We live in a sea of images. You probably have a little device within reach right now that contains photos of everything from last weekend's brunch to last year's office Christmas party. Not to mention all the images you scroll through on Google, Facebook, and Instagram in any given day.
Because of that, the idea of a coffee-table book of photography may seem not only old-fashioned, but downright ridiculous. But, especially in our ever-connected age, there's something to be said for the power of curated images on the printed page. Plus, you can't wrap up and gift a Tumblr account this holiday season.
Taschen's The United States of America contains over 700 stunning images of all 50 states from National Geographic 's archive. The book is a state-by-state visual guide to more than 100 years of American history, from early black-and-white photos of the still-unsettled Western frontier to full-color shots of a post-Katrina New Orleans.
Ahead, we've culled together images from each of the 50 states (plus Guam and Washington, D.C.), one from each, to give you a glimpse into the sheer scope and scale of the remarkable collection — and a remarkable country.
Alabama
The Alabama Theater, Birmingham, 2014
Photographed by Susan Seubert.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Alaska
Fourth of July Celebration, Kotzebue, 1956
Photographed by W. Robert Moore.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Arizona
Hopi Point Overlook, Grand Canyon, 1955
Photographed by Justin Locke.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Arkansas
Motel, Blue Ozarks, 1946
Photographed by Willard R. Culver.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
California
El Capitan, Yosemite, 1980
Photographed by James Randklev.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Colorado
Ski Slope, Rocky Mountains, 1953
Photographed by Charles E. Grover.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Connecticut
Connecticut Hall, Yale University, 1936
Photographed by Willard Culver.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Delaware
Shed near Dover, 2007
Photographed by Stephen St. John.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Florida
Everglades, 1994
Photographed by Chris Johns.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Georgia
Sweet Auburn, Atlanta, 1988
Photographed by Jim Richardson.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Guam
Dusk, 1970
Photographed by James A. Sugar.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Hawaii
Mākaha Beach, 1961
Photographed by Robert B. Goodman.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Idaho
Idaho River, 1900
Photographer unknown.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Illinois
Tribune Building, Chicago, 1950s
Photographed by B. Anthony Stewart.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Indiana
Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, 1952
Photographed by Ralph E. Gray.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Iowa
John O'Donnell Stadium, Davenport, 1991
Photographed by William Albert Allard.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Kansas
Lindsborg, 2007
Photographed by Jim Richardson.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Kentucky
Booth's Amphitheater, Mammoth Cave, 1964
Photographed by David S. Boyer.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Louisiana
Preservation Hall, New Orleans, 2007
Photographed by Tyrone Turner.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Maine
Wiscasset, 1968
Photographed by B. Anthony Stewart.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Maryland
The Block, Baltimore, 1972
Photographed by Robert W. Madden.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Massachusetts
Salisbury Beach, 1979
Photographed by Nathan Benn.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Michigan
Shift Change, Rouge River, 1944
Photographed by B. Anthony Stewart.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Minnesota
King Turkey Day Festival, Worthington, 1976
Photographed by Jim Brandenburg.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Mississippi
Jones Village, Mississippi Delta, 1973
Photographed by Nathan Benn.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Missouri
Chief John Smith, 1900s
Photographed by Lewis R. Freeman.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Montana
U.S. Forest Service Worker, Cabinet National Forest, 1925
Photographer unknown.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Nebraska
One-Room School House, Cherry Count, 1978
Photographed by Jodi Cobb.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Nevada
Golden Club, Austin, 1974
Photographed by J. Bruce Baumann.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
New Hampshire
Hockey Rink, Whitfield Commons, 1982
Photographed by Sandy Felsenthal.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
New Jersey
Boardwalk, Atlantic City, 1960
Photographed by B. Anthony Stewart.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
New Mexico
Picnickers at Great White Sands, 1957
Photographed by William Belknap, Jr.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
New York
West 138th Street, Harlem, 1977
Photographed by LeRoy Woodson, Jr.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
North Carolina
Tent Revival, Charlotte, 1980
Photographed by Bill Weems.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
North Dakota
State Cafe-Roping Championship, Dickinson, 1950
Photographed by J. Baylor Roberts.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Ohio
Smokestacks Above Conesville, Ohio, 2004
Photographed by Peter Essick.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Oklahoma
Osage Hills Near Pawhuska, 1941
Photographed by B. Anthony Stewart.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Oregon
Ice Lake, Wallowa Mountains, 1946
Photographed by J. Elliot Finlay.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Pennsylvania
City Hall, Philadelphia, 1932
Photographed by Clifton Adams and Edwin L. Wisherd.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Rhode Island
Cliff Walk, Newport 1995
Photographed by Bob Krist.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
South Carolina
Magnolia Gardens, Charleston, 1953
Photographed by B. Anthony Stewart.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
South Dakota
Mount Rushmore, 1930s
Photographed by Charles D'Emery.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Tennessee
Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, 1978
Photographed by Jodi Cobb.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Texas
Cowboy, West Texas, 1974
Photographed by William Allan Allard.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Utah
Reflection Canyon, 2006
Photographed by Michael Melford.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Vermont
Echo Lake, 1927
Photographed by Clifton Adams.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Virginia
Tattoo Parlor, Norfolk, 1939
Photographed by Paul L. Pryor.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Washington
Fashion Show On Main Street, Spokane, 1960
Photographed by B. Anthony Stewart.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Washington, D.C.
National Mall, 1937
Photographed by J. Baylor Roberts.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
West Virginia
Union Carbide Lunchroom, Anmoore, 1971
Photographed by James P. Blair.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Wisconsin
Annual Celebration of Swiss Independence, New Glarus, 1977
Photographed by Cary Wolinsky.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
Wyoming
Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park, 1940
Photographed by Edwin L. Wiherd.
Photo: Courtesy of TASCHEN, © National Geographic Creative.
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