As elevated as our national anthem is today, when it was written during the War of 1812, it was just one of thousands of American ballads. In this fascinating book, Mark Clague traces Francis Scott Key's song from its unassuming origin to the place it holds today. Learn why it was first sung at sporting events, its history as a protest song, and noteworthy renditions by Jimi Hendrix, Roseanne Barr, and Whitney Houston.