Throughout our nation's history, patriotic songs have lifted our spirits during hard times and brought us closer to our heritage and to each other. Behind these "songs sung red, white, and blue" are unforgettable stories that will enrich your appreciation of their unique power. 
It's hard to imagine a single American who hasn't been touched deeply at one time or another by the songs in these pages. From the soaring chorus of "God Bless America" to the quiet poetry of "America the Beautiful," historian Ace Collins takes you inside the creation of thirty-two classic songs spanning two centuries. Military anthems like "The Marine's Hymn" and "Anchors Aweigh" share pages with other songs of war, such as the War of 1812's "The Star-Spangled Banner" and the Civil War's "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Popular tunes dating back to the earliest days of our nation, such as "Yankee Doodle," are included alongside contemporary hits like "God Bless the U.S.A." Other favorites like "This Land Is Your Land" and "This Is My Country" reflect on our nation in times of peace.
You'll meet a surprising and diverse cast of behind-the-scenes characters, which includes both everyday Americans -- teachers, preachers, and soldiers -- as well as celebrated songwriters like Irving Berlin and George M. Cohan. Here are songs that are as close to our hearts as any ever written -- songs that form a rousing soundtrack to America's story.

Songs Sung Red, White, and Blue: The Stories Behind America's Best-Loved Patriotic Songs

Arts & Photography

Collins, Ace

Music

Harper

Celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of Lassie, this illustrated study traces the story of the beloved canine heroine, discussing her film and TV career, trainer, dog-training tips, Lassie collectibles, and more. Original. 100,000 first printing. $50,000 ad/promo.

Lassie: A Dog's Life, The First Fifty Years

Biographies & Memoirs

Arts & Literature

Penguin??Books

The world's favorite dog teams up with Ace Collins to help families learn the responsibilities and delight in the joys of owning a dog.From the beloved collie who has won the hearts of millions throughout the world comes this unique guide to preparing Mom, Dad, and the kids for the demands of dog ownership. In Lassie's Guide to a Family's Best Friend, dog care and training become a learning experience for the whole family, full of opportunities that foster growth and maturity in children. Fully illustrated with Lassie photos and featuring anecdotes about Lassie's own training and upbringing.

Lassie's Guide to a Family's Best Friend: Building the Bond of Love Between Dog and Family

Crafts, Hobbies & Home

Pets & Animal Care

Golden Book

Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas

Incredible stories and the inspiration behind the most popular Christmas songs, including Jingle Bells, Mary, Did You Know?, The First Noel, O Holy Night, Silver Bells, and White Christmas. 
Ringing along with the chimes in Silver Bells. Laughing along with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Holding a candle while singing a chorus of Silent Night. The songs that you’ve sung since you were a child continue to bring Christmas to life each year. Now, you’ll learn how your favorite Christmas songs came to be. Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas reveals the surprising and fascinating origins of secular and religious Christmas hits. Here are spiritual insights, heartwarming stories, and tales of the humble men and women of decades past who wrote what remain the most beloved Christmas songs today. Discover how: Iconic artists such as Judy Garland and Nat King Cole were influenced and inspired to record instant classics like Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and The Christmas Song. God-inspired words given to an unlikely musician became Mary, Did You Know? One of the oldest Christmas songs still sung today, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, changed from a hymn sung in Latin only in Catholic masses to a carol embraced by every Christian denomination in the world. 
The songs of Christmas reveal the true joy to be found in the celebration of Christ’s birth and the spirit of the season that is anticipated each year all over the world. These stories will warm your heart and bring extra significance to the carols you sing each December.

Religion & Spirituality

Zondervan

For over 30 years, the Cathedrals have shared the Gospel in song from London to New York, from the Holy Land to Nashville. Today, after more than 6,000 performances, 80 albums, and countless television appearances, they're going as strong as ever. And now the group's founders, Glen Payne and George Younce, share with you the shining peaks, deep valleys, and enduring faith that are the story of America's most popular male gospel quartet.

The Cathedrals: The Story of America's Best-Loved Gospel Quartet

Payne, Glen

Younce, George

Turn Your Radio On tells the fascinating stories behind gospel music's most unforgettable songs, including "Amazing Grace," "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," "He Touched Me," "I'll Fly Away," "Were You There?" and many more. These are the songs that have shaped our faith and brought us joy. You'll find out: What famous song traces back to a sailor's desperate prayer, What Bill Gaither tune was recorded by Elvis Presley in 1969 -- and won a Grammy, What song was born during a carriage ride through Washington, D.C., at the onset of the Civil War. Turn Your radio On is an inspiring journey through the songs that are part of the roots of our faith today.

Turn Your Radio On

Cathedrals, The

From the moment the pilgrims landed on the shores of the New World, to the dark days following September 11, songs of faith have inspired, comforted, and rallied our beloved country. Stories Behind the Hymns That Inspire America describes the people, places, and events that have shaped the heart and soul of America. The stories behind these songs will fascinate you and bring new meaning and richness to special spiritual moments in the history of our nation. Discover how: - 'Faith of Our Fathers,' sung at Franklin Delano Roosevelt's funeral, had its roots not with the pilgrims but with a Catholic fighting for the right to worship freely in Anglican England - World events, from the downing of Flight 007 in Russian airspace to Desert Storm and September 11, propelled Lee Greenwood's 'God Bless the U.S.A.' - The author of 'Battle Hymn of the Republic' lived the words 'His truth is marching on' until the day she died - Combining African rhythms and southern folk melodies, slaves brought Bible truths to life with songs such as 'Roll, Jordan, Roll' The songs in this book have energized movements, illuminated dark paths, commemorated historic events, taken the message of freedom and faith across this nation and beyond, healed broken spirits, and righted wrongs. Their stories will make you proud of your heritage as you realize anew that in America, even one voice can make a lasting influence.

Stories Behind the Hymns That Inspire America

The cheer of a crackling hearth fire. Colorful cards from friends and loved ones. An evergreen tree festooned with ornaments. The golden traditions of Christmas—gifts, wreaths, stockings, carols, mistletoe, and more—infuse our celebration of the season with meaning and glowing memories. And, in ways you may not realize, they point us to the birth of Christ. Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas reveals the people, places, and events that shaped the best-loved customs of this merriest of holidays. Here are spiritual insights, true-life tales, and captivating legends to intrigue you and your family and bring new luster and depth to your celebration of Jesus’ birth. Discover how • after eighteen centuries of all but ignoring the event, churches began to open the door for believers to commemorate Jesus’ incarnation. • the evergreen tree, once a central theme in the worship practices of pagan cultures, came to represent the everlasting love of God. • the magi’s three gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—are filled with spiritual symbolism. The traditions of Christmas lend beauty, awe, and hope to the holiday, causing people all over the world to anticipate it with joy. The stories in this book will warm your heart as you rediscover the true and eternal significance of Christmas.

Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas

Ace Collins has dug deep to uncover the true stories behind your favorite Christmas songs. Explore how these songs came into being, and discover a deeper appreciation for these melodic messages of peace, hope, and joy that celebrate the birth of Jesus.

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Books by Collins, Ace