Saving "Old Glory" [Paperback]

Robert Justin Goldstein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1997 | ISBN-10: 0813333008 | ISBN-13: 978-0813333007

Updated to include recent Congressional debates on a constitutional amendment and the controversy over an Arizona art show, this is an historical analysis of the debate over the desecration of the American flag. It takes readers from the 1989 flag-burning incident that ignited an emotionally-charged controversy across the nation back to the origins of the flag as a symbol of America. The flag did not become an object of veneration until the end of the Civil War, when groups of ultra-patriotic citizens and veterans lobbied hard to give it unique status as a symbol of the nation. Objections to unorthodox uses of the flag first arose around the turn of the century, when it was appropriated for commercial, advertising, and "mainstream" political purposes. Although feelings ran high during these early debates, today such uses are commonplace and, ironically, are generally viewed as patriotic. In the early 1900s popular concern shifted to the apparent threat posed by "un-American, subversive" radicals, immigrants, and organized workers. That controversy died down in the 1920s, and the flag did not make headlines again until the emergence of broad opposition to US involvement in the Vietnam War fuelled a clash between defenders of the flag and defenders of free speech, who contended that burning the flag was a form of political speech and therefore protected by the First Amendment. In his analysis, Goldstein argues that the most recent desecration controversy reflects not only the genuine pride and patriotism of the people but also a disturbingly shallow grasp of the underlying substance of the political freedom that the flag is meant to symbolize. He contends that this failure fully to comprehend the nature of the freedoms on which the American nation is founded raises questions about the vigour and integrity of contemporary American society.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Goldstein (political science, Oakland Univ., Michigan) here discusses the history of the American flag, focusing on the controversies surrounding its desecration. Though the states originally passed laws preventing desecration of the flag, until recently the Supreme Court has upheld protesters' desecration of the flag as protected by the First Amendment. Not until the 1970s did the court move away from this interpretation. In an extremely readable book based on thorough research, Goldstein argues that the most recent desecration controversy reflects pride, patriotism, and a shallow grasp of political freedom. The only flaw with the work is its conclusion, which introduces ideas not supported in the text. Notwithstanding, this book is extremely useful for scholars and informed lay readers, especially since there are few historical works dealing with the flag controversies.
Richard Hedlund, Ashland Community Coll., Ky.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins (Short Disc) (January 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813333008
• ISBN-13: 978-0813333007
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,353,947 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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