Star-Spangled Banner [Hardcover]

Margaret Sedeen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 19, 2001

This fascinating book explores the role of the flag through America's triumphs and tragedies: from the burning of the White House in 1812 to the planting of the flag on the moon to the days following the the September 11 attack on the United States. Learn about the evolution of the stars and stripes; the flag in war and diplomacy, the flag in exploration and the flag in daily life. A useful section on the proper display of the flag is included. Engaging, informative text and more than 250 photographs examine the story of a nation, woven into a piece of cloth.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The view of American history presented here is a somewhat simplistic and chauvinistic one, but appropriate to its focus: the origins and uses of the American flag. Sections deal with the invention of this national symbol, its wartime and diplomatic uses, its appearance in exploration of Earth and space, and its role in everyday American life. The book ends with a too-brief appendix on flag etiquette. Sedeen, a longtime National Geographic Society writer and editor, presents a well-illustrated and effectively written story; she imbues American history with an unbeat and optimistic flavor that may appeal to conservative readers. Revisionists will appreciate Sedeen's debunking of the Betsy Ross legend. This title will probably interest schools and public libraries seeking books about the flag rather than academic libraries.-- Stanley Planton, Ohio Univ.
Chillicothe Lib.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Sedeen considers the power of the American flag, once described by National Geographic as the sacred object that keeps the American soldier from being "bestialized by slaughter." Legends, such as the tale of Betsy Ross, are sorted from facts in Sedeen's congenial narrative, which stretches from Francis Scott Key's poetic declarations to recent controversies over flag desecration. Glorious color photos enhance the text. An addendum on flag etiquette explains proper display, folding, and disposal. Denise Perry Donavin --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic (November 19, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0792282531
• ISBN-13: 978-0792282532
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,938,556 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A country's flag tells much about it's people,it's history, and hope for the future., September 16, 2009

By 

J. Guild (Toronto,Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Star-Spangled Banner: Our Nation and Its Flag (Paperback)

No matter what country one lives in,their flag means something to them.However;flags of a country mean a great deal to people of other countries as well.
This is an excellent book describing the history of America's flag.It covers the history of the development of the flag as well as other flags that were used up to the time that the flag ,as we know it today, came into being.
It would be a fair guess that the American flag is probably the most recognized flag that the world has ever seen.There are some flags that have been around longer,but no flag has ever proclaimed the spirit of a country so well as the Star-Spangled Banner.
It has accompanied Americans as they travelled the world in trade,helping people in every concievable manner,and particulary in times of war.Many countries have seen enemies invade their homelands,massacred their people,destroyed their cities and when all hope seemed lost;the American flag was was welcomed sight bringing peace and hope back to their homelands.
At home ,the American flag has been ever present throughout every part of the country's history.Whether fkying from one's home,a patch on a uniform,leading a parade,decorating a platform,adding color to an event,flying over a school or the country's Capital,decorating a fallen vetern's casket or grave,commemorating man's landing on the Moon,a ceremony of Pledging Alliegence,proudly adorning a lapel,used endlessly in art,and every manner imaginable by people to express pride in their country and remind themselves ,and the world at large, that their dream is Life,Liberty and The Pursuit of Happiness for all.
There are also those greatest moments in history which are remembered with the American flag front and center.These moments,such as during the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British,Flags adorning posters calling for Patriotism during War,Marines risking thir lives to raise the Stars and Srripes at Iwo Jima,moments of great country grief at the killing of their Presidents Lincoln and Kennedy,and particularly during those days terrible days of national grief combined with resolve of 9/11 that this book is meant to remind people that whatever America faced in the past or will face in the future;one thing is for certain..The Star-Spangled Banner will be there in all its Glory.
When one sees the flag of a country,it seems that it represents the government of that country.It is not the same when one sees the American flag.The message that it carries is that it is the flag of the American people.

3 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Dumb and dumber, December 27, 2001

By 

Albert S. Kirsch (Bal Harbor, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Star-Spangled Banner: Our Nation and Its Flag (Paperback)

Anyone who can't spell "its" correctly is not going to get my money. If you want to know about the American flag, I suggest you read Whitney Smith's "The Flag Book of the United States" (Morrow Paperback, 1975). When it comes to vexillology, Smith "wrote the book".

Note added July 2010: I note "It's" [sic] has been corrected. Still, Smith's is the book to read.