"New York now has a new, comprehensive history book that chronicles the state through centuries of change. An illustrated volume, The Empire State begins in the early seventeenth century (when the region was still populated solely by Native Americans) and concludes at the year 2000, by which time people from all over the world had made the state their home. Throughout the book, politics, economics, culture, and social history all are emphasized, as are contributions made by ethnic groups and women.".

"The Empire State serves as a successor to A History of New York State, for many years the standard one-volume account of the region but today outdated and long out of print. Now students, scholars, and history enthusiasts will find thorough and fascinating coverage in The Empire State."--BOOK JACKET.