The Shaping of America: A Geographical Perspective on 500 Years of History: Volume 2: Continental America, 1800-1867 Volume 2

This is a really good book. The maps alone are worth it. Meinig represents the underpublicized geographic view of history, giving a different and needed perspective in American studies. All three of his works in this series are excellent. Following on his earlier work in historical geography, Meinig's position shows how regions, rather than political divisions of "states" contribute to our nation's development, as well as showing how the "state" concept applies. This book,focusing on Western expansion, Civil War, sectionalism, etc. further represents the important geographic influences in development of the "United" States of America. This book should be of interest to any general reader wanting a serious and unique view of socio-historical studies.