This engaging book provides a comprehensive overview of California's rich history. From the earliest Native American settlements to the Gold Rush and beyond, Wagner covers all the major events and people that have shaped California's past. With vivid descriptions and fascinating anecdotes, this book brings history to life and is an excellent resource for students and history buffs alike. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.