Illinois

Crossroads of the continent, Land of Lincoln, hub of commerce-or, as Charles Dickens viewed it, a landscape "oppressive in its barren monotony"-Illinois boasts a rich and varied past. In this farreaching but compact history, Roger Biles provides a much-needed, up-to-date account of the state's development, from the early native settlements to the present. Focusing on Illinois's demographic changes over time, he sheds light on the key figures who contributed to the state's government, economy, culture, and the arts. While devoting attention to the touchstones of history, Illinois also highlights the achievements of ordinary people, including the women, the African Americans, and the other minorities who-along with the politicians, the captains of industry, and the military heroes-contributed to the state's growth and prosperity.

Roger Biles is Professor of History at Illinois State University.