Combining a chronological overview with topical development, this team of esteemed authors presents in engaging detail the rich and varied history of Missouri, a state that has played a pivotal role in the nation's history from the pre-Columbian period to the present. In a clear engaging style that all students of Missouri history are certain to enjoy, the authors explore such subjects as Missouri's Indian peoples, French and Spanish settlement, slavery, the American Civil War and Reconstruction, politics from territorial days to the present, cultural and industrial development, both world wars, historical and recent demographics, and the difficult choices that Missourians face regarding the economy, the environment, and education as the 21st century unfolds. Featuring an entirely new chapter as well as new maps, photographs, newly revised Suggestions for Further Reading, and a comprehensive index, this latest edition of our popular survey text will continue to enlighten and engage all those who call Missouri home.