"A story of the peopling of North America that is different, original, coherent, and altogether fascinating. It will be controversial but will be seen as a landmark in American historiography. . . . A magisterial work."

--Howard R. Lamar, Yale University

"When I studied Texas seriously, I found D.W. Meinig's short, perceptive book, Imperial Texas, to be an excellent summary of things I vaguely knew, and a treasure of insights that I had not reached myself. Now he's tackling the whole country, and I expect equally fine results for his whole new series on America."

--James Michener

"A major scholarly work . . . researched in depth. . . . In this first volume, Meinig carries his thoughtful history to the close of the 18th century, when England's triumph in the centuries-long struggle was answered by the claim to maturity of 13 federated colonies or "regional societies"in a boldly proclaimed Declaration of Independence. A fresh look at history."

--Publishers Weekly

"Employ[s] a geographer's perspective to explore 'social and cultural patterns.' In doing this, Meinig ably proves that geography has been seriously 'undervalued' in the study of America's development. Especially noteworthy is Meinig's major theme that America has been 'created by massive aggression against a long succession of peoples.' . . . Very highly recommended for academic and large public libraries."

--Library Journal

Yale University Press Web Site, April, 2000

This entirely fresh interpretation of American history by a renowned historical geographer is the first in a projected three-volume series. Meinig here focuses on colonial America,examining how an immense diversity of ethnic and religious groups--Europeans, Africans, American Indians--ultimately created a set of distinct regional societies. Richly illustrated with more than forty specially prepared maps and contemporary illustrations, this volume prompts us to rethink the settling of North America.