The Burning of Monterey : The 1818 Attack on California by the Privateer Bouchard [Paperback]

Peter Uhrowczik (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

" . . . splendid little book . . . moves well beyond any other account of [Bouchard's] 1818 raid on California . . . research is truly admirable." -- Andrew Rolle, Research Scholar Huntington Library; Formerly Cleland Professor of History at Occidental College. Author of over twenty books including

Definitive history of Monterey battle . . . Highly readable and meticulously documented. -- Monterey County Herald, September 23, 2001

This fascinating account is an important contribution . . . very thorough description of events to the physical geography. -- Edna Kimbro, Architectural Historian and Conservator, Consultant, Presidio of Monterey Park

From the Publisher

A fascinating story about pirates, privateers, the Spanish-American wars of independence, a voyage around the world in pursuit of Spanish vessels, a look at California in 1818 and the dramatic confrontation between a daring privateer and a clever governor of California, deeply loyal to the king of Spain.

Product Details

• Paperback: 170 pages
• Publisher: Cyril Books; 1st edition (July 20, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 097093520X
• ISBN-13: 978-0970935205
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,168,094 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars California's Biggest Naval Battle Brought to Light, October 26, 2003

By 

Douglas B. Wilkins (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Burning of Monterey : The 1818 Attack on California by the Privateer Bouchard (Paperback)

Uhrowczik's concise history of California's greatest battle between ships and shore is an eye-opener. Almost everywhere else Hippolyte Bouchard is characterized as a self-serving pirate, but this book patiently unveils privateer Bouchard's attempts to serve a fledgling country, Argentina, in her struggles with the far-flung power of Spain. Thoroughly researched (In addition to visiting archives in Argentina and Berkeley, Uhrowczik physically examined the entire Monterey shoreline as it pertains to his story), The Burning of Monterey brings the lost facts of a byegone era back to life. This book is one of those wonderful gems hidden in the libraries of the well-read.

3.0 out of 5 stars Bouchard Attacks California--Who Knew?, January 19, 2009

By 

J. Jeffryes - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Burning of Monterey : The 1818 Attack on California by the Privateer Bouchard (Paperback)

This book fills a little known niche in American history. It's short, not complex, but still fills the bill for information.

5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping, Exciting History of Alta Monterey, November 22, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Burning of Monterey : The 1818 Attack on California by the Privateer Bouchard (Paperback)

This is a thoroughly absorbing and interesting history of the travels and travails of a swashbuckling privateer (some say pirate) who attacked the port of Monterey by sea during the days when the latter was the capitol of Spanish Alta California.
Written in sparse prose and maticulously researched, it is nevertheless very readable, letting the excitment of the events themselves capture the reader's interest.