Customer Reviews

The Star-Spangled Banner: The Making of an American Icon

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American history and American myth are often inexorably intertwined, making it difficult to tell where one begins and the other takes off. Myths, after all, are meant to simplify and inspire; history to record events faithfully. The inspiring myth of peaceable Pilgrims and Indians sharing a Thanksgiving meal is maintained only by shuffling the Pequot War unceremoniously offstage. This conundrum injected an element of distrust as I picked "The Star Spangled Banner. Would it be inspiring yet inaccurate nonsense? Or brutal honesty that strips away all poetry and hope? Luckily, the book provided a balanced view of the history and stories behind the noble myths of the flag that inspired the American national anthem.

"The Star Spangled Banner" provides a wide-ranging overview of topics related to the American flag and anthem -- the War of 1812, the Battle of Baltimore, the flag's history as family keepsake, its bestowal upon the Smithsonian, and efforts to restore and display it. We get great snippets of primary materials, including James Madison's war message to Congress and Dolly Madison's (perhaps after-the fact) description of her flight from threatened Washington. The story of how Francis Scott Key came to be in Baltimore Harbor to witness the bombardment of Fort McHenry is provided as well as the story of how his little poem quickly came to national attention. Along the way, preconceptions about the flag and anthem come under some scrutiny. Was the anthem based on an old English drinking song? No -- "Anacreon in Heaven" and its relationship to an English philosophical society is examined. Is the flag in question the one that flew over Fort McHenry during the bombardment? Though the flag was almost certainly hoisted in triumph above the fort as the British abandoned their attack, the book dances around this question, providing conflicting primary evidence and letting the reader decide. And is the damage on the flag due to war, insects, or souvenir hunters? The book provides enough information for the open-minded history buff while not pressing too hard on the sometimes shaky premises of myth lovers.

I was grateful and impressed the book's gentleness cuts both ways. I especially appreciated the book's even-handed approach to dealing with the way the American flag has fit into American culture, from the Revolution to the present. The flag did not start out as the primary emblem of our nation until some years after the Revolution, during which Americans fought under a kaleidoscopic variety of banners. A short explanation of the evolving Pledge of Allegiance was instructive -- especially the way in which school children (until to WWII, for obvious reasons) saluted the flag in a way that struck later Americans as a little too similar to the Nazi salute. And the flag's use (or abuse) during the tumultuous 1960s is reported without disapproval, but with the historian's non-judgmental stance.

"The Star Spangled Banner" only falters in its later chapters when it describes the Smithsonian's acquisition of the precious relic and its various attempts to restore and display it. A little too much marketing for the Smithsonian rather than the flag, methought. But this shortcoming was vastly overshadowed by the book's high quality artwork, history, explanations and illustrations. Gorgeous, informative and (goldangit) inspiring. Great stuff!

When our children were of middle school age, we had the opportunity to visit Washington, D.C. After eating in the Castle, we crossed the street to visit the First Ladies' Inaugural Gowns. Entering the building we encountered this enormous flag hanging on the wall of the entry. We all were impressed and awed.

Now that we have grandchildren, I wanted them to experience some of that same feeling. Having read about the work on this flag, I naturally wanted to let the children share in my feelings toward our country's flag.

I was happy to find in the book a photo of the flag hanging in that entryway in addition to the history of the flag. I even bought an extra copy for their school for those children to experience that feeling.

It is so awesome to read about the history of the flag. I seen it in Washington DC and have been inspired to learn about the history of our flag. I was so amazed by it. It is so awesome to learn about our history and see it. I love the book. I wish everybody would be so interested.

This book was supposed to be new.It wasn't brand new ,though. It has two small dents in hardcover and bended corners. Also, it did not come with the original hard envelope that you slide the book in for protection.I bought the original book at the Smithsonian museum for 30 $ including the protective case as a gift.So overall I shouldn't complaine because I got this one for a great price and I give it 4x*:)