“Dennis Spragg examines the turbulent period of World War II when media and the government formed an alliance in promoting the concept of American exceptionalism to galvanize American support and support the Allied war effort while demoralizing Axis forces. He argues that the United States is an exceptional nation that transcends region, race, and religion; and that events in America’s history have defined what American exceptionalism is and how it transformed the United States from its independence from Great Britain to a global superpower. The strength of America Ascendant is Spragg’s exceptional prose and style. It is simply hard to put down. His exhaustive research of both primary and secondary sources provides a comprehensive look of the Axis defeat from many perspectives. The work is highly readable and may be the most comprehensive examination of America’s public diplomacy efforts during World War II to date. This would be an excellent addition to the library of any historian or student with an interest on the subject.” – Jesse McIntyre III, U. S. Army Military Review. The complete review can be found here: Military Review – America Ascendant
“American Ascendant: The Rise of American Exceptionalism discusses the global crisis that changed American history when President Franklin D. Roosevelt arranged a partnership between the U.S. government and media to communicate the threat of World War II to the American public. The purpose was to promote the idea of American exceptionalism…and to manipulate the public to support the government’s cause. Seldom has a connection between government and media purposes been so clearly explored as in this survey. Spragg probes the underlying conflicts and ideals that had to be addressed in an effort to change the American mind, pairing historical with political and social history in a survey replete in World War II events, media choices and representations, and government special interests. The result is a powerful, different view of American Exceptionalism and a history that belongs not just in American history holdings, but media studies collections” – Midwest Book Review
“With great dedication Dennis Spragg has extensively researched the stories that have long circulated about the disappearance of our father’s plane during World War II. Finally, there is resolution to this long-standing mystery.” —Jonnie Miller Hoffman, daughter and surviving heir of Glenn Miller
“Dennis Spragg not only brings Miller’s entire professional life and career into sharp focus; he artfully weaves together strands of military, aviation, political, and cultural history to produce what is sure to be the definitive biography of this dedicated patriot and gifted entertainer. Glenn Miller Declassified is a richly researched and wonderfully crafted work.” —Dr. Mark J. Conversino, Col. USAF (Ret.), deputy commandant and professor of strategy and security studies at the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Air University, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Alabama
“Glenn Miller Declassified is a remarkable feat of historical investigation, technical analysis, and cultural retrospective. Meticulously researched, the author provides the most compelling argument yet of what happened to one of America’s most influential musical figures.” – Dr. Matthew Hurley, Col., USAF (Ret.), former HQ-USAF division chief, ISR Doctrine and Policy
“Dennis Spragg has crafted a book that will appeal and benefit an eclectic group of readers, including those with interests in World War II, big band and swing music, unsolved mysteries, and of course, Glenn Miller himself. Each of these groups will find a volume that is superbly written, exhaustively researched and one which grips the reader throughout. They will also find that Spragg has developed the definitive study of the events of 15 December 1944.” – Frederick A. Baillergeon, U. S. Army Military Review. The complete review can be found here: Military Review – Glenn Miller Declassified
“Glenn Miller Declassified” is lovingly obsessive about solving a mystery that has spawned all manner of wild stories, and it is full of tables and footnotes and tiny, fascinating details. But you don’t have to be a Miller aficionado or World War II buff to enjoy it. Readers who enjoy true-crime and mystery media — whether Netflix’s “Making a Murderer,” public radio’s “Serial” or history-mysteries of any kind — will find plenty to keep the pages turning.” – Clay Evans, Boulder Daily Camera. The complete review can be found here: Glenn Miller Book Seeks To Solve Mystery of Musician’s Disappearance
“An excellent historical detective story that brings to life that small period of time that changed the course of the music world and once and forever lays to rest all the silly theories.” —Edward F. Polic, author of the definitive Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band discography, “Sustineo Alas / I Sustain the Wings
“I only wish my mother and her mom could, in their lifetimes, have had the comfort that your well-documented book could bring them.” – Glenn Miller Wolfe, nephew of Glenn Miller, son of Irene Miller Wolfe and grandson of Mattie Lou Miller
“Glenn Miller Declassified not only solves the mystery, it chronicles the story of Miller’s AAF Band, its broadcast activities in America and England, and the politics behind it all … not only do Spragg’s solid facts obliterate the conspiracy theories, his analysis of the Army Air Force’s investigative report on the disappearance, which included testimony, offers a simpler, more plausible conclusion … Spragg’s account offers depth and closure to this long debated matter.” Rich Kienzle- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The complete review can be found here: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Glenn Miller Mystery Solved
“The author is to be commended for undertaking and pursuing to completion exhaustive, scrupulous, and critically tested research to support the statements and conclusions contained in his book. This is a scholarly work that will correct a historical record that has all too often been strewn with and distorted by unverified anecdotes and oral ‘histories’ … By the time the secret investigation of Miller’s disappearance was completed by the Air Force on January 24, 1945, and then quietly filed away, rumors and misinformation began to fill the information vacuum … Mr. Spragg’s fine book has finally set the historical record straight … I recommend this book without reservation to anyone who has an interest in Glenn Miller.” – Michael Zirpolo, “Swing and Beyond”. The complete review can be found here: Swing and Beyond: Glenn Miller Declassified
“Spragg debunks a variety of conspiracy theories on Miller’s disappearance. . . . But even readers uninterested in conspiracy theories will be impressed with Miller’s extraordinary talent, remarkable work ethic, and commitment to music, the ‘kids,’ and his country.”—Richard Culyer, World War II Magazine
“A magnificent new look at [Glenn Miller’s] entire career, as well as a stunning conclusion about how he really went down in 1944’s most famous aerial missing person case. It’s not what you think, either!”—Blaine Taylor, Military Advisor
“This is an important book about a significant chapter in the life of Glenn Miller, one of the true giants of American popular music.“—Joe Lang, NJ Jazz Society
“Glenn Miller Declassified will, of course, be of interest to scholars of military history and American music. But it is also an excellent resource for understanding broadcasting (both of music and spoke word) during World War II. Furthermore, Glenn Miller Declassified will be of interest to scholars of Iowa and the Midwest, as Miller was a native son of Iowa whose musical mind was shaped by the band culture of the interwar America heartland.”—Annals of Iowa