reminder of our past....

The accompanying illustration by Ralph Masiello shows a freshly whitewashed barn with an American flag gracing one side. A farmer's furrowed field, a vast blue sky and bucolic setting complete the scene. Each page that follows presents another verse, accompanying illustration, and a text box that imparts a piece of our flag's history to the reader. The book is stunning to look at, informative and heartwarming to read. It is a good introduction to youngsters about how our flag came to be, how it's changed over the years, and its meaning to us as citizens.

Carolyn Rowe Hill

Terrific illustrations, great information.......2003-08-05

This book is a great way to teach children about the Amnerican flag through rhyme and pictures. You can focus primarily on the rhymes for younger children and then focus on the factual information given as a sidebar on each page for older children. Wonderful resource!

Sebastian.......2002-01-23

The Flag We Love is about the American flag and people willing to die for their country. My favorite picture is when it shows the Viet Nam wall.It is so patriotic. The illustration is so detailed and realistic. I just enjoyed the book very much.

Alexis.......2002-01-23

I think The Flag We Love by Pam Munoz Ryan is a special book in its own honorable,patriotic,and unique way.It tells about
the flags at the Viet Nam Wall and who died. That's why I think it's Special.

Average customer rating:

Good for Kindergarten
Old Glory

Meet Our Flag, Old Glory
April Jones Prince
Manufacturer: Little, Brown Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Picture Books | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Baby-3 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Genealogy | Reference | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

F Is For Flag (Reading Railroad Books)
Pledge Of Allegiance 2001
I Pledge Allegiance
Red, White, and Blue (All Aboard Reading , Level 2)
The Flag We Love

ASIN: 0316738093

Book Description

his is the perfect pick for the budding patriot! Lively verse in large, easy-to-read type is paired with bold illustrations to create a stunning book about the American flag for even the youngest reader. A comprehensive history of the flag is included at the end, making this book especially useful for both classroom and home all year round.

Customer Reviews:

Good for Kindergarten.......2007-09-17

I teach Kindergarten and have found the patriotic books for this level difficult to locate. This book was perfect for the students. They were able to relate to simple text and LOVED the beautiful and bright pictures. What a great find!

Old Glory.......2005-09-06

An easy read book for young children. Facts at the end of the book make it useful for older children too.

Carrying the Flag: The Story of Private Charles Whilden, the Confederacy's Most Unlikely Hero

Average customer rating:

Excellent
A private changes the course of an entire war
Great for buffs, and raises questions...
AN UNLIKELY HERO
Delightful and Informative

Carrying the Flag: The Story of Private Charles Whilden, the Confederacy's Most Unlikely Hero
Gordon C. Rhea
Manufacturer: Basic Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Military & Spies | Professionals & Academics | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Americas | History | Subjects | Books

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

All Deals | Blowout Books | Stores | Books

Biographies & Memoirs | Blowout Books | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Boyer's the Enduring Vision: A History of the American People
To the North Anna River: Grant And Lee, May 13-25, 1864 (Jules and Frances Landry Award Series)
The Battles For Spotsylvania Court House And The Road To Yellow Tavern, May 7-12, 1864
The Enduring Vision Volume I: to 1877 Concise
The Battle Of The Wilderness, May 5-6, 1864

ASIN: 0465069568
Release Date: 2003-12-23

Book Description

The story of Private Charles Whilden, a hapless South Carolinian whose bravery at the Battle of Spotsylvania in 1864 prolonged the Civil War for the Confederates

For forty years, Charles Whilden lived a life noteworthy for failure. Then, in a remarkable chain of events, this aging, epileptic desk clerk from Charleston found himself plunged into the brutal battlefields of the Wilderness (May 57, 1864) and Spotsylvania Court House (May 820, 1864). In an astonishing act of bravery, he wrapped the flag around his body and led a charge that won critical ground for the Confederates, changing the course of one of the war's most significant battles.

Gordon C. Rhea combines his deep knowledge of Civil War history with original sources, such as a treasure trove of letters written by Charles Whilden, to tell the story of this unusual life. Growing up in a prominent family that had fallen on hard times, Charles received a good education, and his letters reveal flashes of intelligence. But he failed at the practice of law in his home state and in his endeavors elsewhere, including copper speculation, real estate ventures, and farming. After the attack on Fort Sumter, Charles returned to Charleston to enlist in Confederate service, only to be turned down until the rebellion was on its last legs. Even then he saw only a few weeks of combat. But in that time, he discovered a bravery within himself that nothing in his former existence suggested he had.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent.......2007-08-03

Rhea - his trilogy was excellent but this book is exquisite and is highly recommended.

A private changes the course of an entire war.......2006-10-09

A General or a Colonel certainly has the ability to alter the course of
history or make his name well-known to his countrymen through actions.
But does a common private lost within the ranks have the same ability?
Gordon Rhea answers this question brilliantly in this book about a
middle-aged Confederate private set amongst two of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War.
Charles Whilden went from obscurity to fame at a place called the
Bloody Angle, a key position on the battlefield of Spotsylvania Courthouse, where he carried a tattered battle flag in front of a desperate charge that eventually led to a Confederate victory and prolonged an already endless war. Without Whilden's heroics, the Confederates wouldn't have rallied for victory and would likely have been crushed, along with the Confederacy itself. Does this make Whilden a hero or a villain? After all, the 'victory' that he initiated was only short-lived, and only led to more death and destruction. This is one of the questions that may come across a reader's mind amidst the awe and respect for the common infantryman that develops over the course of this book.Another question is this: How many other Private Whilden's are there scattered about America's short, yet war-ridden, past? Was there a Private Whilden at San Juan Hill, or Iwo Jima, or Saratoga? Rhea's ability to shrink something as grand as war into something as familiar as a common man fighting for a cause has a way of reminding us that wars are not fought by generals. Not only that, but his descriptions of the two brutal campaigns of The Wilderness and Spotsylvania Courthouse would make any Civil War buff foam at the mouth.
One man can change the course of history. This book will teach you
that if nothing else. But, more important, it also teaches that the common soldier, no matter what side he fights for, is driven by a courage that should at the very least be honored and always respected.

Great for buffs, and raises questions..........2005-09-04

For anyone wanting to learn the specifics of two major battles between Grant and Lee, this book is excellent. I am always glad to see books that resist glorification by detailing the horrendous conditions of some of the most brutal fighting of the war, which is saying a lot. SPOILER--But the author couldn't resist talking about Whilden's actions as heroic and how the day was won for the Confederacy as if it were a truly noble outcome. Now look at it another way: if Whildon were shot down and the Rebels didn't have a rallying point to successfully rienforce the earthworks, then Grant would've plowed through, cutting Lee's army in half and most likely defeat them. With this outcome, you would not have had the endless series of massacres throughout central Virginia, no siege of Petersburg, no Cold Harbor. With the war over, you probably wouldn't have Atlanta and Colombia in ashes and the atrocity of Sherman's March. Just food for thought-Discuss...

AN UNLIKELY HERO.......2005-04-15

The author, Gordon Rhea, notes in the INTRODUCTION that "....books about privates are rare" and continues "None tell a story half as fascinating as that of Charles Whilden...." The text is a brief account of Whilden's life stating that his first forty years were characterized by mediocrity and failure. However, Whilden's brief fifteen minutes of glory came at the Bloody Angle at Spotsylvania Court House where he vividly demonstrated the capacity of an insignificant player "to alter the course of history."

Chapter 1 gives a short review of the 1864 strategic conditions in central Virginia which "By most estimates, 1864 loomed as the war's decisive year." In March 1864 President Lincoln made Grant commander-in-chief whose aim was the destruction of the Confederate armies, not to capture territory. The author observed "Thus the stage set for the Civil War's decisive campaign....The campaign would be a duel to the death between Grant and Lee, the best generals either side could field. The prize was the fate of two nations." Chapter 2 presents a concise account of pre-Civil War Charleston, S.C. stating the source of Charleston's wealth was rice and that the city's affluence "rested on the back of slaves." The author gives an interesting review of the area's concern about a slave rebellion and continues "As the Carolina Low country's slave population grew so grew the white minority's unease about servile insurrection."

After a unsuccessful brief career as a lawyer, Charles moved to Detroit where his lack of success continued to plague him.He left Detroit in 1855 and accompanied Colonel Grayson to Santa Fe, New Mexico as the colonel's personal secretary. In Santa Fe his mediocre success continued. When the Civil War commenced, Charles began the long trip home to Charleston. The ship he was on heading for the Carolina coast was badly damaged; and his health was compromised; for the rest of his life he suffered from epileptic seizures. In Charleston he tried to enlist a number of times; but due to his epilepsy he was unsuccessful in enlisting. By January 1864, Confederate manpower shortages were critical; and at age 39 Whilden was at last able to enlist as a private in Company I of the 1st Carolina at Orange Court House in February 1864.

Author Rhea uses Whilden and the 1st Carolina as the narrative vehicle for an interesting account of the battles of The Wilderness and at Spotsylvania. Whilden's unit was "destined to the worst of the campaign's carnage." Whilden received his baptism-under-fire on May 5 in the Battle of the Wilderness, had not run and was appointed as flag barrier when the flag barrier was wounded. Rhea observes "The post of flag bearer was important, not only for sentimental reasons but for practical ones as well." Charles career as a color barrier was off to a bad start as Union General Hancock troops overran Charles's unit. Only the last minute arrival of Confederate General Longstreet on May 6th saved the day. On the night of May 7-8 Grant's and Lee's armies moved south to the vicinity of Spotsylvania Court House where Lee erected sophisticated earthworks. The text briefly narrates Grant's fruitless efforts over the next three days to break through Lee's battlements.

Lee had erected a salient, nicknamed The Mule Shoe, and Grant had selected it for a massive attack by Union General Hancock on May 12. Union troops soon overran the pickets and the outer earthworks including the high ground, referred to as "the angle", to the Confederate left. The author gives a chilling account of the gruesome, bloody chaotic fighting as the Confederates fought to regain the angle and survive. Lee ordered General McGowan's brigade into the Mule Shoe. Charles, "still wracked by seizures" clearly understood the situation and fixing his eyes on the angle, carried the flag never expecting to reach the angle alive. When the flag was shot from its pole, Whilden wrapped the flag around his body. Behind him followed a "motley band of rebels." By ten o'clock in the morning Charles led his fellow Southerners to take over the Bloody Angle thus saving the battle for the Confederates. The butchery of May 12 was horrendous with the two armies suffering approximately seventeen thousand causalities. While Lee had won another battle, "the war in Virginia settled into a siege that would last ten months....but Grant had won the campaign, destroying the Army of Northern Virginia's offensive capacity."

His epilepsy making him unfit for service Charles returned to Charleston in August 1864 and was discharged after only eight months of duty. On September 25, 1866, during an epileptic seizure he fell facedown in a mud puddle, and drowned. While there are no monuments to Charles Whilden, his heroic action on May 12, 1864 at the Bloody Angle lives on as a tribute to the potential of an insignificant player who altered the course of Civil War history.

Gordon Rhea has done considerable research on the campaigns of 1864, having previously written several books on these campaigns. This is an easy book to read. Civil War buffs who want a brief/limited account of the battles of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania Court and a private who won his fifteen minutes of fame in 1864 at the Bloody Angle, will find this book interesting.

Delightful and Informative.......2004-10-08

"Carrying the Flag" is a gem of a little book telling the story of an otherwise anonymous Confederate Private who found 15 minutes of fame in 15 hours of improbable glory. While Private Whilden's exploits at Spotsylvania's Bloody Angle were unique in their specifics, one can only imagine hundreds, if not thousands, of equally heroic deeds over the course of the war by similarly obscure infantrymen.

Private Whilden's battle experience was limited to the Wilderness and Spotsylvania. Accordingly, much of author Rhea's book details just how unexceptional Private Whilden was. The material, which seemingly holds little promise, in fact makes for an appealing window on the "middle class" antebellum South. In the end, if you can't applaud Private Whilden's take on the world and his place in it, you can surely understand it and, perhaps even applaud the depth of his commitment to it.

One of the most attractive features of the book, for me, is the compelling way in which Private Whilden's two battles unfold. There is the usual blood and gore, but more important, the narrative, complemented by just one map of each of the battlefields, is as clear as any I've read. The tactical story is the focus, but the operational and strategic context is cogently sketched in as well. Indeed, I would recommend the two battle sequences as among the best, most comprehensible short summaries of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania that I have read.

A very nice, very readable addition to the literature; highly recommended.

My Story of the War: A Woman's Narrative of Four Years Personal Experience as Nurse in the Union Army, and in Relief Work at Home, in Hospi

Average customer rating:

My Story of the War: A Woman's Narrative of Four Years Personal Experience as Nurse in the Union Army, and in Relief Work at Home, in Hospi
Mary A. Livermore
Manufacturer: Da Capo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Women | Specific Groups | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Women at the Front: Hospital Workers in Civil War America
With Courage and Delicacy (Classic Military History)
Letters of a Civil War Nurse: Cornelia Hancock, 1863-1865
Yankee Women: Gender Battles in the Civil War
In Hospital and Camp: The Civil War Through the Eyes of Its Doctors and Nurses

ASIN: 0306806584

Threads of Honor: The True Story of a Boy Scout Troop, Perseverance, Triumph, and an American Flag

Average customer rating:

Our Flag Was Still There!
Patriotism on Earth and in Space.
Comment from the Publisher
A patriotic, thought- provoking book

Threads of Honor: The True Story of a Boy Scout Troop, Perseverance, Triumph, and an American Flag
Gordon W. Ryan
Manufacturer: Mapletree Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Genealogy | Reference | Subjects | Books

The Scouting Way
Legacy of Honor: The Values and Influence of America's Eagle Scouts
Scout Law: Quotes for Life
The Scoutmaster's Other Handbook
Get Off My Honor: The Assault on the Boy Scouts of America

ASIN: 0972807101

Book Description

A troop of Boy Scouts had arranged to have the American flag that belonged to their troop included in the flight kit of the Challenger. They had tried for the better part of a year to get this flag to fly on a space shuttle, only to be horrified to witness the explosion of the Challenger, with their flag aboard, 70 seconds after lift off. The amazing part of this story is that, nine months later, this flag was recovered, completely unscathed, from the bottom of the ocean.

Customer Reviews:

Our Flag Was Still There!.......2006-01-06

Threads of Honor by Gordon Ryan is a truly inspiring story. I was touched by Bill Tolbert's persistence and commitment to getting his troop's flag on the Challenger Shuttle. He never gave up - nor did our flag. Miraculously, it was preserved. What a wonderful reminder of those brave astronauts who gave their lives for that mission. This true story gave me a greater appreciation for my rights, my freedom and our flag!
It inspired me to be a better neighbor, a better friend and a better contributor to my community. This book would be great for Scout Leaders, Scout Troops, Space lovers, and anyone who is proud of our stars and stripes.

Patriotism on Earth and in Space........2005-08-13

An interesting story between the Boy Scouts, NASA, and the government. The book follows the story of a Scout Troop and their quest to reclaim an US Flag which traveled on a Space Shuttle mission. An inspiring story of persiverance for the "little guy" to reclaim a special prize. Easy reading and compelling story

Comment from the Publisher.......2004-04-24

The best way to describe this book, I believe, is in the words of Senator Orrin Hatch, who wrote the foreword. He says:

"The American flag is more than just a piece of cloth-it symbolizes the courage of many, and the hope of our nation. From the frontiers of America's earliest days to today's battlefields-the American flag has always represented courage, hope and perseverance. Threads of Honor is about one particular American flag whose threads touched the lives of many and whose journey inspired our nation. In today's troubled times when America is being bombarded by those who try to threaten our democracy and the freedoms we hold dear, this book will give readers a stirring reminder of the many men and women who have sacrificed, and in some instances given everything, for what the flag represents-our freedom.

"Threads of Honor is a wonderful portrait of a Boy Scout troop that wouldn't give up, their leader who instills loyalty and steadfastness, and an American flag that changed their lives forever. It is about America's space program and the frontiers it conquers. And it is a story of a journey that a small group of young men and one American flag took to help comfort a grieving nation. In short, Threads of Honor is an inspiring portrayal of the triumph of the human spirit."

- Senator Orrin Hatch

Threads of Honor is a great read for any patriotic American, but especially for any of the Boy Scouts in your life.

A patriotic, thought- provoking book.......1997-11-07

I enjoyed reading Threads of Honor. The plot was good and when the flag got chosen to be on a space flight, I was very suprised at the outcome. ( I won't ruin it for those of you who haven't yet read the book.) Well worth the read and good for any age!

A Flag for Our Country (Stories of America)

Average customer rating:

A Flag for Our Country (Stories of America)
Eve Spencer
Manufacturer: Steck-Vaughn
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Can You See the Wind? (Rookie Read-About Science)
Wind Says Good Night
Wanda's Roses
Bunny Cakes (Max and Ruby)
Big Al

ASIN: 0811480518

The Story of the Pledge of Allegiance: Discovering Our Nations Heritage (Discovering Our Nation's Heritage)

Average customer rating:

The Story of the Pledge of Allegiance: Discovering Our Nations Heritage (Discovering Our Nation's Heritage)
John Hudson Tiner
Manufacturer: Master Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

The Story of In God We Trust (Discovering Our Nation's Heritage) (Discovering Our Nation's Heritage)

ASIN: 0890513937

Book Description

This book is one in a series of books by award-winning author John Tiner for the middle elementary grades that will inform, delight, and inspire kids of all ages. These books give the factual background behind some of the great icons of American patriotism and history. Did you know that "In God We Trust" appeared on coins in America during the Civil War, but it was almost a century later before it was adopted by Congress as our national motto. "The Story of . . ." series is a perfect way to instill patriotic values into the oncoming generation.

The Bloody Battle for Suribachi: The Amazing Story of Iwo Jima that Inspired Flags of Our Fathers

Average customer rating:

The Bloody Battle for Suribachi: The Amazing Story of Iwo Jima that Inspired Flags of Our Fathers
Richard Wheeler
Manufacturer: Skyhorse Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

Book Description

The classic first-hand WWII narrative that chronicles the Marines’ savage five-day struggle to wrest Mount Suribachi from its tenacious Japanese defenders during their 35 day battle for Iwo Jima in 1945. Revised with a new introduction by the author and recently discovered photos, this book served as invaluable source material both for James Bradley’s bestseller Flags of Our Fathers as well as Clint Eastwood’s acclaimed film of the same name.

Stars and Stripes: The Story of the American Flag

Average customer rating:

A patriotic, high-spirited presentation

Stars and Stripes: The Story of the American Flag
Sarah L. Thomson
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Genealogy | Reference | Subjects | Books

Heraldry | Genealogy | Reference | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

The Flag We Love
Red, White, and Blue (All Aboard Reading , Level 2)
F Is For Flag (Reading Railroad Books)
Flag: An American Biography
Long May She Wave: A Graphic History of the American Flag

ASIN: 0060504161
Release Date: 2003-06-03

Book Description

Schools, parades, post offices, and the moon. These are just some of the places we see the American flag.

Fifty stars stand for the states that make up this country. Thirteen stripes remind us of the colonies that fought for their freedom. But the flag has not always looked the way it does today. Its history is as colored and rich as our country's past. Yet despite the ways the flag has changed in the past two hundred years, the pride, unity, and strength it inspires have never faltered.

STARS AND STRIPES: The Story of the American Flag invites readers to travel back in time and witness firsthand how our flag came to be.

Customer Reviews:

A patriotic, high-spirited presentation.......2003-07-27

Stars And Stripes: The Story Of The American Flag is a picture book by Sarah L. Thomson retelling of American history and symbolism in terms of the role that the star-and-stripes banner which has played throughout more than two centuries in rallying hopes, ranging from the tale of the flag's creation in the Revolutionary War, down to its message of endurance after the September 11th attacks. Superbly enhanced with the artwork of Bob Dacey and Debra Bandelin, Stars And Strips is a patriotic, high-spirited presentation which should have a prominent place within the young reader collections of every elementary school and community library collection in the country.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books