Uncle Sam

"Uncle Sam" by Albert Matthews is a journey into the history of how the United States got one of its most famous nicknames, exploring how it reflects what people thought about the country and its government. Starting with a close look at what society was like back then, especially around the War of 1812, the book explains how the idea of "Uncle Sam" started. Matthews describes the different nicknames Americans used to have, and points out that "Uncle Sam" didn't appear right at the beginning of the war, like many people think. The book tells the story of Samuel Wilson, a contractor from Troy, New York, who seems to be the reason the nickname started. It looks like "Uncle Sam" began as a slightly mocking term before turning into the well-known symbol of the U.S. government. By mixing historical facts with fun stories from old newspapers, Matthews helps the reader understand the political and social atmosphere that helped create this national name.