“ESSENTIAL HISTORY AND COMPELLING INSIGHT”
America Ascendant, the Rise of American Exceptionalism by Dennis M. Spragg vividly portrays the global crisis that brought the American government and media into an extraordinary alliance. Firstly, Dennis explains how President Franklin Delano Roosevelt aligned the government and America’s media outlets. Moreover, the alliance communicated to isolationist America the gravity of the threat that World War II posed to civilization. Therefore, the alliance promoted the concept of American exceptionalism, which motivated the United Nations to defeat fascism. Furthermore. the alliance then crafted an enlightened postwar world order, including the Marshall Plan and NATO, to transcend communism. Consequently, genuine American Exceptionalism is resolute, restrained and multilateral. Likewise, capturing America’s positive trajectory in one volume, America Ascendant makes a strong statement for today’s Americans who question their history and purpose.
Glenn Miller Declassified tells the critically acclaimed true story of musical legend Glenn Miller. Firstly, weaving together cultural and military history, Dennis spotlights the importance of Miller’s life, career, and patriotism. For instance, at the peak of his popularity, America’s number one bandleader walked away from his lucrative career to join the Army Air Forces. Moreover, Miller formed what many consider to be the greatest big band of all time. Furthermore, General “Jimmy” Doolittle said that “next to a letter from home,” Miller’s AAF band was “the greatest morale booster in the European Theater.” Likewise, the British people embraced the legendary American. But in December 1944 Miller disappeared on a flight over the English Channel. Therefore, seventy years of speculation have clouded Miller’s legacy. However, with unprecedented access to previously classified evidence and a methodical attention to detail, Dennis persuasively solves the mystery.
Dennis M. Spragg coordinates the Glenn Miller Collections at the American Music Research Center, University of Colorado Boulder, serves on the AMRC advisory board and as historian of the Glenn Miller Birthplace Society in Clarinda, Iowa. Meanwhile, with legendary Denver radio personality Rick Crandall, he produces the acclaimed weekly big band broadcast the Star-Spangled Radio Hour. Likewise, Dennis directs the Glenn Miller Collections website and social media. Moreover, he writes widely respected opinion articles that connect the history of America and exceptionalism with current events. Also, influential American and international media have published his articles and essays, as have the Smithsonian and Library of Congress. He appears regularly on radio, television, podcasts and at in-person presentations.
