The Old Line State

A History of Maryland

By: Daniel Hardy

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

A Sweeping History of the Great State of Maryland

From the Chesapeake Bay's ancient shores to the corridors of modern Washington, Maryland has stood at the crossroads of American history for nearly four centuries. In this compelling entry in The Hardy Histories of the States of America series, discover how a small colony founded on religious tolerance became one of the nation's most influential states.

The Old Line State traces Maryland's remarkable journey from the Piscataway and Nanticoke peoples through Lord Baltimore's Catholic haven to today's high-tech powerhouse. Witness the birth of religious freedom with the Act of Toleration, follow the Underground Railroad through Eastern Shore plantations, stand with Francis Scott Key as he pens our national anthem at Fort McHenry, and experience the Civil War's bitter divisions that split families and communities.

This vivid narrative reveals how Maryland pioneered American ideals of diversity and pragmatic governance while grappling with slavery, industrialization, and modern urban challenges. From the tobacco fields that built colonial fortunes to the biotechnology labs driving twenty-first-century innovation, from Frederick Douglass's escape to freedom to the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland's story illuminates the broader American experience.

Rich with unforgettable characters and dramatic turning points, The Old Line State demonstrates how one small state's commitment to tolerance, adaptability, and democratic compromise helped shape a nation.