America's Curious Ways by Beverly Ely

America's Curious Ways, Holidays, Customs and Apple Pie is a browsing book, a historical companion and a fact finder. It helps to define that slippery thing called common knowledge that makes conversation meaningful. This important book of information explains this common memory as expressed in the holidays, celebrations,and rituals that give a key to understanding this formidable and puzzling nation. It took hundreds of years to build this great country and the icons that define it. This book gives a clear-eyed view of that developoment and the facts behind the celebrations and symbols.