State Names, Seals, Flags, and Symbols: A Historical Guide, Revised and Expanded [Hardcover]

Benjamin F. Shearer (Author), Barbara S. Shearer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 30, 2001 | ISBN-10: 0313315345 | ISBN-13: 978-0313315343 | Edition: Rev and Expande

This must-have third revised and newly expanded edition of the only single reference source for information about state symbols features over 300 information updates plus three new chapters, updated license plate illustrations, and a newly formatted design for ease of use. Libraries that hold earlier editions of this work need this edition to keep their information on the states and territories current. With the addition of new chapters on state and territory universities, state and territory governors throughout U.S. history, state professional sports teams, and a complete revision of the chapter on state and territory fairs and festivals, the work now totals 17 chapters of essential information that is a treasure trove for students.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Everything a trivia buff or schoolchild could want to know about state names and officially designated symbols, all in one convenient volume. The last reference source of this type was published in 1938 and since then much has changednot the least of which is the addition of Alaska and Hawaii to the Union. The authors cover state names and nicknames, mottoes, seals, flags, capitols, flowers, trees, birds, songs, and miscellaneous official state designations (e.g., insects, rocks, drinks). School and public libraries will want to buy this book, in spite of its high cost. Anne Washburn, Julius C. Smith Law Lib., Greensboro, N.C.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

The title hardly indicates the full scope of this greatly expanded second edition. New chapters cover legal holidays and observances, automobile license plates, festivals and fairs, and U.S. postage stamps issued in honor of states and territories. Chapters from the 1987 edition on names and nicknames, mottoes, seals, flags, capitols, flowers, and other topics have in many cases been revised or expanded. The result is a book nearly double the length of the first edition (but still shorter than George Shankle's 1951 State Names, Flags, Seals, Songs, Birds, Flowers, and Other Symbols, upon which the first edition was based). U.S. Territories and the District of Columbia are now covered in addition to the 50 states. In most cases, not merely listings, but useful explanations are provided; the 30-page chapter on birds, for instance, provides information on size, range, physical description, and behavior comparable in coverage to that found in the standard field guides.

Other features make this a valuable reference. A 32-page four-color insert has illustrations of all state and territory symbols, seals, flags, flowers, trees, birds, automobile licenses plates, and selected commemorative stamps. The previous edition contained a 20-page color insert showing seals, flags, flowers, trees, and birds. Ample source notes at the end of chapters and a selected bibliography of state and territory histories provide excellent documentation. A detailed index follows.

Upper elementary and secondary school students would probably constitute the greatest audience for this work, but due to the difficulty of finding so much information on these topics in any other single source, public and academic libraries will be interested, too. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 544 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood; Rev and Expande edition (October 30, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313315345
• ISBN-13: 978-0313315343
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 1.2 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,503,968 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Reference book for state names, etc. October 24, 2008

By Deborah A. Wagner

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Great resource for students who are doing state projects. A must have in every upper elementary classroom.

5 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars For looking up anything state-related! March 17, 2002

By Midwest Book Review

Format:Hardcover

Collaborative written by Benjamin and Barbara Shearer, and now available in an updated and expanded third edition, State Names, Seals, Flags, And Symbols: A Historical Guide is a comprehensive, authoritative, superbly presented reference on everything from American state legal holidays, fairs, and festivals to individual state capitols and mottoes. With a full-color section featuring illustrations of every state's seal, flag, flower, tree, bird, commemorative postage stamp and license plate, State Names, Seals, Flags, And Symbols is a first-rate, highly recommended reference for looking up anything state-related!