Why does Oklahoma have that panhandle? Did someone make a mistake?
We are so familiar with the map of the United States that our state borders seem as much a part of nature as mountains and rivers. Even the oddities—the entire state of Maryland(!)—have become so engrained that our map might as well be a giant jigsaw puzzle designed by Divine Providence. But that's where the real mystery begins. Every edge of the familiar wooden jigsaw pieces of our childhood represents a revealing moment of history and of, well, humans drawing lines in the sand.
How the States Got Their Shapes is the first book to tackle why our state lines are where they are. Here are the stories behind the stories, right down to the tiny northward jog at the eastern end of Tennessee and the teeny-tiny (and little known) parts of Delaware that are not attached to Delaware but to New Jersey.
How the States Got Their Shapes examines:
Why West Virginia has a finger creeping up the side of Pennsylvania
Why Michigan has an upper peninsula that isn't attached to Michigan
Why some Hawaiian islands are not Hawaii
Why Texas and California are so outsized, especially when so many Midwestern states are nearly identical in size
Packed with fun oddities and trivia, this entertaining guide also reveals the major fault lines of American history, from ideological intrigues and religious intolerance to major territorial acquisitions. Adding the fresh lens of local geographic disputes, military skirmishes, and land grabs, Mark Stein shows how the seemingly haphazard puzzle pieces of our nation fit together perfectly.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Thanks Mark Stein!
It has always been a mystery to me how states wound up with the boundaries that they currently have. Of particular interest was my home state of Arkansas with the notch at the top and bottom corner along ... Read More
Rating: - How the States Got Thier Shapes is a must read
This is a book that should be read by everyone. It is not only fascinating with the twists and turns of events that shaped each state, but teaches so much about our history as a growing nation. For me it is ... Read More
Rating: - Fun and enlightening!
I'm a geographer and cartographer and I endorse this book! My only quibble is that I wish there were more footnotes/bibliography, but what the heck--this book is pure fun!!
Rating: - A must read for US History and Geography students
How the States Got Their Shapes
It would be easy if oceans and rivers formed all of the boundaries. But they don't, and author Stein provides a captivating and inciteful look into the physical ... Read More
Rating: - Very interesting book
I haven't had a chance to read much of the book I ordered but it appears to be very informative and interesting. It will be the type of book I will use for reference for years to come. The book was in perfect ... Read More
- Thanks Mark Stein!