The Empire State: A History of New York - Softcover

"This book is an absolutely stunning achievement in terms of research, coverage, depth of analysis, and the clarity of its writing. It replaces all the other single volume studies of the Empire State. I congratulate Milton Klein on this notable feat." -- Robert V. Remini, Professor Emeritus of History at the University at Illinois at Chicago "Klein masterfully connects the contributions of his six writers with two techniques: first, all seven parts of the book connect local and state developments with larger national and international trends while noting cause and effect; second, all writers integrate political, economic, and social history and likewise pay close attention to the diversity of viewpoints attendant in each. The result is a staggering compendium of the major debates and narratives in New York State history to date.... Milton Klein's accomplishments in editing such a well-synthesized, comprehensive, rich narrative of New York State's history are indeed something to be applauded. Undoubtedly this compilation will become a standard reference for many scholars and teachers." -- Nancy Kwak, New York History Net "It feels like everything has changed in this state since September 11. Although I have great hope for our future, there are moments when I wonder how we will ever recover.... I found some answers and much comfort in an unexpected place-The Empire State: A History of New York,... It does the seemingly impossible, covering a time period that spans almost 400 years... I never thought I would say this about an 800-page history book, but it was difficult to put down. The stories are astounding, the language accessible, at times even lyrical." -- Patti Croop, Saratoga Business Journal, March 2002, Vol. 7, No. 1 "Distinguished scholar Klein was asked to edit this new one-volume history, a significant scholarly work written by an impressive group of specialists.... The resulting up-to-date and balanced study surveys urban, rural, and suburban life. Readable, well informed, and well illustrated,... this is the best one-volume history of the Empire State. For all collections with an interest in the history of New York." -- Choice, Vol. 39, No.10, June 2002 "A rich resource and a reliable guide. Milton Klein and six knowledgeable authors turn the confusions and complexities of New York history into a clear political narrative -from the Native American culture that was dislodged but never erased by European intruders to Hillary Rodham Clinton's election to the U.S. Senate in our own time." -- Linda K. Kerber, author of No Constitutional Right to be Ladies: Women and the Obligations of Citizenship "This work concisely chronicles the sweep of events and the many achievements of the diverse people who make up both city and state.... An excellent introduction to the politics and panorama of one of the nation's most influential states." * College and Research Library News * "This is a handsomely illustrated general history of New York State from the early 17th century through the mid-1990's." * Virginia Quarterly Review *

New York now has a new, comprehensive history book that chronicles the state through centuries of change. A richly illustrated volume, The Empire State begins in the early seventeenth century (when the region was still populated solely by Native Americans) and concludes in the mid-1990s, by which time people from all over the world had made the state their home. Throughout the book, politics, economics, culture, and social history all are emphasized, as are the important contributions made by ethnic groups and women. The Empire State serves as a successor to A History of New York State, for many years the standard one-volume account of the region but today outdated and long out of print. Now students, scholars, and history enthusiasts will find thorough and fascinating coverage in The Empire State. The authors-distinguished authorities on New York State-draw on current research and perspectives as they address such topics as * the Dutch colonization of the region, * the English province, * the Revolution, * antebellum society, * the abolition of slavery and the Civil War, * the New York City media, * New York's vibrant political culture, * labor and leisure * women's suffrage * immigration and migration, * the World Wars, and * the state's economic development. Readers from the Big Apple to Buffalo and beyond will find The Empire State, which provides equal coverage to "upstate" and "downstate" events and people, satisfying and informative reading.