The Not-Quite States of America: Dispatches from the Territories and Other Far-Flung Outposts of the USA
$3.50
Description
Book Synopsis: "To truly understand the United States, one must understand the 'not-quite states of America." ―Mark Stein, best-selling author of How the States Got Their Shapes
Everyone knows that America is 50 states and…some other stuff. Scattered shards in the Pacific and the Caribbean, the not-quite states―American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands―and their 4 million people are often forgotten, even by most Americans. But they’re filled with American flags, U.S. post offices, and Little League baseball games. How did these territories come to be part of the United States? What are they like? And why aren’t they states?
When Doug Mack realized just how little he knew about the territories, he set off on a globe-hopping quest covering more than 30,000 miles to see them all. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, Mack examines the Founding Fathers’ arguments over expansion. He explores Polynesia’s outsize influence on American culture, from tiki bars to tattoos, in American Samoa. He tours Guam with members of a military veterans’ motorcycle club, who offer personal stories about the territory’s role in World War II and its present-day importance for the American military. In the Northern Mariana Islands, he learns about star-guided seafaring from one of the ancient tradition’s last practitioners. And everywhere he goes in Puerto Rico, he listens in on the lively debate over political status―independence, statehood, or the status quo.
The Not-Quite States of America is an entertaining account of the territories’ place in the USA, and it raises fascinating questions about the nature of empire. As Mack shows, the territories aren’t mere footnotes to American history; they are a crucial part of the story.
Details
Discover the hidden treasures of America beyond its 50 states with "The Not-Quite States of America: Dispatches from the Territories and Other Far-Flung Outposts of the USA." This captivating book takes you on a whirlwind adventure through American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, revealing their untold stories and captivating traditions.
Did you know that these territories have their own American flags, U.S. post offices, and vibrant Little League baseball games? Join author Doug Mack on an epic 30,000-mile journey as he unveils the historical origins and cultural significance of these not-quite states. Step into the shoes of the Founding Fathers in the U.S. Virgin Islands and understand their arguments over expansion. Explore the rich Polynesian influence on American culture in American Samoa, where traditions like tiki bars and tattoos thrive.
Astonishing tales await you as you delve into the intricate history of Guam, a territory with deep connections to World War II and a modern-day strategic importance for the American military. In the Northern Mariana Islands, discover the ancient tradition of star-guided seafaring from one of the last remaining practitioners. And in Puerto Rico, immerse yourself in the lively debate over its political status, be it independence, statehood, or maintaining the status quo.
The Not-Quite States of America is more than just a book; it is a thought-provoking exploration of empire and what it truly means to be American. Crammed with fascinating facts and personal anecdotes, this captivating account will reshape your understanding of the United States. Don't miss out on this remarkable journey through the territories; order your copy today!
Order your copy of "The Not-Quite States of America" now and embark on an eye-opening adventure through the forgotten territories of America!
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