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December 4, 2005
Announcing the Winner of the IsThatLegal "Name My Book" Contest
Now I have to announce a winner, which is a mighty tough thing to do. The one title that I keep coming back to, over and over again, is this one:
"I Judge Allegiance to the Flag: The Government Hunt for Japanese American Disloyalty during World War II" (submitted by a reader who goes by the name "StarFiend")
Yes, there is a problem with it: starting with "I" doesn't quite work. But I love it anyway.
Will it end up as the title to the book? I really can't say for sure. Time will tell. But it's a remarkably good and catchy suggestion. Thanks to StarFiend, and to everyone else who made suggestions. I am deeply appreciative.
Incidentally, StarFiend did not leave an email address. So StarFiend, I owe you a Barnes & Noble gift certifiicate. Be in touch.
Posted by Eric at December 4, 2005 7:28 PM
Comments
Glad to see you came up with a title that has a colon in it; that character is woefully underused in titles of nonfiction books.
Posted by: Bob Munck at December 4, 2005 11:09 PM
Excellent title! Congrats to Starfiend and good luck with the book.
Posted by: Bitch | Lab at December 5, 2005 11:45 AM
Here's me. Sorry about that. Glad you liked the title.
Posted by: StarFiend at December 5, 2005 11:49 AM
Oh, and I think you're right about the "I" problem. Perhaps "We" would work better?
Posted by: StarFiend at December 5, 2005 12:13 PM
There's a rule against non-fiction book titles without a colon. Memoirs and cookbooks are exempt.
Posted by: JR at December 5, 2005 12:14 PM
Of course, I would have been happy if my suggestion had won, but there were so many good suggestions. Congratulations to Starfiend. Hope the title gets used in the book.
Eric, since you don't like "I" in the beginning of a title, why not just alter it to "Judging Allegiance to the Flag"?
Posted by: Thomas Kearney at December 5, 2005 12:41 PM
Or just "Judge Allegience..."
Still, the "I pledge Alleigiance..." it's much more compelling -- culturally. We just doesn't cut it. It doesn't and won't resonate with USers.
You know, with decent design, you can take the emphasis off the I in any number of ways.
Posted by: Bitch | Lab at December 5, 2005 2:09 PM
to judge allegiance" keeps the meter of the original...
Posted by: ben Wurtmann at December 6, 2005 12:49 AM