ReviewAs the basi of a projected four-volume collection that will portray the finish history of California, Contested Eden holds a dozen essays ranging from prehistory to 1848. Because it is oftentimes mutual to think of California’s history as beginning with the Gold Rush, this text provides a welcome look at the rich background of the most populous state. It is sure to be of interest both to academic and novice historians. Contested Eden begins with an examination of California’s natural history, and proceeds in a roughly chronological fashion through the Indian settlements, the conquest by Spain, the incursions of Russian traders, the settlers who came overland from the United States, and the role of California in the war amidst the U.S. and Mexico. Other essays tackle themes such as cultural conflicts and gender roles. On occasion the writing lapses into academic jargon, but for the most part the pieces are lucid and highly informative.
About the AuthorRamón A. Gutiérrez is Professor of Ethnic Studies and History at the University of California, San Diego. Richard J. Orsi is Professor of History at California State University, Hayward, and editor of the diary California History.
Southwest Expedition Jedediah Smith California
Celebrating the 150th birthday of the state of California offers the probability to reexamine the founding of modern California, from the earliest days through the Gold Rush and up to 1870. In this four-volume series, published in association with the California Historical Society, leading scholars offer a contemporary perspective on such issues as the evolution of a distinctive California culture, the fundamental interaction among humans and the natural environment, the ways in which California’s development affected the United States and the world, and the bequest of cultural and ethnic diversity in the state.
California before the Gold Rush, the initial California Sesquicentennial volume, combines topics of interest to scholars and frequent readers alike. The essays investigate traditionalisti historical subjects and also explore such areas as environmental science, women’s history, and Indian history. Authored by discerned scholars in their respective fields, each essay holds splendid summary bibliographies of leading works on pertinent topics. This volume also features an extraordinary full-color photographic essay on the artistic record of the conquest of California by Europeans, as well as over seventy black-and-white photographs, a great deal of never before published.
Most helpful customer reviews
10 of 13 people found the following review helpful.
 Pre-Gold Rush California Essays
By Jay Marlowe
This book looks at pre-gold rush California from various angles. Essays on native California history, along with indigenous actions during early occupation years are major parts of this text. The history of “Californio” women and indigenous sexuality are also included. Californio and Anglo interactions between 1820 and 1850 cover new ground.
At times the work appears a bit “heady” because the advanced vocabulary. However, this is a “must read” for any California scholar.
4 of 7 people found the following review helpful.
found this very useful….
By Craig Chalquist, PhD, author of TERRAPSYCHOLOGY and DEEP CALIFORNIA
….for my doctoral research, which involves the history of California. The editors made a conscious choice to show this history in less Eurocentric form; Native Californian voices and perspectives are taken seriously, and there is good ethnographic and naturalistic information to be had.
While I’m not an expert in this area, I do question whether the persistent use of terms like “aristocracy,” “hierarchy,” “wealth,” “headman,” and “chief” are appropriate when discussing Native Californians. My impression is that our Western and European prejudices are still at work here.
3 of 6 people found the following review helpful.
 Scholarly essays about pre-gold rush California.
By A
This book looks at pre-gold rush California from varorious angles. Essays on native California history, along with indigenous actions during early occupation years are major parts of this text. The history of “Californio” women and indigenous sexuality are also included.
Californio and Anglo interactions between 1820 and 1850 cover new ground.
At times the work appears a bit “heady” because the advanced vocabulary. However, this is a “must read” for any California scholar.
See all 5 customer reviews…
Southwest Expedition Jedediah Smith California Image
Southwest Expedition Jedediah Smith California Picture
Southwest Expedition Jedediah Smith California Pic
Southwest Expedition Jedediah Smith California Photo
|