History of North Dakota

Elwyn Robinson's sweeping HISTORY OF NORTH DAKOTA has become one of America's classic state histories. It has been reviewed as "astonishingly comprehensive" and "fascinating." One of the state's great professors and historians takes into account not only politics, but sociology, economics, ethnology, theology, nature studies, and geography to describe North Dakota to the world and to itself.

Geography, in particular, formed the basis of Robinson's historical interpretation. His "too-much mistake," the belief that North Dakota built too much, too fast, in an isolated area buffeted by a difficult climate, has become the guiding principle for a quarter century of historical debate on Dakota plains history.

Long out of print, Robinson's 1966 work has now been reissued by the North Dakota Institute for Regional Studies at North Dakota State University, Fargo. Included are a new preface by UND history professor D. Jerome Tweton, and a new postscript by NDSU history professor David B. Danbom. Both recognized experts on plains history, Professor Tweton examines the themes and the time of Robinson, while Professor Danbom brings the state's history from the mid-1960s to the present. Also new in this edition are 41 photos and illustrations.