How the States Got Their Shapes
by: Mark Stein
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Product Description:
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:
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.
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.
Alternate Versions:
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- interesting tidbits of info
This book had some interesting facts and information on how states were formed but I think it could have been better organized if it had gone state border to state border rather than alphabetically.Some information then could have been better explained and not repeated and told to see another state's entry.Overall good read.
Rating: 
- State Shapes
This Book, How the States Got Their Shapes, answered all the questions I have had, over the years, on how the States got their shapes.It was great to be able to find all the information in one place, "BOOK", thanks to Mark Stein. I have about finished reading it and it has been a ever so interesting experiance. From the King of England through the Jackson Purchase, by way of the Gasden Purchase and the Toledo War, it has been so interesting and educational. For any one interested in the shape of ... Read More
Rating: - How the States Got Their Shape
I saw this book reviewed on the book channel. The author was very interesting and based on this I purchased this book for my husband who is a Professional Licensed Land Surveyor.
Rating: - Trivia
Just as interesting as it seemed, when reviewed on tv during an interview with the author.For those whole get pleasure out of the little details of history.
Rating: 
- Poorly Organized and Inaccurate
I was prepared to enjoy this book, but it was a disappointment. Others have commented on the poor organization and lack of compelling personal stories. It is discouraging to find blatant errors in states I know something about, so I wonder about the validity of the rest of the book. For example, he states that the western US-Canadian border was set to insure that the British kept control of the important port of Vancouver, BC. The city of Vancouver was founded about fifty years later after completion ... Read More
- interesting tidbits of infoThis book had some interesting facts and information on how states were formed but I think it could have been better organized if it had gone state border to state border rather than alphabetically.Some information then could have been better explained and not repeated and told to see another state's entry.Overall good read.
- State ShapesThis Book, How the States Got Their Shapes, answered all the questions I have had, over the years, on how the States got their shapes.It was great to be able to find all the information in one place, "BOOK", thanks to Mark Stein. I have about finished reading it and it has been a ever so interesting experiance. From the King of England through the Jackson Purchase, by way of the Gasden Purchase and the Toledo War, it has been so interesting and educational. For any one interested in the shape of ... Read More
- How the States Got Their ShapeI saw this book reviewed on the book channel. The author was very interesting and based on this I purchased this book for my husband who is a Professional Licensed Land Surveyor.
- TriviaJust as interesting as it seemed, when reviewed on tv during an interview with the author.For those whole get pleasure out of the little details of history.
- Poorly Organized and InaccurateI was prepared to enjoy this book, but it was a disappointment. Others have commented on the poor organization and lack of compelling personal stories. It is discouraging to find blatant errors in states I know something about, so I wonder about the validity of the rest of the book. For example, he states that the western US-Canadian border was set to insure that the British kept control of the important port of Vancouver, BC. The city of Vancouver was founded about fifty years later after completion ... Read More
