Customer Reviews

The National Anthem (True Books: American History)

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Do you know the words to our national anthem, "The Star-spangled Banner?" If so you are in the minority because only about one-third of Americans do. You're probably anxious for the singer to finish in order for your ball game to get started, but after you read this book you may have a new appreciation for the song. In 1814 the British forces, after capturing Washington, D.C., were having a grand old time setting fire to buildings and creating mayhem in the general area. When a couple of British soldiers were in Baltimore Dr. William Beanes tried to have them arrested, but the tables were turned and he was captured.

Francis Scott Key and John Skinner were sent to negotiate his release and they ended up in captivity in the "harbor, close to Fort McHenry" because their captors thought they "may have overheard [their] plans during their dinner on the ship." In this book you will learn that the Americans suspected this attack, how Major George Armistead flew a huge American flag over Fort McHenry to entice the British, who made this massive flag, you'll learn about the attack on Fort McHenry, how Key watched the battle in a small boat, the poem he wrote about the battle, how it came to be the national anthem and what happened to that "star-spangled banner" that waved over the fort.

This is one of the more fascinating True Books I've read. There were many interesting historical facts about the flag and our national anthem that many young people may not be aware of. For example, "Francis Scott Key wrote his poem on the back of a letter" on a small boat within sight of the battle at Fort McHenry. The book is clear, concise, well written and researched. Scattered throughout the book are informative sidebars, numerous informative vignettes, photographs, illustrations, art reproductions, a timeline and a map. In the back of the book are "important words," an index, a page of statistics and additional recommended book, organization and web site resources. Do you know who made this star-spangled banner? If not, you might want to read this book!