This volume is designed as a general reference tool for the study of the history of Massachusetts. The only book of its type, the volume focuses largely on local history, emphasizing the new social history, and containing biographies of leading figures. Since Massachusetts history and U.S. history largely intertwined during the colonial and early national period, the book provides information on trends in early American history, and provides scholars and other interested readers with an up-to-date summary of major works and important interpretations of each period and of relevant themes, such as urban history, women in history, and oral history.