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The Elusive Eden: A New History of California
"The Elusive Eden" charts the historical development of California, beginning with landscape and climate and the development of Native cultures, and continues through the census of 2010 and the election of Jerry Brown to his third term as governor. It portrays a land of remarkable richness and complexity, settled by waves of people with diverse cultures from around the world. Organized in ten parts, each part develops a major theme or issue in the chronological development of the state. The first chapter in Parts II through IX is an in-depth narrative spotlight of an individual or group at a critical moment of change. In Parts I and X, the first chapter helps to place California's whole story in context.
For additional resources, please see co-author, Mary Ann Irwin's site: http: //www.TeachingElusiveEden.com.
For additional resources, please see co-author, Mary Ann Irwin's site: http: //www.TeachingElusiveEden.com.
736 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 20, 2016
This book is one that has been a staple among college state history classes for almost a decade. Regularly updated by its four authors, all of whom are college history professors at various institutions, it is the most comprehensive account of California’s history to date.
The book is broken up into ten separate parts, all of which represent a recognized era in state history. Each part begins with a story of a person or event, which is meant to typify the social struggles present in the following chapters. For this reason, the chapters do not appear to progress chronologically, but this arrangement does make for an imminently readable format. The entire history of California is here, including the Gold Rush of the mid-1800s, the effects of the Great Depression and the two World Wars of the early 1900s, and the major earthquakes of 1906 and 1989. In each section, the treatment of minorities, including Native Americans, is described, and the place of women in each era is examined. The last section brings historical events up into the 21st century. In the back of the book there is a superb list of suggested reading for further study, which includes the books that the separate authors have penned independently.
Though the history of the area where I live is more connected with that of the state of Nevada than it is with California, I felt that it would be advantageous to know the history of the state that I am a resident of. Not all of California’s history is pretty, but then, there is little history that is. However, California’s represents a unique perspective on the human drive to settle new territories, no matter where those territories may be found, or the reasons for coming to them in the first place. Whether it was for land, gold, trade, or just to start a new life, the people that came to California stayed to mold a new state, one which is now known as the richest, most progressive state in the nation. There is a saying that one cannot know where one is going if it is not known where one comes from. This is where the people of California come from, the struggles they have gone through, the obstacles and disasters that have afflicted them, and their unwavering determination to build a better way of life. This is California, the 31st state of the United States of America.
The book is broken up into ten separate parts, all of which represent a recognized era in state history. Each part begins with a story of a person or event, which is meant to typify the social struggles present in the following chapters. For this reason, the chapters do not appear to progress chronologically, but this arrangement does make for an imminently readable format. The entire history of California is here, including the Gold Rush of the mid-1800s, the effects of the Great Depression and the two World Wars of the early 1900s, and the major earthquakes of 1906 and 1989. In each section, the treatment of minorities, including Native Americans, is described, and the place of women in each era is examined. The last section brings historical events up into the 21st century. In the back of the book there is a superb list of suggested reading for further study, which includes the books that the separate authors have penned independently.
Though the history of the area where I live is more connected with that of the state of Nevada than it is with California, I felt that it would be advantageous to know the history of the state that I am a resident of. Not all of California’s history is pretty, but then, there is little history that is. However, California’s represents a unique perspective on the human drive to settle new territories, no matter where those territories may be found, or the reasons for coming to them in the first place. Whether it was for land, gold, trade, or just to start a new life, the people that came to California stayed to mold a new state, one which is now known as the richest, most progressive state in the nation. There is a saying that one cannot know where one is going if it is not known where one comes from. This is where the people of California come from, the struggles they have gone through, the obstacles and disasters that have afflicted them, and their unwavering determination to build a better way of life. This is California, the 31st state of the United States of America.
March 31, 2013
This is essentially a textbook, which I would guess would be targeted at freshmen-level college courses. It covers the history of California from pre-Spanish colonization through 2002. I read the book in hopes of better understanding the underlying causes of some of California’s current political and economic difficulties. I was not disappointed. The most interesting aspects of the book for me were the story of the relatively recent rise of southern California as well as the history of water use issues in the state.
July 18, 2020
I actually read the fifth edition of this book. It was fascinating, and I learned a lot about California. I’m glad it focused on minorities and historical figures who are not discussed as often. It did have a liberal bent but was not too biased.
August 22, 2023
I lived in Los Angeles for nine years, and I enjoyed it. L.A. introduced me to audiobooks as an alternative to road rage. I remember fondly the year we bought Disneyland’s discounted Southern California Resident pass, before they discontinued them and jacked the price to a million dollars a day.
I wouldn’t be opposed to moving back if I could figure out how to afford it, but some can’t understand why I would consider moving to a state that’s a basket case by just about any metric. This history book is helpful for understanding that, truth be told, California has never been anything but a basket case.
The authors of this textbook get their arms around the sprawling weirdness of California by organizing its chapters by periods of history, from the Native American era through to the environmental and water wars at the dawn of the 21st century.
Until I read this book, I didn’t appreciate how much of California’s wonderful strangeness is driven by its geographical isolation. Its deserts and mountains set it apart as an island within a continent, such that even its pre-European tribes developed in relative (though not total) separation from others.
This isolation discouraged Spanish settlement and, later, weakened Mexican control to the point that it fell easily into American hands. Only the gold rush of 1848 ended California’s splendid isolation as a massive horde of treasure seekers transformed a rural backwater into an instant state.
Instant population creates instant problems, and the geographical unevenness of California’s regular and explosive growth cycles have forged a state that’s always large, always evolving, always unstable, and always difficult to govern. I can think of few jobs I’d want less than Governor of California.
One thing the authors of this book did really well is introducing major sections with a chapter on a human interest story, from the “Blind Boss” of San Francisco to the internments of Japanese-Americans during World War II. This brings the history to life, giving you a feel for each period of the state’s history.
The chapters are well written and engaging for a history text. The narrative dragged in later chapters, but that’s common for books of this type. As societies become more complex, they’re driven more by committees, bureaucracies, and movements. It’s hard to summarize these things in an interesting way.
Finally, I thought the authors were even-handed in their interpretations. Exceptions might be a bit of cheerleading for California’s environmental movement, and a bit of disdain for former governor Jerry Brown. They dislike Brown so obviously that it’s actually funny, given how balanced they tried to be elsewhere.
I recommend this as an excellent comprehensive history of California, although I also recommend you make a plate of sandwiches. This is a thick book and a dense read, so you won’t be going anywhere for a while. On the upside, you’ll come away with a better understanding of the state that everyone either loves or loves to hate.
I wouldn’t be opposed to moving back if I could figure out how to afford it, but some can’t understand why I would consider moving to a state that’s a basket case by just about any metric. This history book is helpful for understanding that, truth be told, California has never been anything but a basket case.
The authors of this textbook get their arms around the sprawling weirdness of California by organizing its chapters by periods of history, from the Native American era through to the environmental and water wars at the dawn of the 21st century.
Until I read this book, I didn’t appreciate how much of California’s wonderful strangeness is driven by its geographical isolation. Its deserts and mountains set it apart as an island within a continent, such that even its pre-European tribes developed in relative (though not total) separation from others.
This isolation discouraged Spanish settlement and, later, weakened Mexican control to the point that it fell easily into American hands. Only the gold rush of 1848 ended California’s splendid isolation as a massive horde of treasure seekers transformed a rural backwater into an instant state.
Instant population creates instant problems, and the geographical unevenness of California’s regular and explosive growth cycles have forged a state that’s always large, always evolving, always unstable, and always difficult to govern. I can think of few jobs I’d want less than Governor of California.
One thing the authors of this book did really well is introducing major sections with a chapter on a human interest story, from the “Blind Boss” of San Francisco to the internments of Japanese-Americans during World War II. This brings the history to life, giving you a feel for each period of the state’s history.
The chapters are well written and engaging for a history text. The narrative dragged in later chapters, but that’s common for books of this type. As societies become more complex, they’re driven more by committees, bureaucracies, and movements. It’s hard to summarize these things in an interesting way.
Finally, I thought the authors were even-handed in their interpretations. Exceptions might be a bit of cheerleading for California’s environmental movement, and a bit of disdain for former governor Jerry Brown. They dislike Brown so obviously that it’s actually funny, given how balanced they tried to be elsewhere.
I recommend this as an excellent comprehensive history of California, although I also recommend you make a plate of sandwiches. This is a thick book and a dense read, so you won’t be going anywhere for a while. On the upside, you’ll come away with a better understanding of the state that everyone either loves or loves to hate.
April 29, 2024
Well I think this book is a step in the right direction for teaching California history, it does have some very deep flaws. 5/10
I want to start with what I thought worked out, I think very few textbooks are willing to address recent 20-10 years ago history which was done in this book. I thought many of the graphics were well designed and suited the narrative of the textbook well. There were a lot of interesting people mentioned in here that might forgotten in other books like the early Chinese communities in the central valley, the leaders of the Bole Maru movement, among many others. Individual chapters although long are organized and understandable. This is the best California textbook I have seen.
The most apparent flaw with this textbook is usually three chapters are grouped together for each era of history are in non-chronical order and not organized and the textbook skips around constantly.
I am sure historians in more familiar with other historical sections have their own issues but I find the Native and Queer California history seriously lacking and misunderstood. The chapter on Native Californians generalizes one of the most diverse regions of California and treats all tribes as very similar and glosses over the differences. It basics treats their religions and political structures as all the same despite it factually not being true. Many California tribes have a long history of third gendered people, two spirits, in their societies who performed a diverse set of roles throughout California but the book just reduces that complex identity and history to men dressed as women, just like the Spaniards. Very cool! The California mission's abuses are downplayed as well.
When it comes to addressing the genocide native peoples in California faced in the mid-Nineteenth century, the textbook just kinda shrugs and acts might eh maybe there was a genocide, who's to say", despite the insane amount of evidence pointing that it was a genocide
Although there are numerous queer people in California history this textbook appears disinterested in covering them or the vibrant queer communities CA has been known for.
I want to start with what I thought worked out, I think very few textbooks are willing to address recent 20-10 years ago history which was done in this book. I thought many of the graphics were well designed and suited the narrative of the textbook well. There were a lot of interesting people mentioned in here that might forgotten in other books like the early Chinese communities in the central valley, the leaders of the Bole Maru movement, among many others. Individual chapters although long are organized and understandable. This is the best California textbook I have seen.
The most apparent flaw with this textbook is usually three chapters are grouped together for each era of history are in non-chronical order and not organized and the textbook skips around constantly.
I am sure historians in more familiar with other historical sections have their own issues but I find the Native and Queer California history seriously lacking and misunderstood. The chapter on Native Californians generalizes one of the most diverse regions of California and treats all tribes as very similar and glosses over the differences. It basics treats their religions and political structures as all the same despite it factually not being true. Many California tribes have a long history of third gendered people, two spirits, in their societies who performed a diverse set of roles throughout California but the book just reduces that complex identity and history to men dressed as women, just like the Spaniards. Very cool! The California mission's abuses are downplayed as well.
When it comes to addressing the genocide native peoples in California faced in the mid-Nineteenth century, the textbook just kinda shrugs and acts might eh maybe there was a genocide, who's to say", despite the insane amount of evidence pointing that it was a genocide
Although there are numerous queer people in California history this textbook appears disinterested in covering them or the vibrant queer communities CA has been known for.
November 1, 2025
This was my textbook for an online class about California history, and honestly it was fantastic!
I love just how detailed the book is, and how it is careful to cover aspects of California history that are often forgotten. For example, there's an entire chapter that largely focuses on ethnic hatred and violence which Anglo settlers and miners exhibited towards everyone else during the Gold Rush. There's another chapter which largely focuses on how car culture was both born in and shaped the development of SoCal in a way that is unique in the US.
The book's scope is thorough, the chapters all have lots of book recommendations for further reading, the writing is clear - this is an excellent (if massive) history of the Golden State.
I love just how detailed the book is, and how it is careful to cover aspects of California history that are often forgotten. For example, there's an entire chapter that largely focuses on ethnic hatred and violence which Anglo settlers and miners exhibited towards everyone else during the Gold Rush. There's another chapter which largely focuses on how car culture was both born in and shaped the development of SoCal in a way that is unique in the US.
The book's scope is thorough, the chapters all have lots of book recommendations for further reading, the writing is clear - this is an excellent (if massive) history of the Golden State.
May 30, 2011
This would be an excellent thing to read if you were a high school senior and had a lot of time. It's a good survey of CA history, but not enough detail for me, too much time spent on less important issues (to the exclusion of highly important ones), and, most damning, the writing needs to be much more concise. The authors use way too many words and sentences to convey an idea. The narration shouldn't meander, it should get right to whatever is of value. For the last half of this book I consistently skipped the first paragraph of ever section.
Still, there is A LOT of good information in here, and when the authors are telling the smaller stories that are sprinkled through the book (mini-biographies, shorter treatments of individual narratives) the book can be both informative and gripping.
Still, there is A LOT of good information in here, and when the authors are telling the smaller stories that are sprinkled through the book (mini-biographies, shorter treatments of individual narratives) the book can be both informative and gripping.
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December 21, 2017A pretty good examination of California history, not glamourized in the traditional sense.... it does have a certain slant (of which I'm thinking one could guess, being a California academic production from California academics).
Presents the information in a clear, understandable format. Plenty of references for further-reading (as is to be expected from a scholarly history work).
Presents the information in a clear, understandable format. Plenty of references for further-reading (as is to be expected from a scholarly history work).
July 6, 2016
There were some areas that were so very interesting and others not so much, but I loved learning about my state.
December 13, 2019
I found this to be quite good for a textbook.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews