The first half of this book (360 pages) is concerned with events prior to 1860; the second half is concerned with Wisconsin’s ‘war record’ and the administrations of governors from 1860 to 1875. Of the first 360 pages, about 200 pages are devoted to a general history that includes chapters on geography and exploration era, French and British regime, pioneering period and the Black Hawk war. Then begins a succession of chronological chapters on political events during the Territorial government, and then individual chapters for each governor’s administration until the Civil War.