Wisconsin: A History

by Robert C. Nesbit, William F. Thompson (Primary Contributor)

Robert Nesbit’s classic single-volume history of Wisconsin was expanded by Wisconsin State Historian William F. Thompson to include the period from 1940 to the late 1980s, along with updated bibliographies and appendices.

First paperback edition.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

652 pages, Paperback

First published June 21, 2004

Reviews

[Paul Lunger · Rating 4 out of 5]

With "Wisconsin: A History", Robert C. Nesbit goes into an in-depth look at the history of the state of Wisconsin & weaves the story of the state's history into an interesting read for anyone who is a native of the state or like myself a non-native who was visiting. The book itself while being a bit on the long side gives anyone who reads it a bigger understanding of just what makes the state what it is as well as describing why the state itself is also important on the national level as well. Granted, the book at nearly 600 pages does have 2 minor disadvantages - the first being the bibliographies at the end of each chapter which can disrupt the flow a bit & the fact that the book hasn't been updated since 1989 which is disappointing for anyone looking to understand the state into the 21st century. Overall, this is a book I still highly recommend for anyone with a love of US history or the state of Wisconsin in general.

[Andy Schantz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book about the history of Wisconsin. Last updated in 1988, it needs another revision in the next 5-10 years or so. Strong start, but the middle-to-end of it is just too politically oriented for my taste. Not that the writing is political in nature, but its focus is just WI politics for what seems like 3/4 of the book. Would’ve loved more of an emphasis on the industries of the state, the growth, the environment, anything, really, other than a focus on the politics of Wisconsin. Good read though if you’re a WI aficionado like myself.