Worth Dying For (Marshall book)
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
Worth Dying For: The Power and Politics of Flags is a 2016 publication focusing on vexillology, authored by British journalist Tim Marshall. It was released by Elliott & Thompson in the United Kingdom and later published in the United States by Simon & Schuster in 2017 under the title A Flag Worth Dying For: The Power and Politics of National Symbols.
Synopsis
With four decades of journalistic work spanning 25 nations and experience at organizations such as the BBC and Sky News, Marshall investigates the importance of flags in shaping identity and history. He outlines their development, noting how China's silk trade contributed to their worldwide adoption. The book addresses significant subjects including the Confederate battle flag and its contemporary disputes, the Union Jack’s association with far-right factions alongside its reclamation by varied British communities, as well as South Africa’s post-apartheid flag. The concluding section explores flags beyond nation-states, featuring examples like the Jolly Roger, the flags of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and the racing Chequered flag.
Reception
Lawrence Joffe, writing for The Jewish Chronicle, commended Marshall for applying his global reporting background to bring life to a topic that might otherwise appear dull.
Aaron Retica from The New York Times offered a mixed critique, suggesting that some flag interpretations—such as those pertaining to Europe and the Islamic State—were somewhat overstated. He took issue with grouping Israel, Iran, and Turkey under "Colors of Arabia" but recognized that the book provided unexpected insights, including Gilbert Baker’s creation of the LGBT Rainbow flag inspired by the U.S. Bicentennial.
In The Washington Post, Moisés Naím characterized the book as relevant amid a surge in nationalism but felt Marshall’s style was more enthusiast than analyst, compiling information without deeply analyzing flags' functions. On the other hand, Ray Locker at USA Today described it as an insightful exploration of symbols frequently overlooked, offering thoughtful perspectives on what flags represent to both admirers and critics. The New Yorker remarked that the work is "filled with historical facts and commentary on contemporary issues."