5 Best Books about Patriotism

The 5 Best Books is a meme hosted by Cassandra at Indie Reader Houston

  To coincide with the celebration of Independence Day in the United States on July 4, this week's topic is to list our 5 Best Books about patriotism.

  

  July 4th is a significant day in my own personal history.  I am a born and bred Canadian girl, but on this day in 1999, I moved to the United States to be with my now-husband (a long story in itself).  I became an American citizen in April, 2008, and while I feel privileged to live here and especially to have the right to vote, I am still a proud Canadian.  So my list reflects my dual citizenship:

1. Band of Brothers:  E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest by Steven Ambrose.  I did read this after I saw the amazing HBO miniseries, but I loved its story of this group of men from all over the United States coming together for a common goal.
2. The Greater Journey:  Americans in Paris 1830-1900 by David McCullough.  Yes, this book is primarily set in Paris, but it highlights how that city contributed to the accomplishments of many Americans in a variety of arenas.
3. How to Be a Canadian (Even if You Already are One) by Will & Ian Ferguson.  We Canadians have a great ability to laugh at ourselves.  Despite the title, the book might only be fully appreciated by those of us already Canadian, but anyone reading it will get a fun look into life in the Great White North (eh?)
4. The Best Laid Plans and The High Road by Terry Fallis.  Two wonderfully entertaining novels about Canadian politics featuring reluctant MP Angus McClintock.  I am eagerly awaiting (hoping for) a third installment in this series.
5. Oh Canada!Oh Quebec!:  Requiem for a Divided Country by Mordecai Richler.  In 1995, Canada came dangerously close to losing the province of Quebec.  This book was written in 1992 in the heat of the separation debate and likely helped intensify the situation.