Contested Eden: California Before the Gold Rush (California History Sesquicentennial Series) (Paperback)

by Ramón A. Gutiérrez (Editor), Richard J. Orsi (Editor) "History, as the study of change over time, always requires that we stop periodically to take stock..." (more)
Key Phrases: hide droghers, mestiza women, valley grassland, Alta California, San Francisco, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
As the first of a projected four-volume collection that will portray the complete history of California, Contested Eden contains a dozen essays ranging from prehistory to 1848. Because it is often common 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 between 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.

Product Description
Celebrating the 150th birthday of the state of California offers the opportunity 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 interaction between people and the natural environment, the ways in which California's development affected the United States and the world, and the legacy of cultural and ethnic diversity in the state.
California before the Gold Rush, the first California Sesquicentennial volume, combines topics of interest to scholars and general readers alike. The essays investigate traditional historical subjects and also explore such areas as environmental science, women's history, and Indian history. Authored by distinguished scholars in their respective fields, each essay contains excellent 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, some never before published.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 395 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press; 1 edition (March 31, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520212746
• ISBN-13: 978-0520212749
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #636,300 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pre-Gold Rush California Essays, April 4, 2000

By	Jay Marlowe (Gilroy, California USA) - See all my reviews

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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Tedious, but ..., October 20, 2008

By	John Bartke "travel my way" (Stevenson Ranch, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Contested Eden is a book filled with information, it is too bad that it comes off so much like a textbook. The stories can be good, yet can also be tedious. It is very helpful in the study of California History, yet can put one to sleep at the same time. I recommend it, but with caution.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scholarly essays about pre-gold rush California., February 11, 1999

By A Customer

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.