Yeah, the book about state shapes came out before I published mine. In fact, I used his as a reference in some cases.
I got the idea for the book many years ago. I wondered how Colorado came to be named. I knew it was named for the river, but I wanted to know who got to decide how that word would apply to this square on the map. I looked all over for a book that would give that kind of information for all of the states, but there wasn't one. There were a few that came close (the classic "Names on the Land" by George Rippey Stewart came closest) but the exact book I wanted didn't exist. So my husband suggested I write it.
That was about twelve years ago. 
As a full-time mom of two, I would drag my kids to the library with me, and research and write in my "spare" time.
Sorry to babble on, but it's like my third child.
Take care.
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