The flag, the poet, and the song

the long version

"We all take our national anthem for granted. But it was not always so. In this book, New York Times reporter Irvin Molotsky tells the story behind the story and, in the process, reveals an important and little-known piece of our country's heritage. Molotsky brings both legendary and unknown events and figures to life - from the flag's seamstress to the military heroes of the War of 1812. He charts the events leading up to the war, and the far-reaching impact this obscure conflict has had on our national psyche. The Flag, the Poet, and the Song also uncovers the facts and fallacies surrounding the flag and the song, from the tremendous size of the flag to why we continue trying to sing our anthem to this day."--BOOK JACKET.