Old Dominion, new commonwealth: a history of Virginia, 1607-2007

"On the morning of 26 April 1607, three small ships carrying 143 Englishmenarrived off the Virginia coast of North America, having spent four months at sea....

All hoped forfinancial success and perhaps a little adventure; as it turned out, their tiny settlement eventuallywould evolve from colony into a prominent state in an entirely new nation." So beginsOld Dominion, New Commonwealth: A History of Virginia, 1607-2007 and theremarkable story behind the founding not only of the state of Virginia but of our nation.

With thisbook, the historians Ronald L. Heinemann, John G. Kolp, Anthony S. Parent Jr., and William G. Shadecollaborate to provide a comprehensive, accessible, one-volume history of Virginia, the first ofits kind since the 1970s.

In seventeen narrative chapters, the authors tackle thefour centuries of Virginia's history from Jamestown through the present, emphasizing the majorthemes that play throughout Virginia history-change and continuity, a conservative politicalorder, race and slavery, economic development, and social divisions-and how they relate tonational events.

Including helpful bibliographical listings at the end of each chapter as well as ageneral listing of useful sources and Websites, the book is truly a treasure trove for any student,scholar, or general-interest reader looking to find out more about the history of Virginia andour nation.

Timed to coincide with the 2007 quadricentennial, Old Dominion, NewCommonwealth will stand as a classic for years to come.