From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, this book presents an up-to-date collection of national anthems from the 200 sovereign countries in the world, providing music sheets arranged for piano, lyrics in the original language, and an English translation. Each entry includes facts about the country's historical background and the nation itself and an account of how the song came to be the national anthem. This new edition also provides a map and the flag for each entry and includes the songs of autonomous regional units, international organizations, and extinct nations.

About the Author

Xing Hang is assistant professor of history at Brandeis University. He is the coauthor of In North Korea: An American Travels Through an Imprisoned Nation (2003).

Reviews

This revision to the 2003 edition is based upon a greater number and variety of sources than the earlier work, with the aim of providing more accurate content. It incorporates information on alterations to political regimes occurring over the last decade, as such changes have transformed national identities and, in turn, national anthems. Anthems of international organizations and countries of, for example, the former Soviet Union, are also included. Each entry, under five pages, now includes maps, flags, national demographics, and brief anthem histories. As before, lyrics appear in the nation's dominant language, Latinized; then in the native alphabet; and, finally, in English translation. Sheet music, uniting melody and lyrics, closes each entry. The written material offers enlightening national sketches. Library Journal Xing Hang (history, Brandeis Univ.) has expanded the second edition (1st ed., CH, May'04, 41-5040) of this encyclopedia considerably. Several large categories of anthems are represented: international organizations and movements; members and observers of the United Nations; non-UN entities; and extinct states...The volume is arranged by country, and the newly added works in non-Latin script make available even more music. A fact box displays information about a specific country, along with a map and flag. The text section provides information about the composers and lyricists, and discusses the adoption of the anthem. Translations of foreign lyrics are included...Detailed endnotes are included. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers. CHOICE Gr 9 Up--Updating the 2003 edition, this work reflects intervening changes in nations and anthems and provides improved sheet music and historical coverage. Entries include information on most of the sovereign countries of the world and feature a black-and-white or color map of the nation and its flag; a box detailing basic data such as the official languages, GDP, and holidays; at least a paragraph of background; the lyrics of the anthem in the native language and in English; and sheet music. Entries are arranged in sections covering "International Organizations and Movements," "United National Members and Observers," "Non-United Nation Entities," and "Extinct States"; and within those, alphabetically by country. This set will help students researching countries and cultures. School Library Journal