How the States Got Their Shapes
How the States Got Their Shapes by Mark Stein, published by Harper Collins on May 27, 2008, is a comprehensive exploration of the historical and geographical factors that shaped the borders of the United States. This 352-page book delves into the intriguing stories behind state lines, revealing how human decisions and historical events influenced the familiar map we know today. From the peculiarities of Oklahoma’s panhandle to the unique configurations of states like Maryland and West Virginia, Stein presents a detailed examination of the forces that have defined American geography.
Readers will find an engaging narrative that uncovers the reasons behind various state borders, including the oddities of Michigan’s upper peninsula and the complexities of Hawaiian islands. The book also addresses broader themes in American history, such as territorial acquisitions and ideological disputes, providing context to the seemingly arbitrary lines on a map. With a focus on the interplay between geography and history, How the States Got Their Shapes offers a fresh perspective on the development of the United States, making it a thought-provoking read for those interested in history and geography.
Official synopsis Publisher
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.
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