Customer Reviews

California: A Study of American Character : From the Conquest in 1846 to the Second Vigilance Committee in San Francisco (California Legacy Book)

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....but Royce is a very fine writer, and his book on California history, though penned long ago, makes very interesting reading. At the center of the book is Royce's discussion of Fremont's role in the conquest of California, and the conclusions he draws after interviewing Fremont himself and even showing him parts of this book. Definitely required reading for the student of California history.

I first heard about this book in Kevin Starr's California and the American Dream. I have been reading a lot of California History and wanted to dive into this classic of the genre. I have quite enjoyed this book and would recommend it highly to anyone interested in California's early days. It also has a lot to say to the unique qualities of America's character, some of which are not very pleasant. The discussion of the conquest of California and the frequent episodes of vigilante law are very interesting.

First published in 1886, California: A Study Of American Character: From The Conquest In 1846 To The Second Vigilance Committee In San Francisco is a study providing an early history of California and which seeks to provide a more realistic assessment of the state than most. Josiah Boyce found he could not trust many of the historic narratives about the state's founding, and sought a more candid, realistic view of the pioneers. Fact and myth are contracted in an important history which pulls no punches.