The Star Spangled Mirror

Written by the candidate's late father Richard J. Kerry and updated with a foreword by John Kerry's biographer and an afterword by an Associate Editor at The New Republic, the book is a unique look at the political thought of John Kerry's key influence.

One of our most acclaimed historians explores the decorated military service of one of America’s most intriguing politicians—the leading Democratic presidential candidate for 2004—and its profound effects on his career and life In Tour of Duty, Brinkley explores Senator John Kerry’s career and deftly deals with such explosive issues as U.S. atrocities in Vietnam and the bombing of Cambodia. Using new information acquired from the recently released Nixon tapes, Brinkley reveals how White House aides Charles Colson and H.R. Haldeman tried to discredit Kerry. Refusing to be intimidated, Kerry started running for public office, eventually becoming a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts. Covering more than four decades, this is the first full-scale definitive account of Kerry’s journey from war to peace. In writing this riveting, action-packed narrative, Brinkley has drawn on extensive interviews with virtually everyone who knew Kerry well in Vietnam. Kerry also relegated to Brinkley his letters home from Vietnam and his voluminous “war notes” journals, notebooks, and personal reminiscences written during and shortly after the war. This material was provided without restriction, to be used at Brinkley’s discretion, and has never before been published.

A New York Times Editors' Choice The fascinating story of America’s national anthem and an examination of its powerful meaning today. Most Americans learn the tale in elementary school: During the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key witnessed the daylong bombardment of Baltimore’s Fort McHenry by British navy ships; seeing the Stars and Stripes still flying proudly at first light, he was inspired to pen his famous lyric. What Americans don’t know is the story of how this everyday “broadside ballad,” one of thousands of such topical songs that captured the events and emotions of early American life, rose to become the nation’s one and only anthem and today’s magnet for controversy. In O Say Can You Hear? Mark Clague brilliantly weaves together the stories of the song and the nation it represents. Examining the origins of both text and music, alternate lyrics and translations, and the song’s use in sports, at times of war, and for political protest, he argues that the anthem’s meaning reflects—and is reflected by—the nation’s quest to become a more perfect union. From victory song to hymn of sacrifice and vehicle for protest, the story of Key’s song is the story of America itself. Each chapter in the book explores a different facet of the anthem’s story. In one, we learn the real history behind the singing of the anthem at sporting events; in another, Clague explores Key’s complicated relationship with slavery and its repercussions today. An entire is chapter devoted to some of the most famous performances of the anthem, from Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock to Roseanne Barr at a baseball game to the iconic Whitney Houston version from the 1991 Super Bowl. At every turn, the book goes beyond the events to explore the song’s resonance and meaning. From its first lines Key’s lyric poses questions: “O say can you see?” “Does that banner yet wave?” Likewise, Clague’s O Say Can You Hear? raises important questions about the banner; what it meant in 1814, what it means to us today, and why it matters.

The composer of 'I Honestly Love You', 'I Go to Rio' and 'I Still Call Australia Home' led a classic show business life. Peter Allen's performances at the height of his career in London, New York and Los Angeles were nothing less than spectacular, drawing rave reviews, cult crowds, and an ever-increasing network of friends which boasted Bette Midler, Richard Gere and Harry Connick Jnr. With 'talent' stamped all over him and a jump-start, whirlwind marriage to Liza Minnelli, Allen had a one-way ticket to the Big Time. What could be further from his humble beginnings in country Australia than the legendary performances in his heyday that, as one critic wrote, 'would have scandalised any decade other than the 70s'? Peter Allen: the Boy from Oz is an insider's look at the man – his fame, image, artistry and survival. Stephen MacLean follows the fascinating and complex trajectory of Allen's stardom, from his rise through the gender-blurred scramble of the 70s to become part of the popular mainstream, developing as a songwriter in his own right. Out of the spotlight, Allen was held dear by many for his vivacity and humour, and onstage for his powerhouse performances, the trademark high energy tirelessness and camp banter never failing to bring the house down. Allen's life and times are faithfully brought to life through interviews with the people who knew and loved him best.