"No other state has a history that is as complicated, contradictory, and so full of controversies as New York's; on the other hand, few places can claim a past that is so distinctive, dramatic, and significant. Making sense of such a topic is no small task. But Joanne Reitano has managed to do the job. New York State: Peoples, Places, and Priorities fills a gap in the literature, and it should long serve as a valuable resource for a new generation of students-from high school to graduate school-as well as for scholars, public officials, and anyone else with an interest in the state that boasts a history which reflects the American experience better than that of any other."
- Robert Weible, New York State
Historian
"Joanne Reitano offers a wonderfully insightful and accessible narrative on the history of New York State from the colonial period to the present. For students and educators interested in the varied and diverse history of the 'empire state,' this book is a must have."
- David Kinkela, Associate Professor of History, State University of New York at Fredonia
"Professor Reitano has produced a history of the state that, in general, captures the development of New York from pre-colonial times to the present and has done so in a very logical and informative manner. It should become the new dominant text, and hopefully will be widely adopted for use in the New York courses."
- F. Daniel Larkin, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor, History, State University of New York at Oneonta
