In the Dark Streets Shineth: A 1941 Christmas Eve Story - Hardcover

McCullough, David

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1606418319 ISBN 13: 9781606418314

Publisher: Shadow Mountain, 2010

Synopsis

Days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt met at the White House. It was Christmas Eve, 1941. As war raged throughout the world, the two leaders delivered a powerful message that still resonates today. Bestselling author and historian David McCullough relates a compelling story about the spirit of Christmas and the power of light in difficult, dangerous times. Beautifully designed with historic photographs that transport readers to the early days of World War II Includes a DVD of David McCullough s presentation of this story at the Mormon Tabernacle Choir s 2009 Christmas concert, to be featured nationally on PBS

About this title

About the Author:

David McCullough is a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize for his histories of Truman and John Adams. He was twice awarded the National Book Award, for The Path Between the Seas and Mornings on Horseback, and is the author of the highly acclaimed books 1776, Brave Companions, The Great Bridge, and The Johnstown Flood. He is the recipient of the National Book Foundation Distinguished Contribution to American Letters Award, the National Humanities Medal, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

From School Library Journal:

Gr 3-6–This is partly an account of the 1941 Christmas Eve addresses to the nation by President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill from the White House; partly a short history of two songs (“Oh Little Town of Bethlehem” and “I'll Be Home for Christmas”); and partly a photo album of Americans at Christmastime during World War II. Because of this scattered approach, the purpose is a bit unclear; the subtitle suggests that the focus is that famous 1941 Christmas Eve address, but the first line of the book, “Music is a part of our history,” leads readers to expect a greater emphasis on that subject. McCullough doesn't do justice to either topic and the random selection of period photos fails to shed any additional light. The book is handsome, and the full texts of Churchill's and Roosevelt's speeches are included, which is a bonus. However, this isn't particularly successful as either a Christmas book or an account of an important moment in history.Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library
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About this edition

• Publisher: Shadow Mountain
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1606418319
• ISBN 13: 9781606418314
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 33