Customer Reviews

Sierra Crossing: First Roads to California

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
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I found Howard's book to be very informative filled with a multitude of excellent primary and secondary sources that has caused me to increase my library with six new books! Howard has done his homework well, although I could add a new source to his list with the inclusion of Lewis Gunn's, Records of a California Family (page 217) since Gunn describes the emigrants after arriving in Sonora having crossed the Sierras using the unforgiving Sonora Pass route. One can tell he completely enjoyed doing his research through his fine style of writing and comparative photographs. The book is not "insuperable" by any means for the average reader. Excellent!

I bought this book to research westward immigration. It is fascinating and easy to read. Very little has been written on this subject, and being a California history buff, I found it very informative. I learned new stuff about both the Bidwell and Donner-Reed parties, and about Kit Carson, Jedidiah Smith, John C. Fremont, and the Spanish Conquistadors. The first half of the book concentrates on horse and wagon travel, whereas the second half focuses on the railroads. I would have preferred more of the former and less of the latter, primarily because a lot more has been written about the railroads. The book contains two helpful maps; I would have liked more. All in all, I found this readable and informative.

Scholarly yes, dry absolutely. I know the author is a Professor, but you need to appeal to your readers. There was some good research into this book, and it is obvious the author traversed some of the roads himself. However, why not elaborate on some of the tales of those emigrants coming into California. This was a relatively short book, but it took me nearly four days for me to read. That said, the author explores new ground on the hardships of people going overland to California. This is a story that needs telling.

This book is for those interested in California history. It is more focused toward the academic audience, and a general reader has to have a great desire to learn more about this subject.