of the flag. At the start of the book, Tappan sets the stage with the tale of Henry Hudson, who, while on a fruitless journey to find a passage to Asia, unintentionally introduced the Dutch flag to America. The narrative progresses through the flags carried by colonists, including the pine-tree flag, and discusses the contentious symbols that reflected the colonists' struggles with authority and the quest for liberty. It also introduces notable figures, such as John Endicott, who dramatically removed the cross from the English flag in defiance of royal authority. Overall, the opening portion outlines the pivotal role of flags in shaping and representing the early identity of a nation on the brink of independence. (This is an automatically generated summary.)