What do you think?
Rate this book
Bear Flag Rising: the Conquest of California, 1846
Presents a history of the land now called California, from the time before the first Europeans arrived, to the dominance of Mexico, to the ultimate war that brought the territory under American control
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
320 pages, Paperback
First published July 2, 1999
12 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 9, 2020
California is known as the Golden State. The 1849 Gold Rush comes to mind when one hears the state's nickname but it is also for the golden colours that dominate during the summer, when green hills turn golden-yellow and show off mightily against blue skies. It's also the Golden State within industry, boasting the 5th largest economy in the world, even though it's not an independent nation. Then there's Hollywood which has mined gold on the big screens and the little screens. Oh yes, and the Golden Gate which opens into the capital of the tech world. Lots of gold.
This book details the rise of the Bear Flag with all its unexpected parties. Spaniards, Mexicans, Russians, Californios, Europeans, Americans all combined to create a land which still draws in the lookie-loos all year round. You can be in the desert in the morning, the mountains by noon, and on the beach in the afternoon. As we like to say, "Thanks for coming. Now turn around and go home".
Before the Bear Flag rising began, California had been the domain of the Spanish Empire, where despite the magnificent weather and the fertile soil, it was a forgotten land. The Mexican War of Independence made the territory just another administrative sector of Mexico, as remote as before. Meanwhile, the Spanish-descended caste-conscious landowners known as the Californios became increasingly distant from the Mexican government, resulting in the Battle of the Cahuenga Pass in 1831 and the fleeing of the Mexican governor. Yet, the Californios depended upon foreign trade as there was no manufacturing to provide final products. The situation was ripe for intrigue.
Into this laid-back atmosphere came the names that now predominate in the naming of streets and cities throughout the state. Fremont. Carson. Vallejo. Kearney. Stockton. Pico. Montgomery. Sutter. Sloat. Larkin. Castro. Independent American opportunists developed into American government opportunists as President Polk wanted California to be the completed jewel of the Manifest Destiny concept and what Polk wanted, Polk took.
What is amazing is that anything was accomplished at all. The Californios fought against each other, Abajeno (south of San Luis Obispo) versus Aribeno (north of San Luis Obispo). The Americans were more interested in personal glory with Kearney and Stockton stepping on their own toes and Fremont trying to keep his head above it all. Inevitably, the Bear Flag Republic became the State of California but it was quite an adventure.
The author keeps everything tied together as the myriad personalities highlight the chapters. The history is there, going back to the actual natives who were basically wiped out during the Pastoral Era when 82,000 natives worked as feudal peons for the Spanish missions. In that time, more than two thirds would die of European diseases. There is the Russian colony of Fort Ross and the entrepreneurship of John Sutter, a Swiss emigrant who held both Mexican and American citizenship. Quite an adventure.
And thanks for coming. Now go home.
Book Season = Summer (ripening grapes)
This book details the rise of the Bear Flag with all its unexpected parties. Spaniards, Mexicans, Russians, Californios, Europeans, Americans all combined to create a land which still draws in the lookie-loos all year round. You can be in the desert in the morning, the mountains by noon, and on the beach in the afternoon. As we like to say, "Thanks for coming. Now turn around and go home".
Before the Bear Flag rising began, California had been the domain of the Spanish Empire, where despite the magnificent weather and the fertile soil, it was a forgotten land. The Mexican War of Independence made the territory just another administrative sector of Mexico, as remote as before. Meanwhile, the Spanish-descended caste-conscious landowners known as the Californios became increasingly distant from the Mexican government, resulting in the Battle of the Cahuenga Pass in 1831 and the fleeing of the Mexican governor. Yet, the Californios depended upon foreign trade as there was no manufacturing to provide final products. The situation was ripe for intrigue.
Into this laid-back atmosphere came the names that now predominate in the naming of streets and cities throughout the state. Fremont. Carson. Vallejo. Kearney. Stockton. Pico. Montgomery. Sutter. Sloat. Larkin. Castro. Independent American opportunists developed into American government opportunists as President Polk wanted California to be the completed jewel of the Manifest Destiny concept and what Polk wanted, Polk took.
What is amazing is that anything was accomplished at all. The Californios fought against each other, Abajeno (south of San Luis Obispo) versus Aribeno (north of San Luis Obispo). The Americans were more interested in personal glory with Kearney and Stockton stepping on their own toes and Fremont trying to keep his head above it all. Inevitably, the Bear Flag Republic became the State of California but it was quite an adventure.
The author keeps everything tied together as the myriad personalities highlight the chapters. The history is there, going back to the actual natives who were basically wiped out during the Pastoral Era when 82,000 natives worked as feudal peons for the Spanish missions. In that time, more than two thirds would die of European diseases. There is the Russian colony of Fort Ross and the entrepreneurship of John Sutter, a Swiss emigrant who held both Mexican and American citizenship. Quite an adventure.
And thanks for coming. Now go home.
Book Season = Summer (ripening grapes)
January 14, 2020
This is a quick and easy read about the conquest of California and its place in the Mexican-American War. Dale Walker tells the story of the United States' blatant imperialism by focusing on the roles of John Charles Fremont, Robert Field Stockton, and Stephen Watts Kearny. Walker does a good job of showing the faults, particularly the hubris of these men as they battled not only the local residents, but each other in gaining control of California. By focusing on the conquerors, however, the author fails to give a full account of this history from the perspective of the vanquished. Another failing of this book, is that the author relies on secondary sources instead of interpreting primary source accounts. Overall this is a decent introduction to this period, but would recommend readers to include this work with others about this period of history. Should interest history buffs, particularly those interested in California history.
January 21, 2024
A popular history that focuses on the conflicts and rivalries between John C. Frémont, Commodore Robert Field Stockton, and Colonel Stephen Watts Kearney. Walker presents the three of them in all their flaws and glory, and gives the reader a feel for some of their pals and relatives as well, but the further you get from those three the less info he offers. It doesn't seem to have been much of conquest -- one gets the impression the Californians might not have resisted at all if the American representatives over them hadn't been such idiots.
No doubt there would've been a lot more resistance had people realized what land speculators would do to the landowners of Mexican California afterwards through the US courts; this book, like most of them, says the gold rush ruined John Sutter, but the fact that his land rights were ultimately denied in the US courts is what likely hurt the most.
No doubt there would've been a lot more resistance had people realized what land speculators would do to the landowners of Mexican California afterwards through the US courts; this book, like most of them, says the gold rush ruined John Sutter, but the fact that his land rights were ultimately denied in the US courts is what likely hurt the most.
November 13, 2018
I’m glad I read Bear Flag Rising - The Conquest of California 1846 by Dale Walker. As its title suggests, it is about the U.S.’s takeover of California (as well as other territory held by Mexico.) I found the descriptions of the characters, and the book itself, very interesting. Living in San Francisco, one is acquainted with the names of streets and nearby cities with historic significance. Now when I see streets named Montgomery (where I have spent the bulk of my professional life) Kearney, Stockton, Vallejo, Polk, Fremont, it triggers the information I learned about the conquest.
Reading this history with modern sensibilities does not leave one proud of the U.S.’s conduct. Mexico did not provoke the U.S. to take any action resulting in the seizure of California and other western territories.
Reading this history with modern sensibilities does not leave one proud of the U.S.’s conduct. Mexico did not provoke the U.S. to take any action resulting in the seizure of California and other western territories.
March 19, 2017
This is a very easy read of the wild and crazy founding of American rule over California. Laced with clashing, strong personalities it is a highly improbable story of adventure (but true). Not bad history though
May 7, 2018
Great introduction to a strange, disturbing aspect to the settling of California and how it ties into the disturbing formation of America as we know it.
February 1, 2019
A very well written book. Perhaps a replacement for current text in Cal Hist.
July 3, 2024
Read this as background for a magazine article I will be writing about a game on the military conflict pursuant to the US seizure of Alto California.
I had expected this to be a ponderous tome. It is anything but such. The author is agile in their switching between protagonists - in this case antagonists- and geographic settings. Nor do they leave out the native people, nor the tribes. Giving the perfect amount of background, and leavening it with historic record, this obscure and neglected history comes to life. The outcome resultant belies the small numbers of belligerents and the paucity of resources in this conflict.
The game I referenced is “Bear Flag Republic,” available from the irrepressible Jack Greene at quarterdeckinternational.com
I had expected this to be a ponderous tome. It is anything but such. The author is agile in their switching between protagonists - in this case antagonists- and geographic settings. Nor do they leave out the native people, nor the tribes. Giving the perfect amount of background, and leavening it with historic record, this obscure and neglected history comes to life. The outcome resultant belies the small numbers of belligerents and the paucity of resources in this conflict.
The game I referenced is “Bear Flag Republic,” available from the irrepressible Jack Greene at quarterdeckinternational.com
May 22, 2008
A must read for people interested in CA history, unfortunately, this portion of CA history is not that interesting.
October 23, 2011
Walker provides a fascinating and thorough history of California's early days, but I had a hard time getting through this book.
September 8, 2013
This book struck a nice balance between serious scholarship and accessible storytelling. Also painted a fairly balanced portrait of guys like Fremont and Stockton.
February 22, 2014
Great
very informative and detailed. a bit dull at times, but for the sake of detail it needs to be. beyond satisfied with the purchase of this book.
very informative and detailed. a bit dull at times, but for the sake of detail it needs to be. beyond satisfied with the purchase of this book.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews