from: University of California Press
Regular marked price: $31.95Discount Price: $28.75
Cost Savings: $3.20 (10%)Price fluctuation possible.
How soon does it ship: Normal ship time within one day
Shipping? Absolutely FREE if you qualify for Super Saver Shipping.
Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 979.4
EAN num: 9780520212749
ISBN number: 0520212746
Label: University of California Press
Manufacturer: University of California Press
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 395
Printing Date: March 31, 1998
Publishing house: University of California Press
Sale Popularity Level: 353351
Studio: University of California Press
Other books you might be interested in perusing:
Editor's Notes and Comments:
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 very 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-colour 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.
Amazon.com Review:
As the very 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.
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers 
-
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.
Rated by buyers -
....for my doctoral research, which involves the history of California. The editors made a conscious choice to show this history in less Eurocentric form; Native Californian voices and perspectives are taken seriously, and there is good ethnographic and naturalistic information to be had.
While I'm not an expert in this area, I do question whether the persistent use of terms like "aristocracy," "hierarchy," "wealth," "headman," and "chief" are appropriate when discussing Native Californians. My impression is that our Western and European prejudices are still at work here.
Rated by buyers -
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.
Rated by buyers 
-
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.
Rated by buyers -
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.
Find other books like this one:
