This remarkable book tells the painstakingly researched and documented story of the Great Seal of the United States. Beginning with the first committee on the subject in 1776 and carrying through to the latest revisions and controversies concerning the design, this volume chronicles the surprisingly complex history of the Great Seal, illuminating its many little-known intertwinings with great Americans and great events. Incorporating 92 illustrations, The Eagle and the Shield makes a wonderful gift for any historian, folklorist, or collector of Americana.