There are 2 books in the How the States Got Their Shapes series. The newest book is The People Behind the Borderlines which came out in 2012.

1
How the States Got Their Shapes

Book cover of How the States Got Their Shapes

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…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

2
The People Behind the Borderlines

Book cover of The People Behind the Borderlines
Was Roger Williams too pure for the Puritans, and what does that have to do with Rhode Island?  Why did Augustine Herman take ten years to complete the map that established Delaware?  How did Rocky Mountain rogues help create the state of Colorado?  All this and more is explained in…