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Free Men and Dreamers #4
Oh, Say Can You See?
Tis The Star-Spangled Banner; O! Long May it Wave...
Though the capital smolders, the battered Constitution and the presidency have survived. But the British left the struggling government no home. Gone are the symbols of America - the Capitol Building and the President's House, and nearly every relic of the infant nation.
Britain's next target is the port city of Baltimore, but has the raid on Washington stiffened the Americans' backs?
As the Willows women mourn their absent men - gone to war, or wounded, or captured - they await the birth of a blessed child.
Miles away, attorney Francis Scott Key embarks on a diplomatic mission that will leave an everlasting mark on America. Proving that the pen can indeed be more powerful than a sword, Key records the fears and hopes of his embattled people. His epic poem soon set to music and titled "The Star-Spangled Banner," rallies a shattered nation to rise from its knees to claim the dream of "one nation under God" during the closing hours of the War of 1812.
********
What others are saying about “OH SAY CAN YOU SEE?”
“This book is poignant, haunting, gripping—a timely celebration of this country and her people.”
Braden Bell, author of “The Road Show”
“I'm awestruck at L.C. Lewis's mastery of detail-rich prose.”
Marsha Ward, author of “Man From Shenandoah” and other compelling westerns.
“I was able to picture each person I "met" in the pages of her novel.”
Rachelle Christensen, author of “Wrong Number.”
“You will be drawn into the story by events, but want to continue to read because of the characters . . . You will have no problem reading this book even if you haven't seen the previous works. But after you read Oh, Say Can You See?, you'll want to have the rest of the series.”
Lynn Parsons, co-author of (dis)Abilities and the Gospel)
“L.C. Lewis has the remarkable gift of being able to create three-dimensional characters who step into incredibly detailed and accurate historical accounts of real-life events. I can’t say it enough, the detail was excellent.”
Marilyn Bunderson, author of “The Mark.”
Though the capital smolders, the battered Constitution and the presidency have survived. But the British left the struggling government no home. Gone are the symbols of America - the Capitol Building and the President's House, and nearly every relic of the infant nation.
Britain's next target is the port city of Baltimore, but has the raid on Washington stiffened the Americans' backs?
As the Willows women mourn their absent men - gone to war, or wounded, or captured - they await the birth of a blessed child.
Miles away, attorney Francis Scott Key embarks on a diplomatic mission that will leave an everlasting mark on America. Proving that the pen can indeed be more powerful than a sword, Key records the fears and hopes of his embattled people. His epic poem soon set to music and titled "The Star-Spangled Banner," rallies a shattered nation to rise from its knees to claim the dream of "one nation under God" during the closing hours of the War of 1812.
********
What others are saying about “OH SAY CAN YOU SEE?”
“This book is poignant, haunting, gripping—a timely celebration of this country and her people.”
Braden Bell, author of “The Road Show”
“I'm awestruck at L.C. Lewis's mastery of detail-rich prose.”
Marsha Ward, author of “Man From Shenandoah” and other compelling westerns.
“I was able to picture each person I "met" in the pages of her novel.”
Rachelle Christensen, author of “Wrong Number.”
“You will be drawn into the story by events, but want to continue to read because of the characters . . . You will have no problem reading this book even if you haven't seen the previous works. But after you read Oh, Say Can You See?, you'll want to have the rest of the series.”
Lynn Parsons, co-author of (dis)Abilities and the Gospel)
“L.C. Lewis has the remarkable gift of being able to create three-dimensional characters who step into incredibly detailed and accurate historical accounts of real-life events. I can’t say it enough, the detail was excellent.”
Marilyn Bunderson, author of “The Mark.”
466 pages, Paperback
First published November 2, 2010
About the author
Laurie L.C. Lewis
21 books494 followersLaurie (L.C.) Lewis will always be a Marylander at heart—a weather-whining lover of crabs, American history, and the sea. She admits to being craft-challenged, and particularly lethal with a glue gun, which is why she set her creative juices on writing which was less likely to burn her fingers. She's also a devotee of sappy movies, fried chicken, and twinkle lights.
She writes women’s fiction/romance novels as Laurie Lewis. They include The Better Man (2024) Revenge Never Rests (2022) Cross-Country Christmas (2021), Secrets Never Die, (2019) Love on the Line (2019), Awakening Avery (2018), Love on a Limb (2017), Sweet Water (2017), The Dragons of Alsace Farm (2016), and Unspoken (2004). Using the pen name L.C. Lewis, she wrote her national and international award-winning WWII drama based on the life of a survivor of the occupation of France, The Letter Carrier (2022), and the five volumes of her award-winning FREE MEN and DREAMERS historical romance series, set against the backdrop of the War of 1812: Dark Sky at Dawn (2007), Twilight’s Last Gleaming (2008), Dawn’s Early Light (2009), Oh, Say Can You See? (2010), and In God is Our Trust, (2011).
Laurie Lewis is a two-time 2023 Whitney Award winner for Novel of the Year and Best Historical Fiction (The Letter Carrier). That same year, she was also awarded The Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal for Inspirational Fiction, also for The Letter Carrier. In 2016-17 she was awarded a RONE Award, a New Apple Literary Award, and Readers Favorite award, and a Whitney finalist award (The Dragons of Alsace Farm). In 2018, she won New Apple Literary’s Best New Fiction Award (Love on a Limb.) She is also a BRAGG Medallion honoree, and a USA Best Books Awards finalist.
Laurie is currently working on additional books in the Silver Buckle Brides Series.
Laurie loves to hear from readers, and she invites you to join her VIP Readers’ Club or contact her at any of these locations.
VIP Readers’ Club https://www.laurielclewis.com/newsletter
Website www.laurielclewis.com
Twitter https://twitter.com/laurielclewis
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LaurieLCLewis/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/laurielclewis/
BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lauri...
She writes women’s fiction/romance novels as Laurie Lewis. They include The Better Man (2024) Revenge Never Rests (2022) Cross-Country Christmas (2021), Secrets Never Die, (2019) Love on the Line (2019), Awakening Avery (2018), Love on a Limb (2017), Sweet Water (2017), The Dragons of Alsace Farm (2016), and Unspoken (2004). Using the pen name L.C. Lewis, she wrote her national and international award-winning WWII drama based on the life of a survivor of the occupation of France, The Letter Carrier (2022), and the five volumes of her award-winning FREE MEN and DREAMERS historical romance series, set against the backdrop of the War of 1812: Dark Sky at Dawn (2007), Twilight’s Last Gleaming (2008), Dawn’s Early Light (2009), Oh, Say Can You See? (2010), and In God is Our Trust, (2011).
Laurie Lewis is a two-time 2023 Whitney Award winner for Novel of the Year and Best Historical Fiction (The Letter Carrier). That same year, she was also awarded The Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal for Inspirational Fiction, also for The Letter Carrier. In 2016-17 she was awarded a RONE Award, a New Apple Literary Award, and Readers Favorite award, and a Whitney finalist award (The Dragons of Alsace Farm). In 2018, she won New Apple Literary’s Best New Fiction Award (Love on a Limb.) She is also a BRAGG Medallion honoree, and a USA Best Books Awards finalist.
Laurie is currently working on additional books in the Silver Buckle Brides Series.
Laurie loves to hear from readers, and she invites you to join her VIP Readers’ Club or contact her at any of these locations.
VIP Readers’ Club https://www.laurielclewis.com/newsletter
Website www.laurielclewis.com
Twitter https://twitter.com/laurielclewis
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LaurieLCLewis/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/laurielclewis/
BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lauri...
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 19, 2026
I loved these books so much! I learned so much I didn’t know about the War of 1812 and what things were like.
October 3, 2017
This was very well written historical fiction. Multiple storylines covering all the different aspects of the war provided amazing detail coupled with the more personal aspects of how the war impacted the people of our country. I especially enjoyed learning the back story of where our national anthem came from. It moved me to tears.
March 22, 2011
Absolutely loved this! Laurie Lewis is a master at weaving historical accounts into her stories! What a pleasure to imagine such profound events as a setting/backdrop in her character's lives. It's like being an 'insider' to the great moments in out country's history, while thoroughly enjoying the believable characters and engaging story-line that Laurie has created.
Author of Oh, Say Can You See? the fourth book in the Free Men and Dreamers Series, L.C.Lewis is an excellent author who wears her passion for the United States of America on her sleeve, in her heart, and penned in her incredible works. Her novels are thoroughly researched and give the reader a true sense of what life must have been like at the beginning of our great nation, as she masterfully weaves her characters in with historical people and events. Laurie describes her works: Dark Sky at Dawn, book one of Free Men and Dreamers, introduces the troubled characters--American, British and slave--whose lives are caught up in this complex period. Europe was in tumult over Napoleon, and America was a hotbed of social and political divisiveness. Nearly bankrupt, the American military was under-manned and under-funded, requiring citizen-soldiers to leave their plows and hearths to fight. They marched off, filled with bravado and ballyhoo, but the British threat soon humbled them, nearly breaking their spirit. Twilight's Last Gleaming, book two of the series, carries our characters into the early days of the war, highlighting the sacrifice and courage of the women as well as the men. In Dawn's Early Light, the British war machine heads for Washington, terrorizing families along the Patuxent and Potomac rivers, leaving the citizenry and their leaders fearful that their government, their Constitution, and their very way of life is endangered. Volume four, Oh, Say Can You See? details the poignant events surrounding the Battle of Baltimore, the writing of the “Star-Spangled Banner” story and the end of the war. Volume five, “In God Is Our Trust” will carry us beyond the war, illustrating the America molded by the War of 1812. We are anticipating a summer 2011 release. The Free Men and Dreamers series should be one everyone's reading list, not only for enjoyable reading, but for an awakening of gratitude for our founding father's and their profound contributions to our nation. I highly recommend this thought-provoking series as a supplement to American History classes nation-wide.
Author of Oh, Say Can You See? the fourth book in the Free Men and Dreamers Series, L.C.Lewis is an excellent author who wears her passion for the United States of America on her sleeve, in her heart, and penned in her incredible works. Her novels are thoroughly researched and give the reader a true sense of what life must have been like at the beginning of our great nation, as she masterfully weaves her characters in with historical people and events. Laurie describes her works: Dark Sky at Dawn, book one of Free Men and Dreamers, introduces the troubled characters--American, British and slave--whose lives are caught up in this complex period. Europe was in tumult over Napoleon, and America was a hotbed of social and political divisiveness. Nearly bankrupt, the American military was under-manned and under-funded, requiring citizen-soldiers to leave their plows and hearths to fight. They marched off, filled with bravado and ballyhoo, but the British threat soon humbled them, nearly breaking their spirit. Twilight's Last Gleaming, book two of the series, carries our characters into the early days of the war, highlighting the sacrifice and courage of the women as well as the men. In Dawn's Early Light, the British war machine heads for Washington, terrorizing families along the Patuxent and Potomac rivers, leaving the citizenry and their leaders fearful that their government, their Constitution, and their very way of life is endangered. Volume four, Oh, Say Can You See? details the poignant events surrounding the Battle of Baltimore, the writing of the “Star-Spangled Banner” story and the end of the war. Volume five, “In God Is Our Trust” will carry us beyond the war, illustrating the America molded by the War of 1812. We are anticipating a summer 2011 release. The Free Men and Dreamers series should be one everyone's reading list, not only for enjoyable reading, but for an awakening of gratitude for our founding father's and their profound contributions to our nation. I highly recommend this thought-provoking series as a supplement to American History classes nation-wide.
December 1, 2010
I'm a fan of all Laurie (L.C.) Lewis's books, so it was no surprise for me to get that "coming home" feeling as soon as I began reading Volume Four in the Free Men and Dreamers Series—Oh, Say Can You See? All the familiar characters were racing on with their fascinating and dangerous lives, as the story continued to unfold in this epic work of historical fiction.
I think this volume will especially appeal to male readers. Laurie's battle scenes are so well researched and described that I felt I was right there amid the cannons, ships, and horses.
For the ladies, the sweet agony of romance between America's Frannie Pearson and England's Arthur Ramsey continues to blossom despite almost impossible obstacles. And then there's Jed Pearson, the book's hero. Will he ever be set free from his British captors and see his wife, Hannah, and their newborn baby? You'll have to read the book to find the answer, and to discover another romance developing in the background—this time for an Irish hero by the name of Markus O'Malley.
The highlight of the book, for me, was the unfolding story of Francis Scott Key, and how his glorious song, The Star Spangled Banner, came into being. The details were new to me, and gave me a rich understanding for the American national anthem. I will hear and sing it with deeper appreciation for our freedom from now on. I also appreciated Laurie's fair handling of Britain's role in those trying and perilous times. It's refreshing to hear more than one viewpoint, and to realize that while some British leaders and fighters had evil intent, there were yet many ordinary people in the British Isles living normal, productive lives with no lust for war and power.
I'm having a hard time waiting until next year for the final edition of this saga to appear. Thanks, Laurie Lewis, for creating such a satisfying and well written series. You're doing a grand job. Hope there's a movie one day.
I think this volume will especially appeal to male readers. Laurie's battle scenes are so well researched and described that I felt I was right there amid the cannons, ships, and horses.
For the ladies, the sweet agony of romance between America's Frannie Pearson and England's Arthur Ramsey continues to blossom despite almost impossible obstacles. And then there's Jed Pearson, the book's hero. Will he ever be set free from his British captors and see his wife, Hannah, and their newborn baby? You'll have to read the book to find the answer, and to discover another romance developing in the background—this time for an Irish hero by the name of Markus O'Malley.
The highlight of the book, for me, was the unfolding story of Francis Scott Key, and how his glorious song, The Star Spangled Banner, came into being. The details were new to me, and gave me a rich understanding for the American national anthem. I will hear and sing it with deeper appreciation for our freedom from now on. I also appreciated Laurie's fair handling of Britain's role in those trying and perilous times. It's refreshing to hear more than one viewpoint, and to realize that while some British leaders and fighters had evil intent, there were yet many ordinary people in the British Isles living normal, productive lives with no lust for war and power.
I'm having a hard time waiting until next year for the final edition of this saga to appear. Thanks, Laurie Lewis, for creating such a satisfying and well written series. You're doing a grand job. Hope there's a movie one day.
December 13, 2010
By the end of the first page of Oh, Say Can You See, I had chills. Those chills continued as I read the brief scenes that introduced the characters that populate this epic book. I was quickly drawn in, by the power of the story and by Lewis’s deft technique, which helped me experience the book without getting in the way.
Oh, Say Can You See crackles with tension and suspense. Although I know how the Battle of Baltimore ended, I found myself staying up late at night and turning pages in an urgent attempt to find out what happened to the country and to the characters I came to know and love. I should note that this is the fourth book in a series. However, it is easily enjoyed as a stand-alone volume.
This book touched me deeply, causing me to reflect on the countless lives that have sacrificed freedom and happiness so that I could pursue my own. Lewis has written a compelling, almost epic, novel, full of themes that span from 1812 to 2010—and beyond. As her characters wrestle with the dislocation and trauma of a war, they come to realize what it means to be Americans, what it means to be free—and ultimately, what it means to be human.
This book is poignant, haunting, gripping—a timely celebration of this country and her people. While it tells the backstory of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” I found myself reflecting on the lyrics to another favorite song: “Oh beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife, who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life.”
This book is a magnificent love story—love between man and woman, love between friends, love between siblings, and ultimately, love between citizens and their country.
Oh, Say Can You See crackles with tension and suspense. Although I know how the Battle of Baltimore ended, I found myself staying up late at night and turning pages in an urgent attempt to find out what happened to the country and to the characters I came to know and love. I should note that this is the fourth book in a series. However, it is easily enjoyed as a stand-alone volume.
This book touched me deeply, causing me to reflect on the countless lives that have sacrificed freedom and happiness so that I could pursue my own. Lewis has written a compelling, almost epic, novel, full of themes that span from 1812 to 2010—and beyond. As her characters wrestle with the dislocation and trauma of a war, they come to realize what it means to be Americans, what it means to be free—and ultimately, what it means to be human.
This book is poignant, haunting, gripping—a timely celebration of this country and her people. While it tells the backstory of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” I found myself reflecting on the lyrics to another favorite song: “Oh beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife, who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life.”
This book is a magnificent love story—love between man and woman, love between friends, love between siblings, and ultimately, love between citizens and their country.
November 4, 2010
I’m not always interested in reading historical fiction when I read for leisure but this book held my curiosity without question. My knowledge of the history of our national anthem is not very noteworthy so with reading Oh Say Can You See, I knew I would learn something; and learn I did.
This story is weaved with the triumph and tragedy of the War of 1812 and what the British tried to accomplish in their last push to overcome the colonists. Frances Scott Key played a great role in this era as did other patriots fighting for the freedoms of this new country. A great epic story for the young and old alike, it ended with me wanting more.
If you ever get the chance to read this series, take the opportunity!!! It is great.
This story is weaved with the triumph and tragedy of the War of 1812 and what the British tried to accomplish in their last push to overcome the colonists. Frances Scott Key played a great role in this era as did other patriots fighting for the freedoms of this new country. A great epic story for the young and old alike, it ended with me wanting more.
If you ever get the chance to read this series, take the opportunity!!! It is great.
June 19, 2011
Reading Oh, Say Can You See? as we approach our Birthday/Freedom Day Celebrations, whether in Canada or the United States, both countries children of England, has brought a lot of gratitude to my heart for our freedoms and liberties that we enjoy today.
While a lot of the book is set in my own backyard, it also takes us to Canada and England. Laurie has done incredible research, spending countless hours to make sure she has the correct historical details. She has woven interesting and well developed characters around real-life characters to tell the story of this crucial time in world history.
I have loved this series so far, definitely 5 stars, and look forward to the final Volume 5, In God Is Our Trust, coming out later this year.
While a lot of the book is set in my own backyard, it also takes us to Canada and England. Laurie has done incredible research, spending countless hours to make sure she has the correct historical details. She has woven interesting and well developed characters around real-life characters to tell the story of this crucial time in world history.
I have loved this series so far, definitely 5 stars, and look forward to the final Volume 5, In God Is Our Trust, coming out later this year.
December 20, 2010
I enjoyed the characters in this book and the relationships between them. Having the list of characters in the front of the book was a thoughtful touch. I enjoyed the recounting of the events during this period of history. I wonder if any slave owners in Maryland actually freed their slaves out of a sense of justice during this time period. I don’t know if that is realistic, but it makes for admirable characters.
I hadn’t read the first 3 books in this series, and now want to go back and read them. This book inspired me to learn more about this period of American history. I hope to tour Fort McHenry this summer.
I hadn’t read the first 3 books in this series, and now want to go back and read them. This book inspired me to learn more about this period of American history. I hope to tour Fort McHenry this summer.
May 12, 2011
Who knew there was so much to the War of 1812? Talk about a forgotten war! Through the pages of this book you come to understand the ramifications in the personal lives of those who suffered through this war that culminated in the burning of Washington DC and the White House with its extensive library. I can see she is paving the way for another volume about the Civil War because of the threads she left untied. I enjoyed this read but I wish it didn't take a year to produce sequels because you forget who did what and why. Wouldn't it be nice if writers would produce all of their series at once and then release them at month intervals. Spoken like a truly untalented uncreative person.
August 10, 2011
I love Laurie's ability to draw me into her characters. This is my favorite so far, culminating all the previous battles of the War of 1812 and the emotional patriotic response that is now sung in, The Star Spangled Banner. I love that I have been to nearly every historical site featured in her books and heard the facts behind each museum but to FEEL the sacrifice and faith of our founding fathers as well as the generation that followed and to understand the pre-cursors to the Civil War has been so rewarding. Love this series! Laurie, I only hope I don't have to wait too long to hear the ending.
February 5, 2011
I have really enjoyed this series and am super excited for the final book to come out! I have learned a lot about our nation's history through reading this book and the best part is that it has a cute love story intertwined into it. I am not a huge fan of the war/violence parts, but it helps me to feel more grateful for the freedoms that we have because of the sacrifices that all of those men and their families made. I would definitely recommend the series!
January 13, 2012
I love this series and this 4th book did not disappoint. After reading the first 3 books I started this book feeling like I really knew the characters and was looking forward to seeing this next phase of their lives. The historical facts were also very interesting, particularly the history and circumstances of the writing of The Star Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key. Such well developed characters and story line, I don't want to wait to get the next book to find out how things unfold..
August 7, 2017
I thought I was fairly knowledgeable about this period in history. I have seen the American flag that flew over Fort McHenry and prompted the writing of our national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner", also read the story that's with it. Nonetheless, I learned a lot from this book that I either didn't know or had forgotten. It was so interesting! Of course, now I want to read the other four books in the series.
August 10, 2012
this volume tells about the American national anthem being composed and the conditions that brought it about.
Merged review:
interesting to learn details of the battle of Baltimore and the composition of the national anthem. author weaves the story from British point of view, American point of view, and freed-slave households and friends.
Merged review:
interesting to learn details of the battle of Baltimore and the composition of the national anthem. author weaves the story from British point of view, American point of view, and freed-slave households and friends.
March 9, 2011
Laurie is an avid historian and weaves an intriguing tale in this fourth volume of her Freemen and Dreamers series. I love the historical details she includes from the tumultuous era of the War of 1812, and the events surrounding the writing of our national anthem by Francis Scott Key.
March 28, 2011
I really liked this 4th book in the series. My favorite part centered around Francis Scott Key, and how the song "The Star Spangled Banner" came to be. I look forward to reading the 5th and last book in the series.
December 7, 2012
I have learned so much about the War of 1812 and the culture of this country by reading this series! I have really enjoyed the reading and have liked this book better than most of the others in the series. I am looking forward to reading the final book!
June 7, 2020
A wonderful novel
I have learned so much about our countries history through this amazing series Free men and Dreamers. I love the way the author has created such an intriguing story to go along with this rich history. Very very well done.
I have learned so much about our countries history through this amazing series Free men and Dreamers. I love the way the author has created such an intriguing story to go along with this rich history. Very very well done.
October 30, 2010
This one was great...as good as the first in the series and now I am anxiously awaiting the 5th!
December 1, 2010
A wonderful story that makes history come alive. The characters are like family now after these 4 volumes. Waiting for the end of the tale.
December 14, 2010
I have enjoyed this series. The author draws you in until you cannot put the book down. I cannot wait for the next book.
January 5, 2011
This book ws just as great as the others! I can't wait until the next one comes out! What a great series!
March 8, 2012
I have thoroughly enjoyed this series. I love how Laurie blends Joseph Smith history with the U.S. history. I'm looking forward to reading the last book.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews