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From Publishers WeeklyOver the last 224 years, the Stars and Stripes has been through endless permutations and representations. Long May She Wave: A Graphic History of the American Flag presents 500 color illustrations of Old Glory, depicted on pencils, fans, Christmas ornaments, penknives, compacts, belt buckles and in modern art. Kit Hinrichs’s 3,000-piece flag collection, photographed here by Terry Heffernan, forms the basis of the book (written with Delphine Hirasuna) and includes Hinrichs’s great-great-great-aunt’s 1865 banner. The introduction by Museum of American Folk Art conductor Gerard Wertkin provides historical context (Why do flags adorn public schools? When did the exercise of a stripe for each state become unwieldy?) for the mesmerizing graphics. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc. From Library JournalThe American Flag comprises of color photographs of flags flying at respective places in the United States. Although it is nice to peruse, the photographs are not documented in any way, and packaging a polyester 3′ x 5′ flag with the book adds to it is gimmicky feel. Long May She Wave is commended for public libraries and must appeal to flag enthusiasts, historians, and collectors. The American Flag Book and Gift Set is not commended for library purchase. Jennifer Mayer, Univ. of Wyoming Libs., Laramie Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. ReviewCheck out this striking visual history of America’¬?s most cherished symbol. —Country Decorating Ideas “A testament to our enduring American spirit.”— Communication Arts“Prior to the events of September 11, this finelooking book drawn from a private collection was in truth a coffee table book and of interest to less people than it must have been.”—Collectors News“Hinrichs offers a striking visual history of America’s flag in it is a good deal of dissimilar depictions.”—Library Journal“Remarkable.” —The Washington Post “This book will appeal to those who be grateful for excellency in design and craft, military and national history, and lovers of Americana.” —Communication Arts “This is a gift idea that you might want to put on your own list . . . a treasure trove that displays the flag in all it is glory.” —The San Jose Mercury News“LONG MAY SHE WAVE manages to be charming, patriotic, goofy, and thoughtful all at once. It’¬?s won our hearts and our Kitschy-Kitschy Bang-Bang Prize . . . it’s hard to imagine a person not smiling at some effigy here.” —The Dallas Morning NewsPublishers Weekly featured the book and it is cover in an article in regards to publishers and writers “pitching in to help” in the wake of the World Trade Center tragedy—a percentage of the royalties are going to the American Red Cross 9/11 Disaster Relief Fund.”A feast of red, white, and blue eye-candy.” — Beadwork magazine”Best Books of 2001 – Coffee Table Books” —The Detroit Free Press “Delightful sufficient to stir patriotism in any soul . . . a great one to keep and cherish.” —Daily Oaklahoman“It’s not only visually appealing, it’s arousing and attention holding social history as well . . . a worthy and well-conceived trip into the very symbol of the nation we so love.” —Associated Press“A beauteous celebration of Old Glory . . . a perfective coffee-table celebration, as grand as the old flag itself.” —Louisville Courier Journal“Big, gorgeous . . . [a] patriotic will have to read. Whether you’re a fan of Americana, antiques, history, or art, Long May She Wave will become a cherished book.” —Country Home magazine”An inspiring visual history.” —The Boston Herald“A browser’s delight . . . the flag of the United States is traced and celebrated in the brilliant illustrations of this uttermost patriotic coffee table extravaganza.” —Baltimore Sun“The best visual treat of the year . . . you have to see to believe all the manifestations of the flag the writers have found. The photographs by Terry Heffernan are wonderful. This book is meant for pure enjoyment.” —Maine Antique Digest“Stunning.” —American History

Chronological History Of The American Flag Pic

Chronological History Of The American Flag Image

Chronological History Of The American Flag Photo

Most helpful customer reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful.
A Memorable Collection of Old Glory in All Her Glory!
By Donald Mitchell
Mr. Kit Hinrichs has done Americans a great favor by both collecting and sharing with the world his remarkable flag-based memorabilia. Nothing will get and keep you in the mood of the Fourth of July quite like this book. The book displays on huge color pages more varieties of the flag, and flag-incorporating designs than you would normally see in a lifetime. The remarkable artifacts are framed by an interesting essay about the American flag’s origins and a colorful chronological history of the flag. The book also serves as an indirect source of perspective on American culture, by looking at how we employ symbols.

The American flag developed into a national symbol fairly slowly. The Continental Congress did not get around to legislating what it was to look like until 1777. Even then, the description was pretty loose so designs varied a lot. The original purpose was to help ships tell friend from foe. The book also places doubts about the role of Betsy Ross in making the first flag. So you will probably learn a lot here. Did you know that the pledge of allegiance was not made official until 1942?

The flag is displayed here in celebrations, commerce, art, folk art, Native American art, toys, politics, political protests, and war. The most moving examples to me are the battle flags from the Civil War. A family heirloom flag from that war helped Mr. Hinrichs become interested in collecting.

My favorite images in the book included 10,000 cadets making a living flag in a photograph appearing on a postcard from Great Lakes, Illinois; sparkling rhinestone pins; a flag-shaped cancellation of a postage stamp from around 1890; two op art flags using complementary colors; woven ribbons; a Time Magazine souvenir flag; the Sports Illustrated “Great American Sport” image using baseballs and bats; a Nokia cell phone from 1999; the variations on the design used as protests; and a flag from World War II used to promote war bonds that proclaims “Remember Pearl Harbor.”

You will see American flags in tattoos, on cigar wrappers, carried on car hood ornaments, held by toy soldiers, embroidered into samplers, and woven into all kinds of materials. The huge sprawling energy of a pioneering nation is well captured by the diversity of the media and designs represented here.

After you read about and look at these images, think about what the American flag means to you. How do you convey those meanings to your family and friends?

Our flag means to us what we make of it!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful.
Stunning, inspiring, and grand…
By A
I stumbled on this title when it appeared as the centerpiece to a local store display of flag books that went up in the wake of September 11th. The stunning production and the breadth of material represented provide a truly unique insight into the power of the American flag as a symbol (of freedom, to be sure, but also as a symbol of revolution, grief, and pride). If you want the full impact of the flag’s place in our history, as a graphic element that appears in everything from memorials to toys to pop art to protest banners (and more), this is the book. The text is limited but insightful, just enough to complement the tremendous variety of objects from the author’s personal collection. I never failed to find new wonders on each page (including manifestations of the flag I would never have imagined), and in sum the book also amounts to a testament to American ingenuity. There’s nothing else like it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful.
A true coffee table book
By A
This book is fascinating. It is one you can pick up and browse a bit and become lost in the art and imagery of an icon that is so familiar we rarely take a good look at it. By sharing his collection with us, Mr. Hinrichs takes us beyond the simple stars and stripes to a visual history of our country.

Anyone familiar with graphic design should recognize Mr. Hinrichs’ work. The overall presentation of the piece is incredible. I call it “the true coffee table book” because I think it is one can be opened and looked at and enjoyed a few pages at a time, and isn’t that the purpose of a coffee table book?

The timing of the work is fascinating. Although initially published this spring, it is extremely appropriate for the new wave of patriotism that has swept this country since the tragic events in September.

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