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Rating: 
Summary: An incredible Tapestry
Review: I became interested in possibly picking up this book when The Nation published a few of the states' essays in their magazine. I remember in particular the published Molly Ivins' passionate, colorful, fun, and first and foremost Texan essay on her home the lone star state. The idea of over fifty of these, one for every state in America, (and more than one for new york and california), struck me as exciting. It reminded me very much Chaucer's Canterbury tales, the seperate stories told by very different people, that while individually enjoyable, seen together are an amazing work of art.This book possibly the most American book I have read in as long as I can remember. It looks into the history, the culture, the land, and most importantly the realities and troubles of each state as told by a writer native to that state. I of course jumped at the beginning to my own home state of Oregon, and was absolutly enthralled in the author's capturing of our state, both its beauty, its spirit, and its troubles. Since then, I have been reading the book slowly cover to cover. I recommend this to any American, of any political affiliation, of any age, who would love read a capturing of country's spirit that in my mind holds the role and beauty of Steinbeck's Travel's With Charlie. Despite sounding like a history read, I promise is not, the poetic passion each author holds for their home makes each chapter a joy to read, the book definitly worth owning.
Rating:
Summary: Seduction of an intellectual snob.
Review: I like this book, like it a lot in fact. With only one or two exceptions the chapters are insightful and sometimes inspiring. It truly offers a tour of modern America, and a wonderfully diverse tour at that - sure the states differ, but so do the wrting styles of the various authors. I bought four copies to give as holiday gifts, and each of the young recipients has been seduced into reading chapter after chapter. Personally, I went first to "Texas" and Molly Ivins, then "New Mexico" with Tony Hillerman, "Wisconsin" childhood home of my father, "Upstate NY" my childhood home, etc. etc. Lots of reasons to seek out various chapters.
Rating:
Summary: Seduction of an intellectual snob.
Review: I like this book, like it a lot in fact. With only one or two exceptions the chapters are insightful and sometimes inspiring. It truly offers a tour of modern America, and a wonderfully diverse tour at that - sure the states differ, but so do the wrting styles of the various authors. I bought four copies to give as holiday gifts, and each of the young recipients has been seduced into reading chapter after chapter. Personally, I went first to "Texas" and Molly Ivins, then "New Mexico" with Tony Hillerman, "Wisconsin" childhood home of my father, "Upstate NY" my childhood home, etc. etc. Lots of reasons to seek out various chapters.
Rating:
Summary: Redemption Songs -- an absolute treature!
Review: I'm astonished by the range of this book and how over 50 disparate writers, who can't have known what the other writers were writing about, have created an incredible montage of contemporary America, an America from below, beyond the talk show trash and the garbage from teh White HOuse. I found the whole experience quite redemptive and inspiring; these great literary minds have forged a classic piece of Americana that deserves to be treasured for generations...
Rating: 
Summary: quality writing all through
Review: If you want to read about what is the pulse of things in all fifty states in 2003, this book is great...fifty writers, each based in the state they write about share a piece about their state...it is agreat read and a very good idea. I read with great enthusiasm the stories about the states I wanted to learn more about.
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