As I study more history, I am struck by how often books are written to glorify one group, at the expense of others. History is written by the victors, it is said, and many books certainly fit comfortably into this narrative.

As we move into the 21st century, this narrative feels tired and incomplete. I have a new approach to try out on the states of California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada and Utah. I have lived in four of them, and I have many ties to Washington State, including several visits.

These five states were stolen from indigenous tribes; held enslaved persons under color of law; experienced the rise of the Ku Klux Klan and hate groups; engaged in greedy capitalism which caused suffering to others; have enacted laws affecting the LGBTQ+ community; and they all have a lot of women.

I’m looking forward to a different approach, by myself, and others.