State by State

Inspired by Depression-era travel guides, an anthology of essays on each of the fifty states, plus Washington, D.C., by some of America’s finest writers.

State by State is a panoramic portrait of America and an appreciation of all fifty states (and Washington, D.C.) by fifty-one of the most acclaimed writers in the nation. Anthony Bourdain chases the fumigation truck in Bergen County, New JerseyDave Eggers tells it straight: Illinois is Number 1Louise Erdrich loses her bikini top in North DakotaJonathan Franzen gets waylaid by New York’s publicist . . . and personal attorney . . . and historian . . . and geologistJohn Hodgman explains why there is no such thing as a “Massachusettsean”Edward P. Jones makes the case: D.C. should be a state!Jhumpa Lahiri declares her reckless love for the Rhode Island coastRich Moody explores the dark heart of Connecticut’s Merritt Parkway, exit by exitAnn Patchett makes a pilgrimage to the Civil War site at Shiloh, TennesseeWilliam T. Vollman visits a San Francisco S&M clubAnd many more

Praise for State by State

An NPR Best Book of the Year

“The full plumage of American life, in all its riotous glory.” —The New Yorker

“Odds are, you’ll fall for every state a little.” —Los Angeles Times