The Book of America: Inside 50 States Today

by Neal R. Peirce and Jerry Hagstrom

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393016390
• ISBN13: 9780393016390
• Release Date: January 1983
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 910 Pages
• Weight: 3.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.9" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

A Superb State-by-State Tour of America in the 1980's!

Have you ever wanted to travel to all fifty states? Unless you're wealthy (or have a-lot of free time on your hands) this marvelous book will allow you to do so without ever leaving the comfort of your armchair. Inspired by John Gunther's classic 1947 work, "Inside America", this book's two authors personally traveled to all fifty states in the late seventies and early eighties. They traveled throughout each state and visited its' major cities, interviewed as many citizens, political and business leaders as they could, and then produced this book. The result is a unique and insightful look at America in the early 1980's (and much of the information they provide is still relevant today). Yet this book is far more than a simple travelogue or list of facts. The authors cover - and often in surprising detail - virtually every facet of life in all fifty states. The politics, regional differences, history, culture, geography, scenic spots, problems, and more info about every state are discussed. To cite just one example (or state): Have you ever wanted a "bird's eye" tour of New York City and its' boroughs? Then it's all here - the ethnic neighborhoods, the history of each borough, the sports teams, the city's politics, the nightclubs, etc. It's like visiting New York in your living room. Yet in the chapter on New York you'll also get a tour of the city's suburbs on Long Island; the dairy and farming country of the upstate, the majestic "Finger Lakes" region and the Adirondack Mountains in the upstate, and a completely seperate section on the state's "second-tier" cities from Albany to Rochester and Buffalo - all in a single engrossing chapter! You'll learn why New York City almost always votes Democratic, while upstate New York usually votes Republican. The book is rarely boring, as the authors are witty and not afraid to tease: "Texas, that braggart of American states...". One of the author's interesting discoveries is that America's regional differences are still strong and lively, despite the mobility of the American people (for proof of regional differences, just look at the 2000 presidential election)! To be sure, some of their info is now dated, such as when they discuss the phenomenal popularity of the TV show "Dallas" overseas (that, of course, is in the chapter on Texas). But overall this is still a superb, one-of-a-kind look at America that you won't find anywhere else. Highly Recommended!