The author was a geographer for the United States Geological Survey. He was motivated to publish this alphabetical compilation of the origins of approximately 10,000 place names because it embodies so much local and general history. Even if you do not need this book for specific research, however, it is fun for browsing and would make a great gift for trivia buffs. (1910, 1996), 2015, 51/2x81/2, paper, alphabetical, 280 pp.