"J.S. Holliday--better than anyone, ever--has set forth in one volume the epic story of California's founding era. Here in rich language and full detail, in all the sweep and grandeur of history as social science and imaginative art, are chronicled the four decades of the nineteenth century that shaped California for all time to come."--Kevin Starr, author of Americans and the California Dream "Holliday combines careful scholarship, a graceful writing style, and rich illustrations into a powerful narrative that encompasses a wide array of historical subjects--political, economic, technological, environmental, social, and cultural. The author is an accomplished and widely acclaimed researcher and storyteller."--Malcolm J. Rohrbough, author of Days of Gold "J.

S. Holliday has produced a history as exciting as the gold rush itself. By carrying the narrative of this fascinating and complex event to the end of the century, he enables us to see its impact upon an urbanizing, industrializing America."--Joyce Appleby, coauthor of Telling the Truth about History.