This is a fascinating book about the history of Illinois and has given me so much context for the state and also the history of America that most people don't tend to know! This book got me to bookmark a few sites I'd drag my friends to drive to in the summer. Can see myself buy this book and explore forgotten monuments and cities if I ever learn to drive in America! Would recommend if you care about the state's history or are looking for context when you visit!

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an e- ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Being born and raised in Chicago, I always enjoy learning more about the history of Illinois and the surrounding area – it is amazing to visit and explore sites that have played a key role in our history, to briefly touch that which has been here for a hundred years or more.

“Exploring the Land of Lincoln: The Essential Guide to Illinois Historic Sites” by Charles Titus is not your typical tourist guide. This book is all about the history of Illinois, and about 20 key sites from that history that one can visit today. Mr. Titus does a great job providing the background for each of these 20 sites: what happened, what it looked like back then, why it is important. We also get a detailed snapshot of what we can expect to find today.

The book is an excellent introduction to (mostly) little known pieces of Illinois history, from the first European settlers up until the 20th century. One can quibble with Mr. Titus’ choices, but all of the sites are interesting in their own way. My only complaint is that I felt that the descriptions of what we find today were quite detailed and a bit too elaborate.

I requested and received a free advanced electronic copy from University of Illinois Press / 3 Fields Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

This book is a fine introduction to Illinois historic travel. It covers close to twenty places to visit in Illinois if you are a history buff. I wish Mr Titus would have gone past the 1940s as there is always many more places to consider, but he does give an appendix with more than twenty more places to consider when travelling around Illinois.

The collection is a bit heavy on Lincoln history, but I am very glad that the author included Cahokia Mounds and Starved Rock -- their inclusion prompts me to revisit those places this summer. (The last time I was at Cahokia was 1973, and Starved Rock was 1978. Where does the time go, huh?)

So this summer this local Chicago man will retrace a few steps and explore a few I was not aware of until I read this book. Thanks to this book, this local resident was not aware of the South Side Arts Center and I will visit it as soon as possible.

Excellent guide to 20 of the most important cultural and historical places to discover in Illinois. With plenty of maps and illustrations, clearly and accessibly written, the book will prove an inspiration to any traveller in the state.

As the Covid pandemic continues, we all stuck at home, and as an Illinoisian, exploring my state and its beauty even from the safety of my home brings me joy. Mr. Titus captures many of the places that make Illinois such a wonderful place to live. There is tons of history in this state and places to explore from Native American to pioneers, there is much to learn from reading this book.

Charles Titus gives us a very readable and well researched overview of the history of Illinois and its historical sites you can visit. Its excellently well done. I don't imagine you will find a more enjoyable and well referenced guide to the history, with a special view on the life of Abraham Lincoln. Highly recommended, I can definitely say even the most knowledgeable will learn something and even the least interested in the history will enjoy the descriptions and style of Charles Titus. I really wanted to visit Illinois after reading this.

Of course there are lots of places in Illinois and Chicago not covered. But this is what it says it is, an essential guide, and as such you can't argue with it. These are the places of fundamental interest to the history of Illinois. Are there more that could and probably should be added? Yes, but this is a quibble. This is a remarkably informative and beautiful book to read and if you want to know about Illinois' history, I can't think of a better place to start.