Books with author Neil H. Swanson

Excerpt from the Preface: The whole story of the nation's anthem, in terms of historical significance and the courage of ordinary men, has never been told in any one place. Even in fragments, it has seldom been told accurately. In illuminating the birth scene of the anthem-the defense of Baltimore in 1814-history has thrown its highlight on the naval action and left Godly Wood in shadow. By "the rockets'; red glare, the bombs bursting in air"; you can see the brick-and-sod fort squatting on the end of Whetstone Point. But you cannot see the rockets'; red glare and the shrapnel bursting in the woods on North Point, just across the water; you cannot see militiamen, once soundly beaten, standing up again to the Invincibles who beat them. In illuminating the conclusion of our so-called Second War of Independence, history has thrown its highlight on the battle of New Orleans and has left this strangely similar and more important battle paradoxically misshapen and diminished. But the real paradox is that for a hundred and thirty years, without warrant of truth, history has managed to leave"The Star-Spangled Banne"; associated with defeat, futility and cowardice. Even in Maryland, where the anniversary of the land battle is a legal holiday, there exists a notion that the whole thing was a trifling incident, inglorious in action and insignificant in result. Baltimoreans, who yield to no one in their pride of birthplace, are inclined to be apologetic when a stranger asks them to explain the holiday. Few know the truth. This book is an attempt to place the birth of the national anthem in its actual setting of events. It is an attempt to describe those events exactly as they occurred, without the distortions and omissions, the braggings and the apologies, the half-truths and the carelessly perpetuated errors that have blurred them.

by Neil H. Swanson and Anne sherbourne Swanson This is the story of Lex Landon and how he learned to become a soldier during the War of 1812. It is also the story of a young American, Lieutenant Francis Scott Key -a prisoner of the attacking fleet - anxiously watching smoke and flame engulfing a small red-brick fort [Fort McHenry] flying the American flag. ages apprx. 12+ hardcover 202 pages 1958 copyright

Ever wonder how to catch a mummy? Maybe you could drop a net on it from the top of a house, or use a bunch of little traps like you would for a mouse. Could you use a bow and arrow, or a sling shot perhaps? Or maybe you just can’t catch one, no matter the traps. Find out how to catch a mummy in this hilarious children's picture book perfect for all ages.