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Monday, November 22, 2010

A War Time Christmas

David McCullough is a well known historian who has written a very simple, yet touching book about the Christmas Eve visit of Winston Churchill to Washington, D.C. in 1941, just a short time after Pearl Harbor.  In the Dark Streets Shineth tells the tale of how  Churchill traveled under very dangerous conditions to meet with Roosevelt during the dark beginnings of World War 2 in the United States.  He left his family and country to share a  message with Roosevelt during the National Tree Lighting Service, which took place on Christmas Eve at the White House.  No one knew he was coming to the United States until he was introduced by Roosevelt and gave a heartfelt speech about each home being a place of light and peace for this one night while the war waged on around the world.

This book is a slim little hardcover, but perfect for gift giving.  It contains photos of Churchill's visit, pictures of Christmas in the United States during the 1940's, and of soldiers fighting the war during Christmastime.  It also includes the full texts of Roosevelt's and Churchill's speeches on Christmas Eve.

And one final gift:  The stories of how "O Little Town Of Bethlehem" and "I'll be Home for Christmas" became famous songs we still love to hear today.

There is a DVD included of David McCullough narrating  and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing during a televised holiday event courtesy of PBS.

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