Mark Stein

press release: New York Times bestselling author Mark Stein is in town for the Wisconsin Book Festival, and he stops by the library to discuss his bestselling history book, How the States Got Their Shapes, the basis for the History Channel show of the same name.

"America's first century was defined by expansion and the negotiation of territories among areas colonized by the French and Spanish, or occupied by natives. Border stories shine a spotlight on many aspects of American history: the 49th parallel was chosen for the northern borders of Minnesota, North Dakota, and Montana because they ensured England's access to the Great Lakes, vital to their fur trade; in 1846, Washington D.C. residents south of the Potomac successfully petitioned to rejoin Virginia (called both "retrocession" and "a crime") in order to keep out free African-Americans. Aside from tales of violent conquest and political glad-handing, there's early, breathtaking tales of American politicos' favorite sport, gerrymandering (in 1864, Idaho judge Sidney Edgerton single-handedly "derailed" Idaho's proposed boundary, to Montana's benefit, with $2,000 in gold). American history enthusiasts should be captivated by this fun, informative text."  - Publisher's Weekly

Copies of Mark's books will be available for purchase at the event courtesy of A Room of One's Own bookstore, and the evening will conclude with a book signing.

Registration is appreciated for this event:  Online here or by email at info@midlibrary.org.

Funding for this event is provided by the Friends of the Middleton Public Library and a grant from the Beyond the Page endowment.