Long May She Wave: A Graphic History of the American Flag [Hardcover]

Kit Hinrichs (Author), Delphine Hirasuna (Author), Terry Heffernan (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 9, 2001

From one of the world's leading graphic designers comes a stunning tribute to America's most enduring icon-the Stars and Stripes.The Revolutionary Congress resolved in 1777 that "the flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white, that the Union be 13 white stars in a blue field representing a new constellation." Since that time, the American flag has been raised high in wartime triumph and peacetime celebration; burned in fervent protest; sewn lovingly onto quilts, caps, pillows, and bags; appropriated by the commercial sphere to sell goods as varied as cigars, and designer clothing, and rock-and-roll albums; and faithfully honored every 4th of July to celebrate America's independence. This collection of more than 3,000 Stars and Stripes artifacts ranges from Civil War-era banners and Native American braided moccasins to an early 20th-century "friendship" kimono and original flag art by several of the world's leading designers. In its deluxe format with over 500 illustrations, LONG MAY SHE WAVE gives wide berth to the flag in all its manifestations, and the result is a stunning visual history of America'¬?s most treasured symbol.Full-color throughout, with over 500 illustrations in a deluxe 11 x 14-inch volume-LONG MAY SHE WAVE is the perfect gift for folk-art appreciators, history buffs, and collectors.Features the 3,000-piece exhibit that was displayed at the American Institute of Graphic Arts and the San Jose Museum of Art in 2000. From toy soldiers to collectable spoons, cigar blankets to historic flags—the breadth of the collection is unrivaled.For a list of appearances by this author, check out our Calendar of Events.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Over the last 224 years, the Stars and Stripes has been through endless permutations and representations. Long May She Wave: A Graphic History of the American Flag presents 500 color illustrations of Old Glory, depicted on pencils, fans, Christmas ornaments, penknives, compacts, belt buckles and in modern art. Kit Hinrichs's 3,000-piece flag collection, photographed here by Terry Heffernan, forms the basis of the book (written with Delphine Hirasuna) and includes Hinrichs's great-great-great-aunt's 1865 banner. The introduction by Museum of American Folk Art director Gerard Wertkin provides historical context (Why do flags adorn public schools? When did the practice of a stripe for each state become unwieldy?) for the mesmerizing graphics.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

The American Flag consists of color photographs of flags flying at various places in the United States. Although it is nice to peruse, the photographs are not documented in any way, and packaging a polyester 3' x 5' flag with the book adds to its gimmicky feel. Long May She Wave is recommended for public libraries and should appeal to flag enthusiasts, historians, and collectors. The American Flag Book and Gift Set is not recommended for library purchase. Jennifer Mayer, Univ. of Wyoming Libs., Laramie
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Ten Speed Press (May 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580082408
• ISBN-13: 978-1580082402
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 1.2 x 14.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,071,837 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Memorable Collection of Old Glory in All Her Glory!, May 31, 2001

By 

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This review is from: Long May She Wave: A Graphic History of the American Flag (Hardcover)

Mr. Kit Hinrichs has done Americans a great favor by both collecting and sharing with the world his remarkable flag-based memorabilia. Nothing will get and keep you in the mood of the Fourth of July quite like this book. The book displays on huge color pages more varieties of the flag, and flag-incorporating designs than you would normally see in a lifetime. The remarkable artifacts are framed by an interesting essay about the American flag's origins and a colorful chronological history of the flag. The book also serves as an indirect source of perspective on American culture, by looking at how we employ symbols.

The American flag developed into a national symbol fairly slowly. The Continental Congress did not get around to legislating what it was to look like until 1777. Even then, the description was pretty loose so designs varied a lot. The original purpose was to help ships tell friend from foe. The book also places doubts about the role of Betsy Ross in making the first flag. So you will probably learn a lot here. Did you know that the pledge of allegiance was not made official until 1942?

The flag is displayed here in celebrations, commerce, art, folk art, Native American art, toys, politics, political protests, and war. The most moving examples to me are the battle flags from the Civil War. A family heirloom flag from that war helped Mr. Hinrichs become interested in collecting.

My favorite images in the book included 10,000 cadets making a living flag in a photograph appearing on a postcard from Great Lakes, Illinois; sparkling rhinestone pins; a flag-shaped cancellation of a postage stamp from around 1890; two op art flags using complementary colors; woven ribbons; a Time Magazine souvenir flag; the Sports Illustrated "Great American Sport" image using baseballs and bats; a Nokia cell phone from 1999; the variations on the design used as protests; and a flag from World War II used to promote war bonds that proclaims "Remember Pearl Harbor."

You will see American flags in tattoos, on cigar wrappers, carried on car hood ornaments, held by toy soldiers, embroidered into samplers, and woven into all kinds of materials. The huge sprawling energy of a pioneering nation is well captured by the diversity of the media and designs represented here.

After you read about and look at these images, think about what the American flag means to you. How do you convey those meanings to your family and friends?

Our flag means to us what we make of it!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning, inspiring, and grand..., September 27, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Long May She Wave: A Graphic History of the American Flag (Hardcover)

I stumbled on this title when it appeared as the centerpiece to a local store display of flag books that went up in the wake of September 11th. The stunning production and the breadth of material represented provide a truly unique insight into the power of the American flag as a symbol (of freedom, to be sure, but also as a symbol of revolution, grief, and pride). If you want the full impact of the flag's place in our history, as a graphic element that appears in everything from memorials to toys to pop art to protest banners (and more), this is the book. The text is limited but insightful, just enough to complement the tremendous variety of objects from the author's personal collection. I never failed to find new wonders on each page (including manifestations of the flag I would never have imagined), and in sum the book also amounts to a testament to American ingenuity. There's nothing else like it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A true coffee table book, November 10, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Long May She Wave: A Graphic History of the American Flag (Hardcover)

This book is fascinating. It is one you can pick up and browse a bit and become lost in the art and imagery of an icon that is so familiar we rarely take a good look at it. By sharing his collection with us, Mr. Hinrichs takes us beyond the simple stars and stripes to a visual history of our country.

Anyone familiar with graphic design should recognize Mr. Hinrichs' work. The overall presentation of the piece is incredible. I call it "the true coffee table book" because I think it is one can be opened and looked at and enjoyed a few pages at a time, and isn't that the purpose of a coffee table book?

The timing of the work is fascinating. Although initially published this spring, it is extremely appropriate for the new wave of patriotism that has swept this country since the tragic events in September.