Missouri : the heart of the nation / William E. Parrish, Lawrence O. Christensen, Brad D. Lookingbill.

Includes index.

Native ground -- A confluence of empires -- The Missouri borderlands -- Statehood and beyond -- The age of Benton -- Slavery in Missouri -- A developing state -- Turmoil on the border -- The Civil War -- Radical rule -- The Gilded Age -- Angry farmers and urban reformers -- Missouriana -- Out of the mud -- The Pendergast era -- Better government in Missouri -- A bellwether state -- Into the new millennium -- Appendix.

"The history of Missouri is rich and diverse. The state formed at the crossroads of America in the "Heart of the Nation." It has played a pivotal role in much of the nation's history, particularly in the development of the American West. The writers have endeavored to present the story of Missouri and its people in a clear and concise manner. From colonization to the present, the history of the state has been a story of Missourians and their attempts to relate to their environment and changing circumstances. The writers hope that they have captured herein the full impact of the events that have made Missouri into the state it is today."--Provided by publisher.