Winner of the Illinois State Historical Society’s Russell P. Strange Memorial Book of the Year Award:
“An extraordinary scholarly achievement. The author clearly demonstrates a mastery of primary sources as well as secondary ones. In telling the story of Illinois’s path to statehood, Edstrom thoroughly explores the issues and personalities at play. The focus on his three main figures—Cook, Pope, and Kane—illuminate not only the times in which they lived but provide background on their personal histories, motivations, goals, successes, and failures. The book’s significance for state history cannot be overstated.”
Avenues of Transformation: Illinois’s Path from Territory to State by James A. Edstrom is available through Southern Illinois University Press, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.
Media Appearances
The 21st Show: Book explores Illinois’ journey to statehood (WILL-November 8, 2022)
Inside The Blanket Fort – Episode 107 (WSIU-November 17, 2022)
InFocus: Illinois historian tells the tale of the 21st State (November 21, 2022)