An Astounding Atlas of Altered States: The Real Stories of States That Never Came to Be

by Michael Trinklein

An Astounding Atlas of Altered States is a tribute to such great unrealized dreams of states that came remarkably close to joining the union while others never had a chance.

Everyone knows the fifty United States--but what about the hundreds of other statehood proposals that never came to pass? An Astounding Atlas of Altered States is a tribute to such great unrealized dreams as West Florida, Hazard , Montezuma, Rough and Ready, and Yazoo. Some of these states came remarkably close to joining the union while others never had a chance. Are you living in an area that fancied itself a completely different state ? Consider some of the following states that just didn't make the cut. Frontier legend Daniel Boone once proposed a state of Transylvania in the Appalachian wilderness (his plan was resurrected a few years later with the new name of Kentucky). Residents of Bucolic South Jersey wanted to secede from their urban north Jersey neighbors and form the fifty-first state. The Gold Rush Territory of Nataqua could have made a fine state-but since no women were willing to live there , settlers gave up and joined California. Each story offers a fascinating glimpse at the nation The United States might have become--along with plenty of absurd characters , bureaucratic red tape , and political gamesmanship . Accompanying these tales are beautifully rendered maps detailing the proposed state boundaries, plus images of real life artifacts and ephemera . Enjoy exploring this astounding atlas of lost, abandoned, and altered states.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

160 pages, Hardcover

Published March 1, 2017

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Humorous book of the history of over 70 schemes to form new states of the United States (as of 2010), ranging from the far-fetched to the very far-fetched. Includes current U.S. Territories, parts of current states that have proposed to split off, & other countries whole or in part that the U.S. never (or hasn't yet) conquered. Also includes unrealized British colonial schemes from before independence & alternative state shapes from after independence. The humor is a little dated, but inoffensively so. The maps are great!

[Wayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 23 of 2023: An Astounding Atlas of Altered States: The Real Stories of the States That Never Came to Be by Michael J. Trinklein (2010, Chartwell Books, 160 p.)

This is an atlas, with accompanying explanatory text, of failed proposed states, territories, and sovereign nations within the geographical and political sphere of the United States. I knew of only one of these states (Jefferson) from my travels in the West.

It was an interesting and enjoyable read. And who doesn't love looking at maps?

This volume was loaned to me by my bestie Dan Bjugstad, a fellow avid reader, traveler, history buff, and partner in crime.

[Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids · Rating 3 out of 5]

I absolutely love history, and this book was one intriguing read. There were times I wondered if what I was reading was really true. There are some pretty outlandish things in here. The maps, and pictures featured through out the book, added a lot to each page. I can definitely say, I learned some rather interesting things after reading this book.

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good collection of interesting stories concerning the historical quirks of our country's expansion (and sometime tension). Quick read, with plenty of maps. Recommended for lovers of history and American politics.

[Agi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not sure how accurate this book is, but it was definitely interesting and I learned a lot, and to tell the truth, there were some pretty good state proposals. I loved the maps, as well.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite enjoyable and funny too. Great maps.

[Daren Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun stories and I especially enjoyed the maps.

[Dennis Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very amusing collection of stories about states that might have become parts of the US. Some were familiar to me but most were not. Recommended for historians and map lovers.

[Amy Akey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting read. I enjoyed the book. I never heard of these stories of the states before reading this book. It made me think about how our country's map would have looked If these states existed and how history would have changed.