Book Review:
Lost States - True Stories of Texlahoma, Translyvania, and Other States That Never Made It
 |
| Phew. There we have it. The whole title. |
I
had this book on hold at my library, but I forgot about it. Not that it’s a
forgetful book necessarily. Actually the topic makes sure of that at least for
this reader.
In
his book, author Michael J. Trinklein focuses on the “lost” states from U.S.
state-making history. You know ‘cause
there’s a history for just about everything.
Tis
book is published by Quirk Books. Why, you ask, am I telling you this? Because this company is known for publishing
funny, or at the least, quirky books. (Makes sense right?)
And
Lost States is both funny and quirky.
At the best it is an entertaining short way to pass time one boring
afternoon. It details the stories behind
proposed states that might have been part of the U.S. with a few personal suppositions
from the author added to this list. (I mean Albania as a state? Really?)
As
far as historical accuracy goes, I have no way to vouch for any of the tales of
the would-be states. It didn’t bother me
at all, but my dad read the book and he hated it because he saw no references
to any of the claims Trinklein made.
Also
the author’s tone is light-hearted, as if he were sitting across from his reaer
and telling these tales over a late dinner.
So there’s the forewarning. Don’t go in expecting a more serious tone à la
your history textbook.
He
only problem I had was a few of the suppositions from the author’s part. I
think the chapters on Albania and Wales/Scotland/England were unnecessary
additions. These felt more like
hypotheses by Trinklein—especially with in the case of Albania—than legitimate
statehood claims.
My verdict:
✮✮✮✮
(4 stars)
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