Synopses & Reviews
Have you ever wondered why the American colors are red, white, and blue? Did you know that our national mascot was almost a turkey rather than a bald eagle? Can you trace your family's ancestry back to the
Mayflower Pilgrims, or perhaps to a cowboy of the Old West? Do you think you would like to spend Thanksgiving watching footraces rather than televised football or eating venison and oysters rather than turkey? Many of us have played with Lincoln Logs, but did you know that they were named after President Abraham Lincoln, who was born in a log cabin?
Symbols have always played a crucial role in shaping our identity as a country. The American buffalo, the Statue of Liberty, the Mayflower, and Uncle Sam himself have all helped convey to the world the American values of liberty and democracy.
Delno and Jean West's lively prose unveils the stories behind America's symbols, complemented by Christopher Manson's handsome woodcuts, which perfectly convey the rugged individualism of the American spirit.
Synopsis
Eye-catching woodcut art and lively text reveal the origin of such American symbols as Uncle Sam, the American flag, and the Liberty Bell. Full-color illustrations.
About the Author
Delno C. West taught history at Northern Arizona University at Flagstaff. He was the author of seven books and fifty articles for both scholarly and general readers and was a popular lecturer and guest speaker. He enjoyed travel, collecting antiquarian books and glass art, and spending time with his grandchildren. Christopher Manson is an author and illustrator of children’s books. He studied art at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax, Nova Scotia and at the State University of New York at New Paltz. He lives in Rockville, Maryland.
Table of Contents
CONTENTSINTRODUCTION
The AMERICAN FLAG
The GREAT SEAL of THE UNITED STATES
The AMERICAN BALD EAGLE
The LIBERTY BELL
The STATUE of LIBERTY
UNCLE SAM
YANKEE DOODLE
The MAYFLOWER
The PILGRIM
The PEACE PIPE
The MINUTEMAN
The LOG CABIN
The BUFFALO
The COWBOY
SMOKEY the BEAR
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