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Betsy Ross and the Making of America Audiobook
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(3.00) - 108 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Legend has it that as the American colonies hurtled toward independence, representatives of the Continental Congress, including George Washington, walked into Betsy Ross’s Philadelphia upholstery shop and commissioned the first flag of the Revolutionary nation. Although this story has long made Betsy Ross one of America’s most celebrated patriots, little had been known until now about the woman behind the flag. Drawing on new sources and bringing a fresh, keen eye to the fabled creator of “the first flag,” Marla R. Miller thoroughly reconstructs the life behind the legend. This authoritative and thoughtful work provides a close look at the famous seamstress, and along the way delivers an epic depiction of the tensions that animated life in Revolutionary Philadelphia. At the same time, Miller casts new light on the lives of the hardworking artisan families who peopled the young nation and crafted its furniture, clothing, ships, and homes. This history of the ordinary craftspeople of the Revolutionary War and their most famous representative will be the definitive volume for years to come.
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"A stunning book. Miller's research is meticulous and her writing vivid. She not only brings to life a woman most of us know only as a legend, but she also paints an unforgettable portrait of Philadelphia in the years surrounding the Revolution."
— George (4 out of 5 stars)
Betsy Ross and the Making of America Listener Reviews
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" I read a glowing review of this somewhere (Jezebel, perhaps), selling it as the TRUE story of Betsy Ross. I just couldn't get into it. The author gets sidetracked on all kinds of tangents about Philadelphia and how people were related. I wanted to like it, but the writing was just too scattered. "
— Chrissie, 2/18/2014 -
" At first this book was a bit tedious because of all the names and details involved. As it progressed I admit I skimmed it sometimes, but it is an inspiring story of Betsy Ross, not just a flag maker but a wonderful example of a thinking, productive, ambitious woman, wife and mother. She was a plucky survivor who contributed much in a day by day effort to keep her country and family forging ahead. There is interesting detail of Philadelphia as an emerging city and the craftsmen who began it, the part the cities patriots played in the forging of our nation and details of daily life in the late 1700's and early 1880's. "
— Sherry, 12/16/2013 -
" for all you history geeks out there, you have to read this one. surprisingly, it turned out to be a rather quick and fascinating read. "
— Sarah, 12/9/2013 -
" In some parts I skimmed but I did enjoy the scope of the material. Most of the reviews summarize it very well. It was more than ok - but I wouldn't read it again as a novel, more as an excellent source for understanding Philly at the time of the Revolution. "
— Claudia, 6/26/2013 -
" this book was ok. It was just not about a topic that I found interesting. I enjoyed the part about the truth behind Betsy Ross and the sewing of the American flag, but it drug on a bit too long, and I finally lost interest. "
— Hershel, 3/12/2013 -
" More about Philadelphia and family background than Betsy Too much info not enough interesting things... I wish it was a smaller book with details about Betsy. "
— August, 11/12/2012 -
" This is a particularly academic approach to Betsy Ross's life, so open the book expecting that "
— Elizabeth, 5/31/2012 -
" Tedious at times but intreresting info on craftspeople "
— Angela, 5/6/2012 -
" This is a good discussion of what is factual and what is fictional in the Betsy Ross legend. I didn't care so much for those details, but enjoyed the detailed portrayal of a craftwoman's life in the Revolutionary era. "
— Lynne, 7/13/2011 -
" this book was ok. It was just not about a topic that I found interesting. I enjoyed the part about the truth behind Betsy Ross and the sewing of the American flag, but it drug on a bit too long, and I finally lost interest. "
— Hershel, 1/21/2011 -
" <br/>In some parts I skimmed but I did enjoy the scope of the material. Most of the reviews summarize it very well. It was more than ok - but I wouldn't read it again as a novel, more as an excellent source for understanding Philly at the time of the Revolution. "
— Claudia, 1/13/2011 -
" I read a glowing review of this somewhere (Jezebel, perhaps), selling it as the TRUE story of Betsy Ross. I just couldn't get into it. The author gets sidetracked on all kinds of tangents about Philadelphia and how people were related. I wanted to like it, but the writing was just too scattered. "
— Chrissie, 7/5/2010 -
" This is a good discussion of what is factual and what is fictional in the Betsy Ross legend. I didn't care so much for those details, but enjoyed the detailed portrayal of a craftwoman's life in the Revolutionary era. "
— Lynne, 5/1/2010
About Dana Green
Dana Green is an audiobook narrator whose readings include Join the Club by Tina Rosenberg, Every Man in This Village Is a Liar by Megan Stack, and Betsy Ross and the Making of America by Marla R. Miller.