Description
Since its publication in 1996, The Sagebrush State has served as the text for the required course on Nevada’s history and constitution given at the state’s colleges and universities. The third edition of this work is updated through 2005 to include information on the elections of 2002 and 2004 and two very controversial sessions of the legislature. The full text of the state constitution is provided for reference in an appendix and includes extensive annotations that note and explain amendments and other changes made to the original 1864 document.

Reviews
“This is a volume that would be a worthwhile addition to the bookshelf of anyone looking for a reliable reference work on Nevada government and politics. It will appeal to anyone seeking to understand those subjects in the context of a turbulent past which, in many ways, is strikingly unique among states of the West and the nation.” —Western Historical Quarterly

“In Nevada, as elsewhere, historical and environmental forces have influenced government and politics. Michael W. Bowers’ book succeeds in capturing the dynamics of this process. This concise work explains how Nevada government actually works and how the area’s history has shaped its political culture.” —Journal of the West

“Bowers intends The Sagebrush State to be a serviceable text for the required course on Nevada’s history and constitution given in the state’s community colleges and universities. He has succeeded admirably. The book provides a concise, yet insightful, commentary on the elements of the state’s government, taxation, and finances.” —Peter L. Bandurraga, New Mexico Historical Review, April 1998