The Empire State: A History of New York [Hardcover]

Milton M. Klein (Editor), Edward Countryman (Contributor), Paula Baker (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2001

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as a successor to A History of New York State, for many years the standard one-volume account of the region but today outdated and long out of print.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.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

"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 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

About the Author

The late Milton M. Klein was Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. His books included most recently The American Whig: William Livingston of New York.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 816 pages
• Publisher: Cornell University Press (November 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801438667
• ISBN-13: 978-0801438660
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.1 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #498,280 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent survey of New York's history, March 17, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Empire State: A History of New York (Hardcover)

This book is a survey of New York history from its prehistorical roots through twentieth century. It may not be terribly exciting compared to a novel, but it is well written and highly informative. One is quick to reccomend it to any one who is interested in American history, and New York state in particular. By far, it is the best, up to date history of the state available. All the better, it is in print. I work for a museum organization and we use it as the basis of our interpretation. It is outstanding for its intended use, which is as a general survey and reference book. Highly recommended, though for a select audience.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Too much NYC, May 31, 2011

By 

Edward L. Moreth - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Empire State: A History of New York (Paperback)

I didn't care for the book. It was too weighted on the political aspects of NY and particularly too much about New York City. There's so much more interesting facts about the state that this author simply overlooked or didn't care to include. I finished reading it, but wished I'd never bought it.

6 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars this book is disappointing, November 2, 2005

By 

Jean Richardson (Buffalo, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Empire State: A History of New York (Paperback)

I found this book a disappointment. It is not a good textbook for a history of NYS college course. It is too detailed. Not well edited-a choppy read from one chapter to the next. And What a surprise that L Ray Gunn was chosen to write the antebellum chapter. He seems unaware of David Gerber's work on Buffalo in the anterbellum period. The entire book is geared to the eastern end of the state.