In this slim but informative volume, young readers will learn that Connecticut was "discovered" by the Dutch explorer Adriaen Block. The river up which Block sailed was called the "Quinnenhtukqut," which means "Long River" in the language of the Algonquian Indians (with all due apologies to the Mighty Mississippi). Susan Whitehurst provides the key details of the early history of the colony. The Dutch establish a trading post called the House of Hope while settlers from Massachusetts came to get away from the Puritan laws. While other colonies became English because of armed intervention, it seems Connecticut just sort of became English. Among the interesting details presented by Whitehurst are the Fundamental Orders that ruled the colony in the 17th-century and a nice contrast between the English and Indian conceptions of land ownership. She also covers the early economy of Connecticut, which will give young readers an idea of how it was different from the other original colonies. The key thing with these volumes in The Library of the Thirteen Colonies and The Lost Colony is to see at one point the story of the particular colony gets caught up in a more generalized history of the American Revolution. In this particular volume Whitehurst turns to the issue of taxation without representation and the colonial uprising in the seventh chapter (each two-page spread is a "chapter"), which is about par for the course in this series. However, Whitehurst does make an effort to include a detail about Connecticut in all of those chapters as well, so this is an above average entry in this informative little series. The last page even talks about what you can go and see today at Mystic Seaport that relates to the state's history, going back to colonial times. Each chapter offers a full-page illustration, usually a historic painting or etching, with a paragraph of simply text on the facing page.

My wife bought this book for me, wow what a great book. If you are a lover of Colt SAA's or any of the Colt products for that matter, it's covered in here. This book includes dates of production and numbers produced. It also has beautiful pictures to illistrate some of their finest work.

I have paddled the entire Mass-Conn length of the river and the only book I brought with me was this one. I found it to be an invaluable tool. I am now using The Complete Guide in preperation for another lengthy trip on the Connecticut. This time we will kayak 175 miles from Moore Resivoir to Turner's Falls. This book is well researched and provides phone numbers, take outs, put ins, camping sights, available water sources, and points of interest. Please feel free to e-mail me if you have questions regarding my previous trip or my upcomming one

This is an excellent depiction of Connecticut for the resident and non-resident alike. From Connecticut's stone walls and quaint farms to its colonial images and modern aerial views, this book gives a good pictoral sampling of the state. Just enough text to keep it interesting and to inform the reader of some little-known Connecticut facts. One detriment, though, is that the book (copyright 1989) has a few "dated" photos in it. Aside from that, it is an excellent book for one to get a flavor of the natural and man-made beauty in this small state

The Thirteen Colonies series explores the roots of the United States from its indigenous people and its earliest European arrivals in each colony to their growth into the states we know today. The point is to give you students not only vivid details about the day-to-day existence of colonial life, with all its hardship and toil, but also to trace the growing discontent with British rule that would lead to each colony joining in the American Revolution.

Of course, if you are a student assigned to learn more about one of the original thirteen colonies then you want to get one of the important colonies like Massachusetts, Virginia, or New York. You would not want to get saddled with Connecticut, which is why author Christina M. Girod starts off with the argument that much of the legacy of the state's first European settles flavors American society today. Of course, that was because the first Europeans to dominate the Connecticut frontier were the English Puritans, which sort of undoes the whole uniqueness for the state since if you say English Puritans you are talking Plymouth Colony, Salem Witch Trials, the City Upon the Hill, and all the rest of what you find about the Puritans in your standard American history textbook. Therefore it is up to the students to make the case for how Connecticut was different from its domineering neighbor colony. However, it is well worth the effort.

Girod develops the history of the Connecticut colony in five chapters: (1) Before the Colony develops the history of the Pequot tribe, devoting more time to the native inhabitants of the region that most other volumes in this series, before developing the rising tensions between the Pequot and the Puritans; (2) Establishing the Colony for "The Will of the People" focuses on the Reverend Thomas Hooker, one of the Puritan dissenters who fled the Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay Colonies who led the Connecticut General Court that drew up and approved a code of laws called the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut. Girod credits this rather liberal document with being the first democratic constitution in the Western World, and traces the development of the New Haven Colony, the creation of the New England Federation, and the Connecticut Charter. This is certainly the most interesting chapter in the book, providing a detailed look at the political evolution of the colony's government.

The rest of the volume looks at (3) Daily Life in Connecticut Colony in terms of work, education, religion, and newspapers; (4) Role in the Revolution covers some of the familiar points of tension between the colonies and England from the perspective of Connecticut, although Girod sometimes ends up talking about what is happening in Boston or other colonies during this period as well. However she also talks specifically about the war in Connecticut and the history of Newgate Prison; and (5) Connecticut After the Revolution looks at the postwar political and social changes that Connecticut faced while debating and developing the Constitutional Framework before becoming the fifth state in the new Union.

Girod might not be able to make a case for the significance of the colony of Connecticut, but she most certainly provides a detailed look at how the colony on its own terms. She especially does a nice job of establishing some of the famous citizens of the colony, providing sidebars on Nathan Hale, Jonathan Trumbull, and Roger Sherman. The book is illustrated with mostly historic etchings, drawings, and paintings, which certainly give you a feel for the times being discussed. Despite the shaky beginning with the introduction, this is as fine of a volume in the Thirteen Colonies series as I have read to date. You might not know the importance of the colony of Connecticut, but you will certainly know its history when you are finished reading this excellent little volume.

This is a well written and informative book that brilliantly details many of the wonderful things Connecticut has to offer. A++++

"A CT Place" places Weir in the highest ranks of 19th century American painters. This catalogue brings together some of his best work, revealing the amazing subtleties of his style as he portrays the Connecticut landscape as it really is and feels - the dense woods, rolling fields, the colors of spring and fall. A must have for any fan of impressionism and painting in general.

Connecticut Survival, part of The Survival Series, is a comprehensive guide to dealing with all of the bureaucratic stuff of life, yet it is concisely written. It has all the forms your teenager or young adult will have to fill out sooner or later -- registration to vote, job application, passport, tax forms, and more, so they can become familiar with them in advance. It also has good advice -- like how much money is safe to borrow or how to make a budget. It explains how to open a checking account and balance a check book! That's why I think every high school senior should have this book, or its companion books, New York Survival and California Survival. The books list lots of web sites that are useful for navigating life. I feel better knowing my college freshman can use this guide to help her manage her new independence.

I saw this charming book featured in the Hartford Courant and bought it to quiz my kids about the state they live in. We have a great time with our question and answer sessions, especially on road trips and travels throughout Connecticut.

It is ubelivable that this could happen, even to a disabled person. It shows that we are not innocent till proven guilty, in fact the opposite is true