"God Bless America" is a song most Americans know well. It is taught in American schools and regularly performed at sporting events. After the attacks on September 11th, it was sung on the steps of the Capitol, at spontaneous memorial sites, and during the seventh inning stretch at baseball games, becoming even more deeply embedded in America's collective consciousness. In God Bless America, Sheryl Kaskowitz tells the fascinating story behind America's other national anthem. It begins with the song's composition by Irving Berlin in 1918 and first performance by Kate Smith in 1938, revealing an early struggle for control between composer and performer as well as the hidden economics behind the song's royalties. Kaskowitz shows how the early popularity of "God Bless America" reflected the anxiety of the pre-war period and sparked a surprising anti-Semitic and xenophobic backlash. She follows the song's rightward ideological trajectory from early associations with religious and ethnic tolerance to increasing uses as an anthem for the Christian Right, and considers the song's popularity directly after the September 11th attacks. The book concludes with a portrait of the song's post-9/11 function within professional baseball, illuminating the power of the song - and of communal singing itself - as a vehicle for both commemoration and coercion. A companion website offers streaming audio of recordings referenced in the book, links to videos of relevant performances, appendices of information, and an opportunity for readers to participate in the author's survey. Based on extensive archival research and fieldwork, God Bless America sheds new light on cultural tensions within the U.S., past and present, and offers a historical chronicle that is full of surprises and that will both edify and delight readers from all walks of life.

I Kay Dee Lilley am a concerned wife, mother, citizen, and an American Patriot at heart. My heart's desire is for the truth to be told to all Americans, that America is God's Country and our foundation is His heart cry, to spread His liberties throughout our nation. My book will show through our American symbols, currency, monuments, Founding Fathers, Presidents and many quotes that America is a Christian nation built on Judeo Christian Principles, henceforth the name of this book is God's Country, America's Heart Cry! God is counting on us to arise, stand up, speak up, to use our voice to declare His choice, to restore the foundation of America. America's future depends on "We The People" to come together in agreement to use our God given liberties to defend our freedoms. Will you accept the challenge?

Well-researched compilation of music information, analyzes nearly 1,000 of the world's most familiar melodies -- composers, lyricists, copyright date, first lines of music, lyrics, and other data. Includes 30 black-and-white illustrations.

This A–Z encyclopedia is a one-stop resource for understanding the history and evolution of the national anthem in American politics, culture, and mythology, as well as controversies surrounding its emergence as a lightning rod for political protests and statements. This reference work serves as a comprehensive resource for understanding all aspects of the national anthem and its significance in U.S. history and American life and culture. It covers the origins of the song and its selection as the nation's official anthem and acknowledges other musical compositions proposed as national anthems. It discusses famous performances of the anthem and details laws and court decisions related to its performance, and it also explains notable phrases in its lyrics, describes the meaning of the national anthem to different demographic groups, and surveys presentations and celebrations of "The Star-Spangled Banner" in popular culture. Moreover, it summarizes famous political protests undertaken during renditions of the national anthem, from the Black Power salutes by U.S. athletes during the 1968 Olympics to the kneeling protests undertaken by Colin Kaepernick and other NFL players to bring attention to racial inequality in America.

Merriam Press World War 2 History. Some of the most memorable and enduring popular music of the Twentieth Century was written during the Second World War. With patriotism at an all-time high, the war effort became an integral part of the entertainment industry, creating an emotional wartime dream world of heroes, love, remembrance, reflection, and introspection. The Music of World War II tells the stories behind the origins of many of these musical compositions, some of which have survived to become standards still popular today. Contents: Preface; Introduction: The Music of the Second World War; My Sister and I: The True Story; Love, Separation, and Homecoming; Patriotism; Tribute; Military Service; Faith, Hope, and Devotion; Novelty; Epilogue; Acknowledgments; Bibliography. 54 photos and illustrations, bibliography.

"This Land Is Your Land" is the most iconic folk song in American history, and is the masterwork of one of America's greatest artists, Woody Guthrie. Written in 1940 and first recorded in 1944, the song became an instant hit, and then a point of controversy, and finally a cross-generation anthem. It's been co-opted and rewritten in many other countries. Praised for its heartfelt lyrics and accompanying pride and spirit, no folk song has made such a lasting impression on American culture -- or stirred as much controversy. The book will publish to coincide with "Woody at 100" -- a partnership between the Grammy Museum and the Guthrie Archives to stage numerous celebratory events throughout 2012 nationwide and beyond. This Land Is Your Land is a remarkably detailed account of the journey of America's most celebrated folk song. It also details Guthrie's legendary journey from Oklahoma across the Heartland to New York City, where he wrote many of his works including "This Land Is Your Land." With more than forty rare black-and-white photographs from the Woody Guthrie archives, a removable poster, plus original interviews with Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Willie Nelson, Pete Seeger, John Mellencamp, and more, This Land Is Your Land delivers a revealing portrait of an American treasure.

Cry, laugh, and share women’s Vietnam war experiences in their own words in this collection of stories, poems, and pictures of the Women Who Served. Over 11,000 women from America, New Zealand, and Australia went to Vietnam as nurses, American Red Cross workers, physical therapists, entertainers, librarians, and more.Ride along in a helicopter on a Christmas Day mission of the heart with Army pilots and American Red Cross Donut Dollies, in Vietnam, 1969. Meet Gary’s angel, a physical therapist who a wounded soldier found over three decades later to tell her, “thank you.” Take a trip back to the war with a woman when she finds her true love, a soldier fighting in Nam. Experience the war through a nurse’s eyes. Learn where the veterans are today. Read about the Australians and New Zealanders who served in Vietnam. Find out why male Vietnam veterans think the women who nursed, comforted, entertained, or just talked with them were Angels in Vietnam.Forward by David Hackworth, author of About Face and Steel My Soldiers’ Hearts.Jan Hornung is the author of This Is The Truth As Far As I Know, I Could Be Wrong and KISS the Sky: Helicopter Tales. www.geocities.com/vietnamfront

God guided me in writing these prayers..... The more people that reads this book the more people will be blessed..... Giving all the Glory to Our Lord Jesus......... MayGod Bless you everyday.......

Do “In God We Trust,” the Declaration of Independence, and other historical “evidence” prove that America was founded on Judeo-Christian principles? Are the Ten Commandments the basis for American law? A constitutional attorney dives into the debate about religion’s role in America’s founding. In today’s contentious political climate, understanding religion’s role in American government is more important than ever. Christian nationalists assert that our nation was founded on Judeo-Christian principles, and advocate an agenda based on this popular historical claim. But is this belief true? The Founding Myth answers the question once and for all. Andrew L. Seidel, a constitutional attorney at the Freedom from Religion Foundation, builds his case point by point, comparing the Ten Commandments to the Constitution and contrasting biblical doctrine with America’s founding philosophy, showing that the Bible contradicts the Declaration of Independence’s central tenets. Thoroughly researched, this persuasively argued and fascinating book proves that America was not built on the Bible and that Christian nationalism is, in fact, un-American.

We as a people of a proud and historic nation watched our economy become badly fractured from 2001 through 2009. The lust for big power and wealth has caused some leaders in government, business, and religion to demonstrate greater ambition in achieving their own personal success than the success and prosperity of the very people they are responsible for leading and protecting. Our political system has lost the ability and desire to have bi-partisan teamwork in making the quality of life better for everyone, as well as future generations. My goal is for us to seek and find solutions to problems, not just whine and gripe among ourselves for self-gain. I am a small town boy from Kentucky who was fortunate enough to attend college on a basketball scholarship, and my college education might not have even been possible without athletics. Three years as a young Marine Corps Officer gave me an opportunity to see life from another vantage point. Forty years as an Executive in the Automotive Industry, an opportunity to live in eleven different states and one territory, and raising family of five gave me additional perspectives on life. This book has been born from the memories and actual experiences I have enjoyed from relationships and friendships with many interesting personalities, from Baseball Great Roberto Clemente to former Governor George Nigh of Oklahoma, along with many top executives in industry. I have seen the Good, the Bad, and even the "Ugly" of life. Fortunately I have seen so many good and kind people that the bad and the ugly have been overcome. I hope you enjoy reading "Have We Lost Our Common Sense?" as much as I have enjoyed writing it.