How the states got their shapes book

How the states got their shapes audiobook by mark stein. This is the first book to tackle why our state lines. Mark stein examined the many people who shaped state boundaries. Mark stein 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. Each border is covered twice, since each state is a chapter. How the states got their shapes how the states got their shapes audiobook, by mark stein.

While steins writing is succinct and workmanlike, its rarely vibrant. The surprising history hidden in the blue, squiggly lines on the map. Apr 10, 2012 all this and more is explained in mark steins new book. The author used the librarys geography and map division and other library resources in his research. Mark stein is the author of how the states got their shapes, a new york times bestseller that became the basis of the history channel series of the same name, in which stein frequently appears. Jul 15, 2008 how the states got their shapes is the first book to explain why state lines are where they are. Told in mark steins humorous voice, how the states got their shapes too is a historical journey unlike any other youve taken. How the states got their shapes mark stein hardcover. I knew it was named for the river, but i wanted to know who got to decide how that word would apply to this square on the map. How the states got their shapes is an interesting idea for a book and it provides the answers to some really good questions, but the execution isnt all that it could be. He is also the author of how the states got their shapes too. The book starts with an introduction and explains in general why the map of the us looks the way it does today and why there are several states with an equal height in degrees latitude and width in longtitude. The show deals with how the various states of the united states established their borders but also delves into other aspects of history, including failed states, proposed new states, and the local culture and character of various us states. In a light, accessible style, mark stein unpacks the mysteries state by state, line by line.

All this and more is explained in mark steins new book. It is hosted by brian unger and is based on mark steins book, how the states got their shapes. The person who has probably researched this topic more than any other is mark stein, author of the book how the states got their shapes. How the states got their shapes is a us television series that aired on the history channel. It thus tackles the shapes of the states in a metaphorical sense as. How the states got their shapes book by mark stein thriftbooks. There are 50 states in the united states, and that means there are about 50 unique stories that explain how each state got its shape. Ive mentioned it all over the place on ctmq and i make no secret of it. How the states got their shapes by mark stein, paperback. Mark stein talked about his book how states got their shapes smithsonian bookscollins, which explains how american states borders were drawn and why they have their current shapes. Brian unger hits the road to uncover the history hidden in the lines and contours that make up the u. Anecdotal in nature, the guide reveals the moments in american history that put the giant jigsaw puzzle of the nation together. His previous book, how the states got their shapes, a new york times bestseller, was the basis for the history channels documentary.

But every edge of the familiar wooden jigsaw pieces of our childhood. Find books like how the states got their shapes from the worlds largest community of readers. How the states got their shapes tv series 20112012 imdb. Mark stein owes much to the library of congress for the completion of his recent book, how the states got their shapes. As of september 8, 20, brian unger hosted an segment titled game day satisfaction. Or how are flying fish threatening to redraw the lines of illinois. Unger hosted a documentary special on the history channel titled how the states got their shapes. All the northsouth boundaries are a few miles west of the nearest whole degree meridian. Every line on the map of america is a surprising clue that reveals how the colonies became the 50 states and. But i am bad enough that i asked for this book for christmas and read it in short order. It is hosted by brian unger and is based on mark steins book, how. How the states got their shapes paperback april 7, 2009. The title of this book is how the states got their shapes too and it was written by mark stein.

The strangers you meet here had more on their minds than simple state lines, and this book makes for a great new way of seeing and understanding the united states. The show deals with how the various states of the united states established their borders but also delves into other aspects of history, including failed. His previous book, how the states got their shapes, a new york times bestseller, was the. But the rest of the book, actually all of it, is a shallow rehashing of the same events. In 2011, the network expanded the special into a weekly series, which unger hosts.

Mark stein, how the states got their shapes smithsonian books, 2008 a lovely little book, this, which after a brief introduction dives straight into its topic. But 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 book douglas county. But i am bad enough that i asked for this book for christmas and read it. It is written in a pleasant style without loosing the readers interest. The map of the united states is so familiar that its state borders seem as much a part of nature as mountains and rivers, stein says. How the states got their shapes kindle edition by stein, mark. Here are the stories behind the stories, right down to the tiny northward jog at the eastern end of tennessee and the teenytiny and little known parts of delaware that are not attached to delaware but to new jersey. The authors profiles ranged from brigham youngs influence in utah, nevada, and arizona to jeremiah dixon and charles mason, the. How the states got their shapes is the first book to explain why state lines are where they are. How the states got their shapes audiobook listen instantly. Recorded books how the states got their shapes too. Follows correspondent brian unger as he crisscrosses the country reporting on the tales behind the boundaries. Stein lives in washington, dc, where he has taught at the catholic university of america.

Im not alone mind you, and im not the most afflicted trust me. How the states got their shapes available in history vault. How the states got their shapes library of congress. 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. Its tough to summarize all of this information in just a few pages for each state, but the never ending treaties and colonial charters quickly. Here are the stories behind the stories, right down to the tiny. How the founding fathers might have made a mistake along the georgia tennessee border. From the crooked borders in the east to the organized boxes in the west, the shapes of the states are more than simple geography. True stories of texlahoma, transylvania, and other states that never made it, i also heartily recommend how the states got their shapes by mark stein. The show deals with how the various states of the united states established their borders, but also delves into other aspects of u. How the states got their shapes by mark stein goodreads. How the states got their shapes by stein, mark ebook. And he is one of the few members of the public who has been able to take home library books.

The institutions collections were central to his research. Why are some states boringly square, and others, like texas and california, truly. I looked all over for a book that would give that kind of information for all of the states, but there wasnt one. How the states got their shapes by mark stein, paperback barnes. How the states got their shapes too king county library. This wonderful little book helps explain why the states have the shape they do. According to stein, four of the biggest influences that dictated the shapes of the states were the american revolution, the construction of railroads, the 1808 proposal for the erie canal, and the political controversies over the issue of slavery. How the states got their shapes fairfax county public. Theres an interesting oddity about those regular boundaries in the west. In addition, how the states got their shapes too tells of individuals involved in the almost states of america, places we sought to include but ultimately did not. How did rocky mountain rogues help create the state of colorado. Canada, the rest of mexico we did get half, cuba, and, still an issue, puerto rico. How the states got their shapes free pdf, djvu, epub, txt. His plays have been performed offbroadway and at theaters throughout the country.

The reason is that when those territories were defined, there was no global standar. Why west virginia has a finger creeping up the side of pennsylvania why michigan has an upper peninsula that isnt attached to michigan why some hawaiian. Buy a cheap copy of how the states got their shapes book by mark stein. It was published by smithsonian books and has a total of 352 pages in the book. It is hosted by brian unger and is based on mark stein s book, how the states got their shapes. As of 2014, unger cohosts showdown of the unbeatables. Goodreads members who liked how the states got their shape. In how the states got their shapes, brian unger hits the road to uncover the history hidden in our map. I never thought a book on geography could be funny, but mark stein has pulled. How the states got their shapes is the first book to explain. Here are the stories behind the stories, right down to the tiny northward jog at the eastern end of tennessee and the teenytiny and little known parts of delaware that are. Find all the books, read about the author, and more.

Why does montana look like it took a bite out of idaho. It details the crazy journeys our wonderful 50 states took in order to endup in the shapes that we know and love today. Sep 18, 2015 how the states got their shapes is the first book to tackle why our state lines are where they are. How the states got their shapes book chicago public. May 27, 2008 how the states got their shapes is the first book to tackle why our state lines are where they are. Jan 08, 2009 the map of the united states is so familiar that its state borders seem as much a part of nature as mountains and rivers, stein says. How the states got their shapes full episodes, video.