Bacteria: How They Affect Other Living Things

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Stand at the site of the first Revolutionary War battle, follow in Paul Revere's footsteps, root for the legendary—and 2004 World Series champs—Boston Red Sox, sail past rowers on the Charles and line up with locals by a 60-year old clam shack —Fodor's Boston 2005 offers all this and more! Our local writers have traveled throughout this historic city to find the best hotels, restaurants, attractions and activities to prepare you for a journey of stunning variety. Before you leave for Beantown be sure to pack your Fodor's guide to ensure you don't miss a thing.

The San Francisco Chronicle sums it up best —"Fodor's guides are saturated with information."

-New compact trim size make these guides even more portable
-Two-color interior design makes it easier to find the information you need
-Fodor's Choice Ratings flag must-see sights and hidden treasures
-Hotel and restaurant reviews cover all budgets
-Plus multi-day itineraries to help you build the right trip for you and/or your family

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With Fodor’s you get much more than a guidebook–we make it easy for you to customize your dream vacation.

Visit www.fodors.com to find up-to-date travel bargains, mini-guides to worldwide destinations, information on local festivals, dazzling drives, maps, vacation planning tips and much more!

And, for more insider secrets, visit “Travel Talk” and “Rants and Raves” online at www.fodors.com/forums to get advice from other travelers like you.

Book Description

Every American knows "The Star-Spangled Banner," even if we can't sing it to save our lives. But how many people know what really happened through the perilous night that led a Washington lawyer to pen his historic ode?

Like the subjects of Cod or Longitude, our national anthem is something taken for granted. But it was not always so. In this remarkable, flawlessly researched book, New York Times reporter Irvin Molotsky tells the story behind the story and, in the process, reveals an important piece of our country's heritage. Molotsky brings both legendary and unknown events and figures to vivid life-from the flag's seamstress to the military heroes of the War of 1812. In witty, accessible language, he charts the little-known events leading up to the war, and the far-reaching impact this obscure conflict has had on our national psyche. The Flag, the Poet, and the Song also uncovers the facts and fallacies surrounding the flag and the song, from the tremendous size of the flag to why we continue trying to sing our anthem to this day.

Brimming with fascinating Americana, The Flag, the Poet, and the Song is a book that will be read and reread, whether you're a lover of history, a patriot, or just waiting for the umpire to say "play ball!"

Customer Reviews:

The Defence of Fort McHenry.......2006-05-26

This book began as a newspaper article on the conservation of the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key during September 13-14, 1814. Chapter 1 tells how it is song before every baseball, football, basketball, hockey, and soccer game in the United States. The television networks use that time for commercials. The wide range of the anthem is difficult for the average person. Robert Merrill advocates playing it more briskly, as a march (p.11). The huge flag that flew over Fort McHenry in 1814 was made by Mary Young Pickersgill. Major Armistead wanted a flag so large the enemy could see it from a distance. The flag over Fort McHenry had 15 stars and 15 stripes, the standard from 1794 to 1818 (p.77). It was 30 feet high and 42 feet long, and weighed 80 pounds.

Chapter 3 explains "The Second War of Independence". One item was the impressment of British subjects. These seamen worked for higher wages aboard American ships. Many were called deserters but they had been abducted by impressment gangs. The Embargo was tried and failed. The British practice of seizing crewmen from ships provoked a declaration of war in June 1812. There were other causes (pp.39-42). The canceling of the British Orders in Council came after the war was declared. America became an ally of Napoleon. The British rejected the American right of citizenship to British subjects (Chapter 4). General William Hull, the governor of Michigan Territory, surrendered Detroit (pp.47-48). The attack on Canada ended in a retreat. The attack on York (Toronto) and its burning led to the burning of Washington in retaliation (p.50). After the defeat of Napoleon the British now concentrated on the United States, raiding Maryland and Virginia, Washington DC was lightly guarded as it was not much of a military target (p.54). The enemy of the British was the August heat (dehydration).

Baltimore in 1814 was the third largest city, a center of shipping, commerce, industry, and shipbuilding. The British approached by sea. Dr. William Beanes was arrested by the British (p.71). Richard West, a patient, got lawyer Francis Scott Key to free Beanes; he was accompanied by Colonel John S. Skinner, an exchanged prisoner of war. This flag did not fly over Fort McHenry during the British bombardment because of the rain; a smaller storm flag was used (p.90). At dawn the much larger flag was run up the flagpole. Key's poem was printed by his brother-in-law Judge Joseph H. Nicholson, the second-in-command at Fort McHenry; it quickly caught popular favor (p.93). Ferdinand Durang, a musician, adapted the words to the old tune "Anacreon in Heaven". It quickly gained a national reputation throughout the country. The next week Key changed its name to "The Star-Spangled Banner". Francis Scott Key was an important person in his day, but his only moment of fame was his poem (p.97).

The remaining chapters cover other topics. Chapter 7 tells about the Treaty of Ghent which ended the war. It was a victory for America because it united the nation (p.131). Britain never again interfered with American shipping. The pause of commerce with Europe made industry flourish in America. The flag did not enjoy its status until the Civil War (p.134). Chapter 8 has the history of the flag and the song. During the Civil War Fort McHenry was a prison; one prisoner was the grandson of Francis Scott Key (p.147). Chapter 9 gives the history of the National Anthem. It was adopted by the Army and Navy in the 1890s. The song was used in Puccini's 'Madame Butterfly' in 1904. It became official in March 3, 1931 (p.151). It supplanted the older song "Yankee Doodle" (more easily sung by the people).

Little substance.......2005-11-30

The information presented in Mr. Molotsky's book would boil down to a good Smithsonian or National Geographic article, but feels padded out at 240 pages. In fact, the book had its origins as a NY Times article on the restoration of the flag that flew at Ft McHenry.

The author repeatedly goes over the same ground, labors certain points while skimming over other seemingly crucial information, quotes lengthy excerpts, and goes off on tangents that seem to have nothing to do with the central premise.

Still, I learned a thing or two about a glossed-over chapter in American history. It may whet your appetite for more in depth coverage of the subject.

Play Ball.......2002-03-14

What starts out as a witty account of the origins of "The Star Spangled Banner" and the text to it, continues into repetitions and ends with endless reprints of Supreme Court decisions and congressional hearings. Points go to the author for reminding us of the half-forgotten war of 1812 and for giving us a good overview. Pity he could not stop in time.

Patriotic read.......2002-02-25

Just to preface the review: I was sitting in a restaurant reading this book when the waitress asked me what I was reading. I explained the book, and she said who was on the cover. I said it was a picture of Francis Scott Key. She said, "Oh, the man they named the Florida Keys after."

For those Americans who don't know their history, particularly the often untold truths of the War of 1812 and the contentiousness over our national anthem, this book is a perfect place to start. It's short, informational and at times very humorous. Molotsky brings the reader history and current debate on topics such as flag burning and how to preserve that wonderful flag that flew over Fort McHenry.

I learned some new things in this book, and if the response from the waitress is any indication, this country is in need of a few more history lessons. This a short read but the value cannot be underscored.

Under the Red, White, & Blue.......2001-09-10

As an author of a novel in its initial release that addresses, among other themes, the essence of what makes an American an American, I genuinely enjoyed Irvin Molotsky's THE FLAG, THE POET, & THE SONG. Mr. Molotsky, a semi-retired newspaperman, spins a wonderful tale about the history of our national anthem. This book is light. It is a popular history. It is amusing, yet it is most enlightening. Mr. Molotsky presents a history of the War of 1812, which led directly to Francis Scott Key's composing of the poem that became the song. He discusses the American invasion of Canada (yes, we did invade Canada) and the burning of Toronto (then York) that led to the British infamous torching of Washington (I bet that was in your history books). He also paints a portrait of Francis Scott Key (a distant relative of F. Scott Fitzgerald whose masterpiece THE GREAT GATSBY was briefly called UNDER THE RED, WHITE, & BLUE--which I used for the title of this review) who reluctantly joined the militia during the war. Mr. Molotsky additionally explains the compostion of the poem, its linkage to a British drinking song, and its evolution into the national anthem with the final two words "Play Ball!" THE FLAG, THE POET, & THE SONG is a informative book. It is well-written. I recommend it highly.

Average customer rating:

Excellent history resources
A great borad book for your little ones

The Story of "the Star-Spangled Banner"
Patricia A. Pingry
Manufacturer: Candy Cane Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Board book

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ASIN: 0824965671

Customer Reviews:

Excellent history resources .......2007-10-11

My daughter is a big nerd like her dad and loves learning- she is 5 so it makes it difficult to find books that are close to her level. When I saw this book- I thought "it is a board book so it might not have enough "meat" for her to learn from". I was wrong- this is an excellent book and just the right level for her and most elementary school children.

A great borad book for your little ones.......2007-01-04

We have purchases a series of this author's and/or publisher's boardbooks for our kids (now 6 and 4). They are a very simple, well illustrated history book that the kids enjoy reading or have read to them. This one was no exception. The information is very simply put forward in a sentence or so each page with a large illustration. Both usually get the kids asking questions at least a few times throughout the book. That allows us to add additional information and details. If your litte kids are wondering about the national anthem and you want them to understand how it was written and where, pick up this boardbook - they'll enjoy it.

The Story of the Star-spangled Banner (Graphic Library: Graphic History)

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The Story of the Star-spangled Banner (Graphic Library: Graphic History)
Ryan Jacobson
Manufacturer: Capstone Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 073686881X

Paradoxes of Fame: The Francis Scott Key Story

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Paradoxes of Fame: The Francis Scott Key Story
Sam Meyer
Manufacturer: Eastwind Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Francis Scott Key and "The Star Spangled Banner"

ASIN: 1885457065

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The Story of the Star Spangled Banner
Anne M. Beiter , and Elizabeth A. Beiter
Manufacturer: Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0805967273

Product Description

Oh say, does that star spangled banner yet wave oer the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Our national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner, is sung on many occasions, including sporting events, national celebrations, and school functions. But did you know the words of Francis Scott Key were inspired by a battle that determined the course of our countrys freedom? Read The Story of the Star Spangled Banner by Anne M. Beiter and Elizabeth A. Beiter to learn about this battle and to celebrate the birth of democracy in our country.

By the Dawn's Early Light: The Story of the Star-Spangled Banner

Average customer rating:

A superb telling of the story of the Star-Spangled Banner

By the Dawn's Early Light: The Story of the Star-Spangled Banner
Steven Kroll
Manufacturer: Scholastic Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: School & Library Binding
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ASIN: 0590450549

Customer Reviews:

A superb telling of the story of the Star-Spangled Banner.......2002-10-04

I think the vast majorities of stories I have heard about how Francis Scott Key came to write the words of "The Star Spangled Banner" begin with Key being held as a prisoner on a British ship during the attack on Ft. McHenry. In "By the Dawn's Early Light: The Story of The Star Spangled Banner," author Steven Kroll begins with Key, a well-known Washington lawyer, being informed that Dr. William Beanes had been arrested by the British. It seems the doctor had been treating British wounded after the attack on Washington, D.C., and had some unruly stragglers arrested. Key gets permission from President Madison to try and affect the doctor's release.

Kroll's narrative follows the events from August 13, 1814, when Key was informed of Beanes's plight, to when Key's poem, originally called "The Defense of Fort McHenry," was published in the "Baltimore American." I like the way Kroll weaves all sort of historical details into his narrative, making this the most memorable account of the writing of the national anthem that I have come across. The story being told is complimented by the oil paintings of Dan Andreasen, which are done in a style reminiscent of what you found in classic children's books during the Fifties. There is also a photographic reproduction of the original manuscript of Key's poem that her wrote in a hotel after the battle.

In his Author's Note Kroll explains that it was the fort's storm flag, measuring 25 by 17 feet, that was flying overhead during the battle. The flag that was raised in celebration, as Key sailed back into Baltimore, was the larger, garrison flag for Ft. McHenry (both flags were made by Mary Pickersgill). When I last visited the Smithsonian Institute I was memorably surprised by the display of the Ft. McHenry flag, which, I assume, was the aforementioned storm flag. At least, that is how I would interpret what I have read; I might be wrong.

Cornerstones of Freedom The Story of the Star-Spangled Banner

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Cornerstones of Freedom The Story of the Star-Spangled Banner
Natalie Miller
Manufacturer: Chicago: Childrens Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MKLBHE

Freedom's flag;: The story of Francis Scott Key,

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Freedom's flag;: The story of Francis Scott Key,
Rupert Sargent Holland
Manufacturer: Macrae-Smith-Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Proudly we hail, the story of our national anthem

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Proudly we hail, the story of our national anthem
Art LaCour
Manufacturer: Economics Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0007DVUNQ

Spangled Banner: The Story of Francis Scott Key

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Spangled Banner: The Story of Francis Scott Key

Manufacturer: Farrar & Rinehart, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000EA6Y5Q

Product Description

The first full-length biography of Francis Scott Key, composer of "The Star-Spangled Banner," was written originally in 1935 and re-issued in 1963 when the copyright was renewed.

Book Description

For over fifteen years, New York Times bestselling author Harry S. Dent, Jr., has been uncannily accurate in predicting the financial future. In his three previous works, Dent predicted the financial recession of the early nineties, the economic expansion of the mid-nineties, and the financial free-for-all of 1998-2000.

The Next Great Bubble Boom -- part crystal ball, part financial planner -- offers a comprehensive forecast for the next two decades, showing new models for predicting the future behavior of the economy, inflation, large- and small-cap stocks, bonds, key sectors, and so on. In taking a look at past booms and busts, Dent compares our current state to that of the crash of 1920-21, and the years ahead of us to the Roaring Twenties. Dent gives advice on everything from investment strategies to real estate cycles, and shows not only how bright our future will be but how best to profit from it.

Dent gives us all something to look forward to, including:

The Dow hitting 40,000 by the end of the decade
The Nasdaq advancing at least ten times from its October 2001 lows to around 13,500, and potentially as high as 20,000 by 2009
Another strong advance in stocks in 2005, with a significant correction into around September/October 2006
The Great Boom resurging into its final and strongest stage in 2007, and even more fully in 2008, lasting until late 2009 to early 2010

Dent's amazing ability to track and forecast our financial future is renowned, and here he takes that ability to the next level, showing not only what our economy will look like but also how it will affect us as individuals, as organizations, and as a culture. From the upcoming wealth revolution to the essential principles of entrepreneurial success, the book describes a new society where economic and philanthropic development go hand in hand.

In The Next Great Bubble Boom, Dent shows not only how the economic growth of the late 1990s was a prelude to the true great boom right around the corner but how all of us can reap its benefits.

Customer Reviews:

Next Great Bubble Boom, Revised Again.......2007-09-03

Hindsight tells us a lot of things. For the Next Great Bubble Boom, hindsight shows that Harry Dent's analysis of a 40,000 Dow and 20,000 Nasdaq are just as fanciful now as they were when he made the predictions in 2004. His latest revisions, which came out last year, show he has cut his original estimate in half, and that the predicted outcomes are much more within reason. The difficulty with accepting his predictions now is that the past ones ended so dismally. The seductive part of Dent's analysis is that it squares with historical and demographical cycles. The ridiculous part is the extrapolation into predictive behavior. It you want some really wild stuff, just look at what he says will happen from 2023 on. If anybody made any investment decisions based on this book, they're about due for a thorough reality check. His most powerful cycle, the 10-year cycle, seems the most likely one to come true. But the difficulty with predicting what will happen in each 10 year cycle is that Dent bases it strictly on stock market past behavior. And whenever that prediction fails, Dent finds some new cycle to explain his error. His latest cycle, the geopolitical cycle, supposedly explains the failure of the markets to rise in 2004-2005. What he failed to recognize early on was the impact of commodities, hedge funds, and Fed interest rate policy. Whenever the Fed raises rates, the stock market goes numb, because large institutional investors stay away. This time around, those investors put their billions into hedge funds, to get the promise of 40%+ returns. That alone explains the 2004-2005 doldrums. Add the spectacular housing boom/bust and you see why Dent's predictions went south. Now that the Fed has stopped raising rates and is apparently going to drop them, some of what Dent predicted still could come time. But notice that the title for the short book now says 2006-2010 rather than 2005-2010. The revisions just keep coming. I can't wait for the next one.

Is Dent Such A Big Liar or Just that Stupid?.......2007-06-26

I really do not know what to think. So many people write books based on a positive premise rather than reality because they know positivity sells. There's nothing wrong with positivity, but it should be reserved for motivational speakers not investments and economics. We are talking about people's retirement funds here!

Dent does not say much of anything new that he hasn't already said in his previous books. He is just trying to cash in on a rebound from the Internet bubble collapse. What kind of value is there in predicting a stretch of 4 years of great market returns? Regardless, we have yet to see this spectacular market performance. I'll tell you why he did this. Anyone with common sense knows that extremes in the market are followed by compensatory reversals which may or may not last. What this means is that Dent (like many others) expected a rebound from the lows in the market merely due to normal stock market behavior. The fact that he has restricted it to 2010 tells you where he thinks the market is really headed--down.

NEVER BUY A BOOK BY ANYONE WHO HAS A VESTED INTEREST IN a BULLISH STOCK MARKET (THOSE WHO WORK FOR MUTUAL FUNDS AND WALL STREET). ALSO NEVER BUY A BOOK BY ANYONE WORKING FOR A HEDGE FUND UNLESS YOU WANT TO HEAR THAT THE MARKET WILL GO DOWN. THESE GUYS ARE ALREADY TAKINGYOUR MONEY IN TEH MARKET AND NOW THEY WANNA TAKE YOUR MONEY BY SELLING YOU BOOKS FILLED WITH DREAMS THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN.

Don't waste your money on this book. Instead get some books that talk about how bad the economy really is and how it is going to get worse for many years.

interesting read.......2007-04-11

interesting read. I am still waiting for his predictions to come true...

Dent in my wallet.......2007-04-07

If only I could express how much time and optimism I wasted after reading this book...

The fact is that the forecasts are wildly out of sync with reality, Dent's methods are proving to be nearly useless and market risks are actually on the INCREASE as I write this review.

Dent did not predict the real estate boom, he did not predict the commodity boom, he did not predict the 2000 bear market, he did not predict the dollar loss against the Euro... the list goes on. When he gets a prediction wrong, he just adds another "cycle" to his forecasts... the stock market turned to goo after 2000? "oh, well we discovered the 10 year stock cycle, and this PROVES that stocks should have gone down"... the Dow didn't go to 14,000 (as predicted in this book)? "Oh, we forgot about the commodity super-cycle". How many other 'cycles' does Dent not know about?

After reading this book a couple years ago, I'm sad to say I subscribed to his newsletter at around $400-500 /year, and while their knowledge of economic fundamentals was clearly solid, I can't say I made any money from his insights, or that his insights were any better than what I'd read on the Internet for free.

I'd recommend you take this book (along with everything else) with a grain of salt, and learn from a lesson that sinks in only after you've blown money... no one knows the future, especially Dent.

Wealth takes research.......2007-03-09

Harry Dent has another winner. Being the third in a series of books by Harry Dent, "The Greatest Boom in History: 2006-2010," tells us again how to save what wealth we have and increase it during the current economic and investment boom. Anyone with money to invest must read this book.

Discussion Guide: The Next Great Bubble Boom: How to Profit from the Greatest Boom in History, 2005-2009

Average customer rating:

The Next Great Bubble Boom downloadable version - stay Away

Discussion Guide: The Next Great Bubble Boom: How to Profit from the Greatest Boom in History, 2005-2009
Editors of SmithRiley
Manufacturer: Smith Riley Edoc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

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Customer Reviews:

The Next Great Bubble Boom downloadable version - stay Away.......2005-10-23

Please stay away from this version of the book. There is only 5 pages for this book and that too the description of the chapters in the real book. I lost my $4 by downloading this book. I would have given zero stars, if they would allow me to do so. But the least rating I can give is 1 star.

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