Music for Patriots, Politicians, and Presidents
by Vera Brodsky Lawrence
Category: Music

It is a remarkable collection, with lyrics from pre-Revolution resistance to post-Civil War Reconstruction, covering nearly every important issue and event in the history of that period: the Constitution, presidential campaigns, battles, defeats, heroes, villains, slavery, abolition, and even women's rights. Accompanying each song--many of which are facsimiles of the original music pages--is Ms. Lawrence's informative and witty commentary. Contemporary documentary material gives enlightening historical background and explains the incidents and personalities that inspired the song text. The vitality of these songs is reflected in the splendid illustrations that appear on every page.