How the States Got Their Shapes

Description

Author: Stein, Mark\

Publisher: MJF Books

Pub Date: 2008 (Third printing)

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Book: Good.  Binding tight.  No marks, tears, bends or folds.  I think a previous owner read all the way to Iowa, marked their progress with a bookmark, and never came back to the book.  There’s the slightest indication of a bookmark at Iowa.  Light edge and corner wear.  Dust Jacket: Fair.  NOT price clipped.  No price indicated on front flap corner, though a price is shown embedded above ISBN bar code on rear cover.  Some light edge and corner wear.  There’s no blindstamp on the rear board but I think this may be a Book Club edition (no statement as such).

Notes: Fun read.  Mostly states got their shapes according to the courses of rivers, but also surveying along latitudes and longitudes, purchases (the Gadsden Purchase, Alaska, e.g.), war (Texas, the Mexican War of 1846-48), politics (think slavery), natural resources (commercial values–gold, guano), and physical barriers (mountains, oceans).  Geography as entertainment.