Stars & Stripes Forever: The History, Stories, and Memories of Our American Flag [Hardcover]

Richard H. Schneider (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 13, 2003

It is a symbol of unity and a subject of controversy. It can be found in the depths of the Earth's oceans and on the rocky surface of the moon. It is our flag -- the Stars and Stripes -- a swath of red, white, and blue that represents America's past and its present . . . and inspires its future. In this moving and informative volume, Richard H. Schneider, the author of the acclaimed Taps: Notes from a Nation's Heart and Freedom's Holy Light: The Statue of Liberty, delivers an intriguing history and a powerful tribute to our flag. "Stars & Stripes Forever" unfurls the colorful story of this enduring emblem of our national identity, culture, and spirit, from its humble origins more than two hundred years ago to its significance in the twenty-first century. Combining history and legend, fact and lore, Schneider relates how the flag has evolved -- through war and peace, through changing times and honored traditions -- and sets the record straight on many widely held misconceptions. There are many entertaining and enlightening stories, including that of the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key's "The Star-Spangled Banner"; the flag that was stained by Lincoln's blood at Ford's Theater in 1888; and the flag raised at Ground Zero amid the wreckage of the World Trade Center. In addition to historical facts and little-known lore, he offers heartfelt recollections from celebrities and ordinary citizens alike whose lives have been indelibly touched by Old Glory. Sure to speak to the patriot in us all, "Stars & Stripes Forever" tells a story that is as remarkable and diverse as America itself.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The ubiquitous appearance of American flags after September 11 and the recent hanging of a flag by a soldier over the face of a statue of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad testify to the continuing significance of this emblem to Americans. In this compact cultural history, Schneider, the author of similar books about the Statue of Liberty and Taps, covers both the history and the lore of the flag, including its creation (Congress officially adopted it on June 14, 1777), the Pledge of Allegiance (initiated by the inspirational children's magazine The Youth's Companion in 1892, the 400th anniversary of Columbus's fateful voyage) and little-known facts ("it is permitted to fly the American flag upside down-but only in an emergency" as a kind of SOS). This is inspiring reading, just in time for Flag Day (June 14.) Illus.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

This delightful tribute to the American flag will appeal to a wide audience of patriots. Like Schneider's Taps, the narrative celebrates a revered American institution, this time around, Old Glory. Beginning with a brief history of banners and flags in general, the author traces the historical roots of the American flag and its subsequent evolution into one of the most potent and inspiring symbols of freedom and democracy in the modern world. In addition to analyzing myths, legends, and facts associated with the Stars and Stripes, he includes a host of flag-related trivia and a number of touching personal anecdotes written by celebrities, soldiers, and ordinary American citizens. This testament to an American icon will serve as a reminder, during these uncertain times, of the unifying power and value of our most universally recognizable cultural symbol. Margaret Flanagan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow; 1 edition (May 13, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060525371
• ISBN-13: 978-0060525378
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #634,321 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great History Lesson, February 20, 2006

By 

B. AUSTIN - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Stars & Stripes Forever: The History, Stories, and Memories of Our American Flag (Hardcover)

This book should be taught in all of our schools. Our great grand-daughter study this book in her private school. I remember this in my elementry school years. Check some young person out as to who created the first flag or the discussion on the format of the stars. Thanks again Amazon; Keep up the good work.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally A Flag Book That Holds Your Interest, July 14, 2003

By 

Sue Ladage "Sue Ladage 'red, white & blue col... (Brentwood, Missouri United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Stars & Stripes Forever: The History, Stories, and Memories of Our American Flag (Hardcover)

I give this book 5 stars because I have read many books on the history of our Flag and none of them even begin to compare to this book. This book has many interesting facts and stories about our Flag. If you are a Flag nut, this is the book for you. I highly recommend it!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A interesting little book., March 31, 2004

By 

JimjamKrotz (San Marcos, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stars & Stripes Forever: The History, Stories, and Memories of Our American Flag (Hardcover)

This is a pretty interesting book for vexillophiles (thats a person intrested in the study of flags).

The author takes you on a journey from the early days up through 9/11 and the genesis of our American flag. Along the way are many sidebars, some with more tidbits of information. some of the sidebars are short pieces written by various famous people on their anecdotes about the flag.

It is this part that caused me to lower my rating from a 5 to a 4. Not very many of the personal anedotes were interesting. The exception would be the excerpt from a speech by Sen. John McCain on his experiences as a Vietnam P.O.W.

All in all though it is an intriguing book which you could probably read in about 1 night.