“Faith, Family, and Flag” by Washington University professor Joanna Dee Das explores how Branson, Missouri, became America’s capital for conservative entertainment.

For many people who've grown up in the middle of the Midwest, visiting Branson in the Missouri Ozarks is a family tradition: a time to ride the Fire in the Hole roller coaster at Silver Dollar City, drive the Branson strip to see Christmas lights or spend a weekend at Big Cedar Lodge. In the view of Washington University performing arts professor and author Joanna Dee Das, music, dance, theater and comedy are Branson's original — and underappreciated — main character.

In her new book, "Faith, Family, and Flag: Branson Entertainment and the Idea of America," Das presents a history of Branson that recognizes its importance as a

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