by Andro Linklater
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Product Description
An evocative and highly original narrative that redefines America’s character and identity.With the same mix of compelling narrative history and captivating historical argument that made his previous book, Measuring America, such a success, Andro Linklater relates in fascinating detail how the borders and boundaries that formed states and a nation inspired the sense of identity that has ever since been central to the American experiment. Challenging Frederick Jackson Turner’s famed frontier thesis, he argues that we are defined not by open spaces but by boundaries. Linklater weaves his provocative arguments into a dramatic story line, wherein the actions of Andrew Ellicott, America’s greatest surveyor; Thomas Jefferson; the treasonous general James Wilkinson; Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas; and numerous hitherto invisible settlers all illuminate the shaping of the nation. This brilliant book will alter forever readers’ perception of America and what it means to be an American.
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Average Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
 What IS this thing exactly?, 2008-11-19
This book seems to be trying to be several things at once. First, it appears to be a simple story of how the country and the states got their shapes (along the lines of How the States Got Their Shapes).
This, however, then morphs into a biography of Andrew Ellicott. He's a fascinating subject, and had quite a bit to do with the first topic, but he is in turned dropped for ...
An argument against Frederick Jackson Turner's famous thesis on the frontier and the shaping of America's character. (Linklater's own thesis is that settlers needed and wanted borders so they basically could get on with the important business of truly settling the land instead of just camping out on it - and it's a good argument too.)
This then turns into a simple rehashing of American history, with very vague connections to the first three themes. Yes, there was a lead-up to the Civil War and, yes, slavery played a role. Next, we somehow worked out how the defeated South would be incorporated with the rest of the country, though not in the idealistic fashion that the war itself may have promised. Also, did you know there was increasing industry and immigration in the latter half of the 19th Century? Amazing!
The connections to the other themes range from the extremely purple, abstract, and high-flying to the downright silly ("hmm, I wonder what Andrew Ellicott would have thought about this?"). Mix in some very random digressions (the stuff on the real Wild Bill Hickcock, for example, is fascinating, but I'm not sure how it relates to anything) and you've got a bit of a mess.
At the same time, though, some of the details on how our borders came about - as well as the human interest behind some of that - is genuinely fascinating. If the author had stuck to one of these themes, this would have been quite a successful little book. As is, though ... As one of my old writing teachers use to counsel, "Focus!"
That said, I have to admit I am tempted enough to try out his other book. Here's hoping that's a better read.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
On the shoulders of giants, 2007-10-20
In recounting the life and times of Ellicott, Andro Linklater covers a complex series of topics with elegance and a touch of humor. He weaves astronomy, celestial navigation, instrument making, land speculation, conspiracies, slavery, political intrigue, international relations, Federal, State, and personal finances, and neurotic personalities into the compelling tale of one man's pursuit of his life's passions. This is a terrific piece of writing: Clear, concise and insightful.
Andrew Ellicott was truly a giant and a genuine genius: He is an archetype both similar and different to Benjamin Franklin. What I found intriguing was the amazing impact that one person could have - yet be largely unknown. The story of Andrew Ellicott is certainly worth a PBS series. I lost interest a bit after Linklater in the last third of the book focused more on the division of the land and the emergence of pro- and anti-slavery states. Still Linklater continued to demonstrate an ability to convey the complexities of events and of leading characters such as Buchanan and Douglas.
Minor criticisms: The lack of footnotes and the lack of maps are two avoidable weaknesses. Was the publisher doing things on the cheap? The lack of footnotes is particularly annoying because Linklater uses some seldom cited sources and more specific references would be very helpful. Customized maps would have reinforced the detail and scope of Ellicott's work. The maps that are included are essentially unreadable. The Appendix is a useful idea but could have been extended to illustrate Ellicott's actual surveying techniques. Perhaps these are covered in Linklater's earlier Measuring America.
Despite the above, I strongly recommend the book. I missed Andro Linklater's Measuring America but it is now on order.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
 A revealing, evocative narrative, 2007-09-03
Today's borders and boundaries actually consist of a pattern of lines reflecting the politics of the U.S. and the values which were revealed as the U.S. grew. THE FABRIC OF AMERICA: HOW OUR BORDERS AND BOUNDARIES SHAPED THE COUNTRY AND FORGED OUR NATIONAL IDENTITY reflects these changes, offering a different kind of American history based not on dates and events so much as by laws and the desire of the people to protect place, property and rights. How early immigrants were Americanized by experiences within America's boundaries, how unity was created from diversity, and what decided lines of battle and borders is all covered in a revealing, evocative narrative perfect for any public lending library's American history section.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
A fascinating page-turner of a history lesson!, 2007-08-27
This book is so much more than what the title implies. It is really three books (at least!) for the price of one.
Firstly, it is an insightful and thorough overturning of Frederick Jackson Turner's famous 1893 thesis concerning just how the frontier experience made America....America. The Author demonstrates that it wasn't the lawless, self-reliant, rugged individual as the dominate force, but really the opposite: an overarching concern by the newly-settled for a clear delineation to enforce their newly created property rights as a means toward wealth creation. Societal roots can only take hold where they are not trampled by a stampede of disorder. Thus don't send in the Cavalry, send the Surveyors! Along the way, Linklater reveals little known anecdotes of the political cronyism and insider wheeling & dealing that was rampant from the landing of the Mayflower right up to the present. Bush and Enron and Halliburton ain't got nothin' on the Father of our Country, folks!
Secondly, the book is a lovingly told biography of a surveyor extrordinaire: Andrew Ellicott. A true Zelig of the times, he was seemingly everywhere important as the nation shaped its boundaries and destiny. That Mark Knopfler wrote a popular song about the better known duo of "Charlie Mason and Jeremiah Dixon" is just unfortunate for Ellicott is the real classic hero of the period. Ellicott's story deserves a rousing Hollywood retelling; it's that good.
Lastly, the book is a gentle reminder that America is indeed -and always was- a immigrational melting pot and the current upset over our Brown Brothers to the South may be yet another overblown diversion by those who wish to distract us from the REAL issues confronting the good ol' U.S.A.
Easily the most entertaining and well written book I have read in many years. I literally could not put it down and frequently got blurry-eyed and had to give the old eyeballs a rest. I can't wait to re-read it and enjoy the trip once again.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
Geography & Technical Skill: Making of our Nation, 2007-08-09
Linklater's careful research gives a compenious narrative of the early mapping of our nation. The amazing
part of this book is the great effect that one man, Andrew Ellicot, had on the forming of our State and
National borders! As one who loves to read history through various prisms I enjoyed learning so many new
and important features of our early history, from 1780 through 1853! The only disappointment in this
book, and this may be only my personal predilection, was that there could have been many more maps
to illustrate the detailed narrative!
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