California 1850: A Snapshot in Time (Travel and Local Interest) [Paperback]

Janice Marschner (Author), Marschner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2001 | Series: Travel and Local Interest

"California 1850 - A Snapshot in Time" focuses on California life and culture in the year of statehood. It captures the delight of those interested in California history, from novices to seasoned history buffs.

The book also makes a useful travel companion with its lists of historical sites and museums to visit in each county.

Maps, photographs, rancho charts, biographical sidebars, and endnotes full of intriguing bits of information add interest that will extend the life of the book well into the new millennium.

An introductory chapter summarizes the history of California before 1850 and describes California's government, architecture, modes of transportation, and industry in 1850. A special section in the introduction describes the colorful society in the Gold Country, as well as the gold mining methods of the time.

The other 27 chapters correspond with the original counties. Where appropriate, these chapters are divided into sections that describe the areas that later became the other 31 counties that exist today.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...an astonishing, organized, literate history of California that shines with authority, captivating trivia and gentle lessons for Californians. -- Superior Court Judge Quentin L. Kopp and former California State Senator from San Francisco

...this snapshot describes the state at its birth and gives Californians an idea of how far they've come. -- The San Diego Tribune

...unique approach: take one pivotal year and mine it for all the ore and lore it contains. -- Dr. Kevin Starr, State Librarian of California

Marschner's book tells an old story in a fresh way. Tops are charts listing 1850 Rancho ownerships and tour suggestions. -- The Sacramento Bee

From the Publisher

"California 1850 - A Snapshot in Time" has been tremendously successful in its first year of publication. It was the recipient of a number of awards from the Sacramento Publishers Association, including the Gold Award for Best Book Overall. People continue to value it as a wonderful reference and gift book. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Coleman Ranch Press; 2nd edition (March 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967706947
• ISBN-13: 978-0967706948
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,176,055 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area (Walnut Creek) and have lived in Sacramento since 1973, with a short hiatus in Yreka'20 miles south of the California/Oregon border'to try small town living with my husband and two young children. My parents grew up in Eugene, Oregon, and I spent many summers visiting my grandmother in Eugene.

I graduated from the University of California, Davis, in international relations and earned a master's degree in public policy and administration at California State University,
Sacramento. Before retiring early to pursue my interest in regional history and writing, I worked for a state senator from San Francisco and as a legislative analyst for the State of California.

My first book, 'California 1850: A Snapshot in Time', commemorated California's sesquicentennial in 2000. My second book, 'California's Arab Americans', documented the contributions of California's early pioneers from the Arab world. Since my first book has continued to be popular over its eight-year life, I decided Oregon deserved to have a similar one to commemorate its sesquicentennial in 2009'especially since my late parents were native Oregonians. On my 2008 book tour, I hope to stir up enthusiasm about Oregon's upcoming historic year (see http://www.oregon150.org/ and I plan to return to Oregon in 2009 to join in on the festivities'if travel costs are not too prohibitive. My schedule appears on my author page of my publisher's website: http://www.timberpress.com.

If you attend any of my events, please introduce yourself. I always love meeting new people and I am especially interested in chatting with people who are descendants of Oregon pioneers or California transplants. By the way, I will have some copies of my two earlier books with me, so if you're interested in one of them, please let me know and I'll sign them for you.

Many of you know that I published my first two books myself and served as president of my local publisher's association'always trying to help other authors learn how to best market their books through the programs our association offered. With 'Oregon 1859' I had an entirely new learning experience of having it published by Timber Press in Portland, Oregon. All of the staff have been wonderful to work with and I am extremely proud of the final product.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thumbs up from a fourth generation California native son., August 3, 2000

By 

Lee Shackelton (Mariposa, CA. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: California 1850 : A Snapshot in Time (Paperback)

"California 1850, A Snapshot in Time" stands out as a unique, artfully researched "Must Read" entry into the family of literary ventures dedicated to California's early history. "Unique" in that Janice Marschner has focused on the colorful and action-filled events which launched California into statehood exactly 150 years ago. The author has fleshed out the swirl of activities taking place in "Year One" of the evolution of annual events which have brought us to the exciting California State sequecentennial celebrations of the year 2000. How incredibly timely for such a beautifully written and superbly illustrated masterpiece of Western history.

5.0 out of 5 stars A riveting, informative, and unique county-by-county look, April 9, 2002

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: California 1850: A Snapshot in Time (Travel and Local Interest) (Paperback)

California 1850: A Snapshot In Time by native Californian and history buff Janice Marschner is a riveting, informative, and unique county-by-county look at the state of California over one hundred and fifty years ago. Filled with black-and-white photographs, tables, maps, historical sites to visit, and a first-class survey of the notable events in the history of the state, California 1850 is the perfect reading selection for students of California history and the non-specialist general reader wanting to know more about this great Western and influential American state!

4.0 out of 5 stars CALIFORNIA NUGGETS, August 2, 2000

By 

John Poimiroo (El Dorado Hills, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: California 1850 : A Snapshot in Time (Paperback)

This fascinating book is a snapshot of what California was like in 1850, the year it became a state. There's something for anyone who loves California or its history, as the book is divided by California county and is filled with brief and tantalizing historical tid bits. Begin by reading about your favorite county. You'll find yourself returning to discover nuggets throughout the book. One great travel idea is to keep this book in your car; then you've got a quick history guide wherever you travel throughout the Golden State.