Minnesota (From Sea to Shining Sea)

Rating:
Summary: A good place for students to learn about the Gopher State
Review: This look at Minnesota for the "From Sea to Shining Sea" series provides a solid look at the Gopher State, whether you are a native or are doing research from some other part of the country. For example, apparently the name the "Gopher State" came from a 1859 cartoon. Dennis Brindell Fradin and Judith Bloom Fradin cover the geography of The Land of 10,000 Lakes, the state's history From Ancient Times Until Today, and Minnesotans and Their Work. The title spread for section offering A Trip Through the Gopher State has a photograph of downtown Duluth and the aerial lift bridge (but you cannot see where I work because a building is in the way), and the chapter looks at the Twin Cities and other main areas of the state. A Gallery of Famous Minnesotans gives Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas a full-page color portrait and covers over two-dozen famous people from Hubert Humphrey and Sinclair Lewis to Charles Schulz and Bob Dylan. The back of the book has a Did You Know? section of interesting facts, two pages of standard information about the state, a time-line, and a map. The history chapter is especially good, reflecting not only the various stages of the state's economy but its rather unique political heritage, especially since World War II. The look at famous citizens actually provides some concise biographical information, rather than just listing accomplishments. Students doing reports on Minnesota for school will certainly find all of the basic information they might be required to find from this volume. The volume is illustrated with color photographs as well as reproductions of historic illustrations and paintings.

Rating:
Summary: A good place for students to learn about the Gopher State
Review: This look at Minnesota for the "From Sea to Shining Sea" series provides a solid look at the Gopher State, whether you are a native or are doing research from some other part of the country. For example, apparently the name the "Gopher State" came from a 1859 cartoon. Dennis Brindell Fradin and Judith Bloom Fradin cover the geography of The Land of 10,000 Lakes, the state's history From Ancient Times Until Today, and Minnesotans and Their Work. The title spread for section offering A Trip Through the Gopher State has a photograph of downtown Duluth and the aerial lift bridge (but you cannot see where I work because a building is in the way), and the chapter looks at the Twin Cities and other main areas of the state. A Gallery of Famous Minnesotans gives Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas a full-page color portrait and covers over two-dozen famous people from Hubert Humphrey and Sinclair Lewis to Charles Schulz and Bob Dylan. The back of the book has a Did You Know? section of interesting facts, two pages of standard information about the state, a time-line, and a map. The history chapter is especially good, reflecting not only the various stages of the state's economy but its rather unique political heritage, especially since World War II. The look at famous citizens actually provides some concise biographical information, rather than just listing accomplishments. Students doing reports on Minnesota for school will certainly find all of the basic information they might be required to find from this volume. The volume is illustrated with color photographs as well as reproductions of historic illustrations and paintings.