About the book:  In 2009 I self-published U.S. State Names, which had been a labor of love for almost 12 years.  Each chapter tells the story (not just the dictionary definition) of where the name comes from, how it came to label one of the states, and who got to decide.  The book is 498 pages, and packed with information, maps, and pictures to help tell the story of each state's name.  Click here if you're interested in purchasing a hard copy for only $5 plus postage.