Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Our Flag Was Still There:
This book is a Star-Spangled Banger.
Quick synopsis:
The story of the flag over Fort McHenry both before and after the battle.
Fact for Non-History People:
Francis Scott Key’s son was murdered in the middle of Washington D.C. over an affair.
Fact for History Nerds:
The tune for the American National Anthem is actually based off a British song.
My Take on Our Flag Was Still There:
Oh say can you see…. how this would be a really good book!? (No, I will not apologize for that opening line.)
Tom McMillan tackles the history of the Star-Spangled Banner in his book Our Flag Was Still There. It turns out there is a lot to cover when discussing how a flag can go from flying over a fort to a museum 200 years later. But I am sure you want to know what I wanted to know which is if McMillan answers the questions we really want answered. A sample of the things keeping me up at night:
1. Is the flag in the museum the real one?
2. How racist was Francis Scott Key?
3. Is The Star-Spangled Banner itself racist?
4. How’d we win that battle anyways?
5. Did we really land on the moon in 1969?
Great news, he answers 4 out of 5! You’ll have to read the book to find out which one. However, you will learn about how the Armistead family cared for the flag for generations and why there might be a few pieces missing. This book is a lot of fun.
(This book was provided as a review copy by the author.)
Verdict:
A much larger story than you think. Buy it here!
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