A fascinating look at the fifty state quarters and what they tell us about a changing America
The U.S. Mint’s Fifty State Quarters Program-its most ambitious program to date-has been a huge popular success. When the final state quarters are released in 2008, many thousands of individuals will have collected one commemorative quarter for each state in the Union. But what can we learn about our country’s history and culture from $12.50 worth of quarters? A Pocketful of History tells the intriguing story behind each state’s quarter: how each state chose its quarter’s design; what is important about the people, scenes, or themes depicted on the coin; and what the collection tells us about how we view ourselves and our heritage. A Pocketful of History will guide readers on a fascinating journey through America’s rich history of change.
"Readers will encounter familiar information but also the new and unfamiliar and will come away with a greater appreciation of their pocket change and the valuable history it can offer."—Library Journal
“Even if you are just spending the commemorative quarters to buy soda, bottled water or candy, this book should be added to your personal library. It could be an important introduction to U.S. history for some child who otherwise might suffer from history phobia…It is a fun and easy read full of information that seldom makes it into history text books.”—Roanoke Times
“Even though Noles claims he is not a coin collector himself, he writes with the passionate and attention to detail of a seasoned pro. His book is breezy, informative and fascinating.”—Tucson Citizen 5/8/08
“Few of us ever bother to look at the loose change that jangles in our pockets and purses. Noles reminds us that what’s inscribed on those coins says a lot about the kind of country we are, and what we hope to be.”—Baton Rouge Advocate
“Everyone who collected these quarters—and anyone who loves anecdotal American history—will want to own and read Jim Noles A Pocketful of History.”—Constant Reader column
“This book will be a necessity for collectors of the new quarters, and a good read for older schoolchildren, encapsulating a lot of state history in a readable and unique form.”—Curled Up With a Good Book
“Winsome and valuable…A fascinating look at how politics and personalities shape what we see and how we see it—a history lesson in itself.”—
Blogcritics.org “The general reader will enjoy this book. It is highly recommended to those who have collected the state quarters.”—The Oklahoman, “Book Briefs” 5/25/08
“At the very least, you’ll want to look up the story behind the silver of your home turf.”—Bookgasm.com, 5/29/08
“Numismatists, history buffs and schoolchildren alike will enjoy A Pocketful of History…There’s a lot to be learned here.”—BookPage
“This book is going to make my new hobby even more enjoyable...Noles is an enthusiastic guide.”—Seattle Times, 6/6/08
“A wonderful book on America’s state quarters that belongs in every library. It tells the historical side of each design in a fascinating way.”—COINage, 9/08
“A must-have for collectors.”—Acadiana LifeStyle, September 2008
“An enlightening journey through 400 years of American history in twenty-five-cent doses.”—History, Oct/Nov 2008
“Offers a history lesson from each of the states based on the design of their quarter…Each story reveals an interesting snapshot of the state…Fascinating reading.”—Kalamazoo Gazette, 11/29/08
“Each state has its own chapter, and the stories are fun.”—Magill Book Reviews
“This state-by-state exploration reveals the historical and cultural significance behind each coin.”—Numismatist, 4/09
“[Noles] reveals the historical and cultural significance behind each coin with lively and entertaining prose…A veritable anthology of truly American stories…Makes an excellent companion on the journey of filling state quarter coin boards.”—The Numismatist
“A well-executed attempt to use the current popular interest in images on pocket change as a means of fostering an appreciation of the American historical experience…Written in a light, conversational style…Noles has done a masterful job of breathing life and interest into a group of quarters.”—American Numismatic Society Magazine
“Good for family road trips or light reading.”—Desert News, 6/7/09
“A book that will entertain anybody. Coin collectors of any age will have to have it…Noles tells his stories well. Every one is moving, and each might be enough to lead a reader to delve further into history of a state, the nation, and perhaps from there to that of the world.”—Internetreviewofbooks.com, June 2009
“Each quarter gets its own chapter in Noles’ book, where history is shared in gentle doses…For Noles’, history is lively and each journey is entertaining and informative. A Pocketful of History is a very good book.”—January, 7/3/09
“Even if you're not a collector, you'll nonetheless be entertained and enlightened—and find yourself looking a lot closer at the next state quarter that lands in your hand.”—American Profile’s web-only “Our Picks Reviews”, 7/16/09
“This book should draw considerable attention from coin collectors…A treasure trove of fun for history fans and anyone interested in American trivia…written in a simple yet friendly narrative.”—Augusta Metro Spirit, 8/5/09
“The designs on the coins reveal that much of what we cherish and value involves natural resources, natural wonders, and flora and fauna.”—Natural Resources & Environment(ABA), Summer, 2009
“Everyone has them, most collect them and everyone knows about them. This is the ultimate companion guide to the series…The best companion book to collecting the State Quarters. The story behind the stories…[An] excellent, fast and fun read.”—“Our History Project,” 4/2/10
