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bookwoman1967's review against another edition
3.0
I know that it's impossible to write a thorough history of a state like California in a book of this length. But still, this is not my kind of history. The beginning chapters are the kind of broad overview that I was hoping for. However, as time goes on (perhaps because there is so much more to cover) Starr instead provides scattershot focus on various episodes and places of the state's history. At one point I remember a long and boring list of authors who wrote about California - and I'm a librarian who likes writers! The book concludes with now dated political generalizations and the election of Arnold Schwarzenegger as governor.
warrensampson's review against another edition
5.0
Exactly what I'd been looking for. A comprehensive history of CA in a digestible size. Really enjoyed reading this book.
mcparks's review against another edition
5.0
A really worthwhile read- every paragraph could be a paragraph of its own. I picked this up because, even as a native Californian and someone pretty well-traveled and studied within the state, I felt like I didn't understand key moments of CA history and had big holes during certain eras of CA history. I think this did a good job at highlighting key histories, places, people, and events, but obviously didn't have the space to provide detail. I felt like there was a good balance between the white-guy does things/big infrastructure achievement and the stories of non-white Californians/working class struggles/the dark and violent stuff. Would recommend- lots of good facts!
jeneliza's review against another edition
5.0
Quick and easy read on the history of California. This is a book I can easily read again and I look forward to referencing it while teaching my son California history next year.
angieinbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I was born and raised in California. I studied it in 4th grade, like all/most California students, but that was my only education on California's history. This is a great and quick summary of a pretty remarkable history. I'm biased, of course, but Starr covers a lot in relatively few pages. There were some chapters that were tedious and tiresome, but I learned some new and interesting things.
carolmm's review against another edition
3.0
A somewhat interesting read. It helped me to understand California before we vacationed there.