How the States Got Their Shapes Quotes

“In reality, France's American territory extended to the west as far as a Frenchman could go without getting shot by a Spaniard, and likewise to the north without getting shot by an Englishman.”
― Mark Stein, How the States Got Their Shapes

“The origin of Georgia's southern border is simpler than that of it's northern border. And bloodier”
― Mark Stein, How the States Got Their Shapes

“Its royal charter, issued by King James I in 1620, granted it all the land between 40 ° and 48 ° N latitude, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. If these were still its borders, the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, Toronto Blue Jays, and Seattle Mariners would all be playing for Plymouth.”
― Mark Stein, How the States Got Their Shapes

“Rhode Island is the only state in the union founded expressly for religious freedom. It was the first American colony to celebrate, rather than tolerate, the differences among us. In this respect, the fact that Rhode Island is also the smallest state in the union gives one pause.”
― Mark Stein, How the States Got Their Shapes