Book excerpt: In Hiking through History New York, you can hike through the forest planted on orders from President Franklin Roosevelt and follow the swath cut by the 20th century’s strongest and most influential First Lady. Or you can traverse the Minisink Battleground, a shady natural area once erupted in battle between British, Iroquois, and American troops. Or explore Fort Niagara and walk along lookout points that French soldiers occupied as far back as the 1600s. Hiking through History New York profiles forty hikes, going beyond stating miles and directions for each hike to include rich descriptions of the history underfoot. Whether you’re a curious tourist or a local history buff, this is a comprehensive guidebook to the area’s natural and human history.