The spirit of West Virginia and its people are best exemplified by the state's most central feature—the Appalachian Mountains. West Virginians are hardy, enduring, and rugged, with a resourcefulness that matches the bounty of natural resources locked within those mountains. In colonial times, West Virginia was considered the western frontier and was part of the Virginia colony. The state's economy has been driven by its rich reserves of natural resources, and its culture has been enriched by its resourceful and spirited populace—including many famous actors, athletes, astronauts, authors, and mathematicians. West Virginia is a state of mountains and mountaineers, forever reaching to the sky and well-grounded within the rich earth. Its compelling history is revealed here in great detail and with a suitably noble and uplifting spirit.