California
A History
Starr, Kevin
Hardcover
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BOOK SUMMARY
California has always been our Shangri-lathe promised land of countless pilgrims in search of the American Dream. Now the Golden States premier historian, Kevin Starr, distills the entire sweep of Californias history into one splendid volume. From the age
Submit a book reviewBOOK SYNOPSIS
California has always been our Shangri-lathe promised land of countless pilgrims in search of the American Dream. Now the Golden States premier historian, Kevin Starr, distills the entire sweep of Californias history into one splendid volume. From the age of exploration to the age of Arnold, this is the story of a place at once quintessentially American and utterly unique.
Arguing that Americas most populous state has always been blessed with both spectacular natural beauty and astonishing human diversity, Starr unfolds a rapid-fire epic of discovery, innovation, catastrophe, and triumph.
For generations, Californias native peoples basked in the abundance of a climate and topography eminently suited to human habitation. By the time the Spanish arrived in the early sixteenth century, there were scores of autonomous tribes were thriving in the region. Though conquest was rapid, nearly two centuries passed before Spain exerted control over upper California through the chain of missions that stand to this day.
The discovery of gold in January 1848 changed everything. With population increasing exponentially as get-rich-quick dreamers converged from all over the world, California reinvented itself overnight. Starr deftly traces the successive waves of innovation and calamity that have broken over the state since thenthe incredible wealth of the Big Four railroad tycoons and the devastating San Francisco earthquake of 1906; the emergence of Hollywood as the worlds entertainment capital and of Silicon Valley as the center of high-tech research and development; the heroic irrigation and transportation projects that have altered the face of the region; the role of labor, both organized and migrant, in key industries from agriculture to aerospace.
Kevin Starr has devoted his career to the history of his beloved state, but he has never lost his sense of wonder over Californias sheer abundance and peerless variety. This one-volume distillation of a lifetimes work gathers together everything that is most important, most fascinating, and most revealing about our greatest state.
BOOK REVIEWS
Kevin Starr is one of Californias greatest historians, and California: A History is an invaluable contribution to our state's record and lore.
Maria Shriver, First Lady of California
From Juan RodrÃguez Cabrillo to Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Donner Party to the 1992 Los Angeles riots, Kevin Starr captures the fullness of California history in one sweeping and masterful narrative. Starr is not only the Golden States greatest living chronicler, he is also one of its greatest treasures.
Gregory RodrÃguez, senior fellow, New America Foundation, and contributing editor, Los Angeles Times
I am honored to recommend California: A History, this perfect distillation of Kevin Starrs lifes work. He is Californias most devoted lover and most passionate advocate, our patron saint. He transforms an already fascinating tale and imbues it with ineffable magic and grace.
Carolyn See, author of Making a Literary Life
There is no more knowledgeable or insightful historian of the California dream than Kevin Starr.
Richard RodrÃguez
A magisterially authoritative survey of the movementsgeological, political, scientific, artistic, and sociologicalthat have shaped California into the unique state it is today. This engrossing warts-and-all saga is told with a verve and panache that sweep the reader along.
Michael York
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History Books :: United States Books :: State & Local Books :: General Books
MORE BOOK INFO
ISBN: 0679642404
ISBN(13-digit): 9780679642404
Dewey Decimal: 979.4
Library of Congress: 2005043857
Book Publisher: Random House Inc
Language: ENG
No. of Pages: 370
Paper Weight (lb): 1.06
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