"Davis writes with an authority derived from his own perceptivestudies of Illinois during the Jackson period. His account is balancedand critical while at the same time recognizing the value of Ford's book."-- Robert W. Johannsen, J. G. Randall Distinguished Professor of History,University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignBoth cynical and self-serving, Illinois's seventh governor Thomas Fordalso possessed an unrivaled sensitivity to the dynamics of frontier life.He reveals these and other qualities in his classic A History of Illinois,which covers the state's first thirty years.Ford writes with candor of the lengthy "Hancock County difficulties"and the ouster of Mormons from the state. His treatment of the Black HawkWar and his writings on the slavery controversy in the state, the murderof Elijah Lovejoy, and the larger issues of violence and vigilantism helpshow why this volume has been called the outstanding early survey of Illinoishistory. This reissue of Ford's book includes an introduction by RodneyO. Davis and a publication history by Terence Tanner.
