West Virginia University Press has issued one classic work of West Virginia history in an attractive new design, and will soon publish a new edition of a book widely recognized as the best history of the state ever written.

West Virginia and the Captains of Industry, by John Alexander Williams, was originally published by WVU Press in 1976. This book examines West Virginia in 1913, after 50 years of statehood, and shows how early decisions shaped the state’s subsequent history. The newly-redesigned cover of the book features an impressive photograph of an early logging camp. It may be seen on the WVU Press web page:www.as.wvu.edu/press.

Later this summer, WVU Press will make Williams’s West Virginia: A History available again in a new edition. Often cited as the best history of the state, this informative and highly readable book has been unavailable for several years. Williams will update the book for this second edition.

Patrick Conner, director of WVU Press, is proud of these two publications.”John Alexander Williams is one of the leading historians of West Virginia and Appalachia. As the press of West Virginia, WVU Press is very pleased to be able to offer his work to our readers. This is an important step in our effort to publish the best of the state and region’s writing.”

Williams is professor of history at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.