Burning Beethoven

"Burning Beethoven explores how a flourishing culture in America was wiped out by an eruption of anti-German hysteria during World War I, when jingoistic Americans eradicated German from schools, churches, libraries, and newspapers. Germans made up the biggest, proudest, annd most successful ethnic group but became targets of hate, and sometimes victims of tarring and feathering - - even vigilante hangings. Zealous Americans slaughtered dachshunds and renamed sauerkraut "liberty cabbage" - - the "freedom fries" of that era. This book sheds light on a dark chapter of American history." --Back cover.