The poet and composer never met. The music was written first. The poem was set to a lot of other tunes before being forever joined with the one we know so well. (Imagine it with Auld Lang Syne) !! America the Beautiful: the Stirring True Story Behind Our Nation's Favorite Song, by Lynn Sherr, is a delightful history of the song that many believe should be our national anthem.

If you are looking for a smallish book to carry in a pack or pocket to read on the bus or ferry (you know, for the few of us left without e-readers!) try Washington's History: the People, Land and Events of the Far Northwest, by Harry Ritter. Since the entries are short this was one of those books I just kept reading and reading .... ;-)

Every state has a state song. They come in the form of a march, hymn, or waltz. Some held a competition, others put new words to a familiar song. Some adopted an entire song. One state used a song from a Broadway Musical. And this is just the official state song! State Songs: Anthems & Their Origins, by John Hladszuk and Sharon Schneider Hladszuk was a most interesting read. A piano or keyboard is nice, but not necessary. :-)

What was it like living here during WWII? I wish now I'd asked my folks more questions. Home Front America: Popular Culture of the World War II Era, by Robert Heide and John Gilman is a good look back at that. There are good pictures to go with information on ration books, victory gardens, meals (most servicemen would refuse to eat Spam once they came home) as well as movies, music, books and comic books. Check out some of the ashtrays, and Bakelite radios in patriotic colors!

Reading Hermit With Dog