Star-Spangled Banner

By Margaret Sedeen

Book Overview

Born at the dawn of a new nation, the American flag is our country's most enduring symbol. Star-Spangled Banner is a beautifully illustrated celebration of our flag and all it represents. The star-spangled banner embodies all the opportunities, freedoms, and principles upon which the United States was founded. In the wake of the tragic events of September 11, Americans have found comfort, a renewed spirit of community, and a shared sense of pride through wearing, displaying, and carrying the flag. Every wave of the flag is a pulse of history, writes Margaret Sedeen in Star-Spangled Banner, and now, more than ever, her words ring true. This fascinating book explores, in words and images, the role our flag has played through America's tragedies and triumphs, from the burning of the White House in 1812 to the planting of the flag on the moon. Divided into chapters that examine the evolution of the stars and stripes in the contexts of war and diplomacy, exploration, and daily life, and featuring hundreds of compelling photographs -- including images taken in the days following the attack of September 11 -- Star-Spangled Banner dramatically reveals the story of our nation, woven into a simple piece of cloth.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0792282531
• ISBN13: 9780792282532
• Release Date: November 2001
• Publisher: National Geographic
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 2.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.3" x 1.0" x 9.8"

Customer Reviews

A country's flag tells much about it's people,it's history, and hope for the future.

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.