In American Places, Jay Shabat explains the vast constellation of forces shaping the economies of different areas of the country. Why is Silicon Valley so rich but the Mississippi Delta so poor? How did some cities like New York find new ways to prosper after de-industrialization but others like Baltimore did not? How does a remote place in coastal Alaska maintain a healthy economy? How about a Native American reservation, or other places still scarred by a legacy of unjust treatment. How about places economically dependent on prisons or coal mines or steel mills? What about those dependent on federal transfers, be it military spending or social security checks? Many American places, you'll quickly see, are greatly dependent on what some call "eds and meds," meaning education and healthcare institutions. To really understand how the American economy functions, and where it's headed in the future, don't just look at things from a national view. Look local.