Unashamedly nostalgic and compulsively readable, The Way We Were series does exactly what the title suggests: It recaptures what life was like in each place covered in years gone by—particularly between the 1920s and 1970s.

These books remind readers of the past through a rare collection of evocative photographs and the deft words of a knowledgeable writer. After a general introduction that sets the scene, six chapters cover all aspects of the state: its main attractions, infrastructure, home life, leisure activities, sports—and the harder-to-categorize qualities that make each place special.

A perfect gift for those who live or have lived in a particular state or region, as well as visitors, this new series provides a fascinating selection of images that will bring back memories of the past.