Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Shadow Mountain (2010), Edition: Har/DVD, 56 pages
Description
David McCullough relates a compelling story about the spirit of Christmas and the power of light in difficult, dangerous times. As war raged throughout the world, two leaders-- Roosevelt and Churchill-- delivered a powerful message that still resonates today.
User reviews
LibraryThing member avidmom
There are many men and women in America - sincere and faithful men and women - who are asking themselves this Christmas:
How can we light our trees? How can we give our gifts? How can we meet and worship with love and with uplifted spirit and heart in a world at war, a world of fighting and
How can we pause, even for a day, even for Christmas Day ..."
Franklin D. Roosevelt's Christmas Eve Message 1941
This tiny book has been lurking around in the stacks so long I almost forgot I had it and certainly didn't remember what it was about. The other day I was looking for a Christmas read and pulled it out. It took me about 10 minutes to read. What great timing to pull it out just a few days ago, just in time to commemorate the anniversary of Pearl Harbor.
Shortly after the attack, Winston Churchill, under great secrecy (Churchill's visit was so secret that his name did not appear on the Christmas Eve program) and danger to himself crossed the Atlantic to meet with President Roosevelt. Both men addressed the country on Christmas Eve from the White House. Their speeches are reprinted in this little book. Churchill called for the American people to go ahead and celebrate Christmas:
"... we may cast aside this night at least the cares and dangers which beset us, and make for the children an evening of happiness in a world of storm. Here, then, for one night only, each home throughout the English-speaking world should be a brightly-lighted island of happiness and peace." The next day, Christmas Day, Churchill and Roosevelt attended Christmas church where Churchill heard the carol, "O Little Town of Bethlehem" for the first time.
"Churchill had spoken in his remarks from the White House balcony of every home as a "brightly-lighted island" in the dark. In the first stanza of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" is the line, "Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light." I like to think of Churchill and Roosevelt singing that line in particular. And, as would be said of the Prime Minister, he always sang lustily, if not exactly in tune."
Included in the book is a DVD of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing "O Little Town of Bethlehem" & "I'll Be Home for Christmas" narrated by David McCullough who provides a history lesson for each song. The book has a small collection of WWII era photos. A neat little read for any history buffs out there.
How can we light our trees? How can we give our gifts? How can we meet and worship with love and with uplifted spirit and heart in a world at war, a world of fighting and
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suffering and death?How can we pause, even for a day, even for Christmas Day ..."
Franklin D. Roosevelt's Christmas Eve Message 1941
This tiny book has been lurking around in the stacks so long I almost forgot I had it and certainly didn't remember what it was about. The other day I was looking for a Christmas read and pulled it out. It took me about 10 minutes to read. What great timing to pull it out just a few days ago, just in time to commemorate the anniversary of Pearl Harbor.
Shortly after the attack, Winston Churchill, under great secrecy (Churchill's visit was so secret that his name did not appear on the Christmas Eve program) and danger to himself crossed the Atlantic to meet with President Roosevelt. Both men addressed the country on Christmas Eve from the White House. Their speeches are reprinted in this little book. Churchill called for the American people to go ahead and celebrate Christmas:
"... we may cast aside this night at least the cares and dangers which beset us, and make for the children an evening of happiness in a world of storm. Here, then, for one night only, each home throughout the English-speaking world should be a brightly-lighted island of happiness and peace." The next day, Christmas Day, Churchill and Roosevelt attended Christmas church where Churchill heard the carol, "O Little Town of Bethlehem" for the first time.
"Churchill had spoken in his remarks from the White House balcony of every home as a "brightly-lighted island" in the dark. In the first stanza of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" is the line, "Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light." I like to think of Churchill and Roosevelt singing that line in particular. And, as would be said of the Prime Minister, he always sang lustily, if not exactly in tune."
Included in the book is a DVD of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing "O Little Town of Bethlehem" & "I'll Be Home for Christmas" narrated by David McCullough who provides a history lesson for each song. The book has a small collection of WWII era photos. A neat little read for any history buffs out there.
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LibraryThing member MerryMary
A very slight treatment of a moment of time when the darkness of the war tried to overcome the light of Christmas. Included are the speeches of both Winston Churchill and FDR, and brief backgrounds for "Little Town of Bethlehem" and "I'll Be Home for Christmas." The narrative is quite short, barely
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enough to give context to the speeches. But, the vintage photos are wonderful, the background to the two Christmas songs, inadequate as they are, are interesting, and the DVD with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is exquisite. Show Less
LibraryThing member cbl_tn
In midst of the holiday rush, it's refreshing to set aside a few minutes for quiet reflection about the season. This brief story of Christmas at the White House in 1941 will inspire readers of any age with the spirit of Christmas. Author David McCullough helps younger generations of readers find
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new meaning in the familiar songs “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and “I'll Be Home for Christmas”. The accompanying DVD is a live recording of the author's recitation of the story to the musical accompaniment of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Historical images from World War II in both the book and the DVD will help readers visualize the setting. The book includes the 1941 Christmas speeches of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The half hour it takes to read the book and watch the DVD would be time well spent. Show Less
LibraryThing member Carmenere
This little book of only 40 pages is a nice little trip through history to Christmas Eve 1941. Just days after Pearl Harbor Winston Churchill secretly “crossed the Atlantic” to meet with President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Together they viewed the lighting of the White House Christmas tree and
The retelling is in a very abbreviated form, however, one must note that it was told during a Christmas Eve presentation and is not an indepth study of the times or songs. So enjoy it for what it is, a step back in time to a different America.
The pictures included will surely bring back images you may have seen from your own family photo albums. A DVD is included with the book and the songs mentioned above are sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the story is retold by McCullough during the annual Christmas Concert in Utah.
I would recommend it to…………….someone who would like to remember those early days of WWII or get a feel of what it must have been like to live through these days when song brought a war torn people together.
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delivered words of encouragement and hope to the 20,000 present. The occasion was the first time Churchill had heard ‘Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem” and the history of that mainstay is told. The following year another song was written to express the desire to be with the ones you love during the most familial time of year and the history of that song is reiterated. The retelling is in a very abbreviated form, however, one must note that it was told during a Christmas Eve presentation and is not an indepth study of the times or songs. So enjoy it for what it is, a step back in time to a different America.
The pictures included will surely bring back images you may have seen from your own family photo albums. A DVD is included with the book and the songs mentioned above are sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the story is retold by McCullough during the annual Christmas Concert in Utah.
I would recommend it to…………….someone who would like to remember those early days of WWII or get a feel of what it must have been like to live through these days when song brought a war torn people together.
Show Less
LibraryThing member thornton37814
This short book documents the visit of Winston Churchill to the United States in Christmas 1941. It contains photographs from that era as well as the speeches that Roosevelt and Churchill made at the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on Christmas eve. It also contains the stories of two Christmas
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carols, "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and "I'll Be Home for Christmas." I enjoyed this glimpse into a Christmas past. I was struck by the words of Roosevelt's speech which expressed faith in God, something that many in the 21st century would certainly criticize if included in a speech of today. It's a very quick read, but definitely worthwhile. The book is accompanied by a DVD of McCullough's performance at the annual Christmas Concert of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in Salt Lake City. They sing the two carols. Show Less
LibraryThing member richjj
Pretty simple story with large print and big pictures. Almost like a short, small-format coffee table book. Shorter than most short stories you'll read.
Pros: Story about the brotherhood of man (as signified by Christmas) giving hope against darkness and evil (the Axis powers of World War II).
Cons:
Pros: Story about the brotherhood of man (as signified by Christmas) giving hope against darkness and evil (the Axis powers of World War II).
Cons:
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Not very much depth or personal flavor. It's really a story about Churchill's state visit to America when they joined the war, as told by excerpts from the speeches of Churchill and Roosevelt. Show Less
LibraryThing member Maydacat
This short book tells of a wartime Christmas meeting between two world leaders. Though the narrative is short, it does contain a message that Christmas is a time of hope and happiness. The author also gives a bit of history on the writing of “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and “I’ll Be Home
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for Christmas.” The messages given by Roosevelt and Churchill clearly illustrate the struggle between what is happening, a war, and what the world longs for, peace. The photographs included, now vintage but from that time period, add to the charm of the book. Show Less
LibraryThing member Whisper1
The setting is Christmas Eve 1941. Churchill visited FDR in the White House. Surrounded by Roosevelt's family, and the beautiful lights displayed in Washington, DC near, and in the White House, while far from home, Churchill felt at ease. War raged throughout the world.
This is a story of a
The book contains stories behind the hymns "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem" and the sad, poignant song of the longing to be Home For Christmas.
The book contains a DVD with David McCullough telling the story of that very special night. In addition, there are black and white photos of the hope throughout the world. In particular, I found the image of a Christmas tree decorated in the open streets near Ederen, Germany.
This is a book to keep and enjoy each Christmas.
This is a story of a
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Christmas Eve when all bad memories were set aside, and the light of Christmas shone brightly. Both Churchill and FDR gave radio speeches, primarily about hope, about the message of love and peace.The book contains stories behind the hymns "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem" and the sad, poignant song of the longing to be Home For Christmas.
The book contains a DVD with David McCullough telling the story of that very special night. In addition, there are black and white photos of the hope throughout the world. In particular, I found the image of a Christmas tree decorated in the open streets near Ederen, Germany.
This is a book to keep and enjoy each Christmas.
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LibraryThing member librisissimo
David McCullough narrates one of the imspiring stories from World War II, the inspirational messages of Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill from their meeting at the White House on Christmas Eve, 1941.
The book also shares the stories behind the songs "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and "I'll
The DVD records McCullough's presentation at the 2009 Christmas concert of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
The pictures are historical (pages not numbered), and capture the essence of the time and place.
The book also shares the stories behind the songs "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and "I'll
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Be Home for Christmas."The DVD records McCullough's presentation at the 2009 Christmas concert of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
The pictures are historical (pages not numbered), and capture the essence of the time and place.
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Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2010
Physical description
56 p.; 9.75 inches
ISBN
9781606418314