{"product_id":"the-worst-songs-in-the-world-the-terrible-truth-about-national-anthems-9781459754560","title":"The Worst Songs in the World: The Terrible Truth about National Anthems","description":"\u003cstrong\u003eThe best-known songs in the world are violent, sexist, and religious -- so why do we celebrate national anthems when we should be rewriting them?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Fascinating and thoughtful ... showcases how anthems divide us even as they promise to bring communities together.\" -- MARK CLAGUE, author of \u003cem\u003eO Say Can You Hear?: A Cultural Biography of The Star-Spangled Banner\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis fascinating popular history of national anthems begins in a London theatre in 1745 when the modern idea of anthems was born. They started out as triumphant expressions of national superiority by glorifying violence, claiming the support of God, and mostly ignoring women.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDavid Pate has experienced the violent side of anthems firsthand: as a schoolboy in Scotland, he was caned for refusing to sing \"God Save the Queen.\" He says it's time to dump lyrics about cutting throats, watering fields with blood, building walls with the bodies of enemies, and celebrating the sound of machine guns.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Worst Songs in the World\u003c\/em\u003e looks at the origins of many of the world's anthems, from the movie theme song that became China's national anthem to the English tune used for \"The Star-Spangled Banner.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis wide-ranging and deeply researched narrative combines politics, personalities, humour, and vivid storytelling to argue for better national songs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Dundurn Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 09\/24\/2024\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781459754560\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 336\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.05lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.40h x 5.50w x 1.00d","brand":"David Pate","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44683441733813,"sku":"9781459754560","price":20.39,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/files\/img_cf496611-af1b-40b2-beba-a956ae22ae34.jpg?v=1727795893","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/the-worst-songs-in-the-world-the-terrible-truth-about-national-anthems-9781459754560","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}