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Bring Me the Head of Joaquin Murrieta: The Bandit Chief Who Terrorized California and Launched the Legend of Zorro
New York Times bestselling author and award-winning historian John Boessenecker—as seen on Netflix’s Wyatt Earp and the Cowboy War—brings the authoritative account of one of the most notorious outlaws of the West
Joaquin Murrieta’s story is one for the ages. Fiercely compelling and epically woven, Bring Me the Head of Joaquin Murrieta details the bloody saga of the Latino outlaw. In myth, he embarked on a noble career as a rebel, fighting against injustice in the rough-and-tumble Wild West. However, though the “Robin Hood of El Dorado” remains a folk hero to many, his extraordinarily dramatic and violent saga has been obscured by layers upon layers of legend—until now.
Through meticulous research and never-before-told stories of the bloody trail Murrieta and his band left in their wake, Bring Me the Head of Joaquin Murrieta chronicles their infamous escapades in this brilliant examination of the American story. Award-winning author and definitive Wild West historian John Boessenecker tells the story of Murrieta’s sensational exploits and paints an absolutely gripping portrait of the California Gold Rush era for readers of H. W. Brands and Bryan Burrough.
Joaquin Murrieta’s story is one for the ages. Fiercely compelling and epically woven, Bring Me the Head of Joaquin Murrieta details the bloody saga of the Latino outlaw. In myth, he embarked on a noble career as a rebel, fighting against injustice in the rough-and-tumble Wild West. However, though the “Robin Hood of El Dorado” remains a folk hero to many, his extraordinarily dramatic and violent saga has been obscured by layers upon layers of legend—until now.
Through meticulous research and never-before-told stories of the bloody trail Murrieta and his band left in their wake, Bring Me the Head of Joaquin Murrieta chronicles their infamous escapades in this brilliant examination of the American story. Award-winning author and definitive Wild West historian John Boessenecker tells the story of Murrieta’s sensational exploits and paints an absolutely gripping portrait of the California Gold Rush era for readers of H. W. Brands and Bryan Burrough.
512 pages, Hardcover
First published October 21, 2025
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2582 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 22, 2025
TL;DR: Deeply researched and absolutely blood-soaked, this was a ride.
Source: NetGalley - Thank you to the publisher!!
Structure: I enjoyed the structure, and found myself impressed with how everything came together here.
Characters: A lot of these guys blended together (there is a lot) but our author noted distinguishing things each time it was relevant which helped.
Setting: As someone who doesn’t know anything about Gold Rush era California this did a good job painting it.
Readability: Excellent. I found this easy breezy to move through.
Thoughts:
A full disclaimer here is that I know very little about this time and place in history. I grew up watching Westerns with my Dad and grandfathers but that’s it (and it probably does more harm then good). So this really caught my eye, I’ve heard of Zorro and I don’t know anything about the source - I was down to try it!
As with any nonfiction book we worry about the density of the writing, and how easy it is to read. This one, while it reads slow is very easy to read and engrossing. It’s hard to look away even if what you’re reading is lots of folks stabbing and shooting each other. Which they do, a LOT. The place is given a real feeling and I wasn’t lost at any point in the book.
This story is very interesting. The author cites extensive sources, and works very hard to bring what he believes the truth of this story to light. For an every day reader or someone new to this story and history this was a great read. I kind of wanted another story all about Joaquin’s widow. Her life was WILD.
I really enjoyed this and for History fans this could be a huge hit. Give it a try if you’re interested.
Source: NetGalley - Thank you to the publisher!!
Structure: I enjoyed the structure, and found myself impressed with how everything came together here.
Characters: A lot of these guys blended together (there is a lot) but our author noted distinguishing things each time it was relevant which helped.
Setting: As someone who doesn’t know anything about Gold Rush era California this did a good job painting it.
Readability: Excellent. I found this easy breezy to move through.
Thoughts:
A full disclaimer here is that I know very little about this time and place in history. I grew up watching Westerns with my Dad and grandfathers but that’s it (and it probably does more harm then good). So this really caught my eye, I’ve heard of Zorro and I don’t know anything about the source - I was down to try it!
As with any nonfiction book we worry about the density of the writing, and how easy it is to read. This one, while it reads slow is very easy to read and engrossing. It’s hard to look away even if what you’re reading is lots of folks stabbing and shooting each other. Which they do, a LOT. The place is given a real feeling and I wasn’t lost at any point in the book.
This story is very interesting. The author cites extensive sources, and works very hard to bring what he believes the truth of this story to light. For an every day reader or someone new to this story and history this was a great read. I kind of wanted another story all about Joaquin’s widow. Her life was WILD.
I really enjoyed this and for History fans this could be a huge hit. Give it a try if you’re interested.
October 19, 2025
Joaquin Murrieta is one of the most notorious outlaws of the West. The bloody saga of the Latino outlaw has been mostly myth, Was he really the “Robin Hood of El Dorado”? A folk hero? Whatever the truth his life was dramatic and violent. The legend of Zorro is based on Joaquin Murietta. This book brings his story to life.
This book is fascinating and is more than just the story of one man. History fans will love this. There are a lot of details, facts, information I'd never heard of before. California during the gold rush era was violent and complicated, as was the man the book is about.
Thanks to HTP books for the digital ARC. All opinions are my own.
This book is fascinating and is more than just the story of one man. History fans will love this. There are a lot of details, facts, information I'd never heard of before. California during the gold rush era was violent and complicated, as was the man the book is about.
Thanks to HTP books for the digital ARC. All opinions are my own.
November 30, 2025
The book has a clear and evident anti-Mexican bias. The author claims that Rosa “Rosita” Feliz (Murrieta’s alleged wife) was not raped because the rape was never covered by any local newspaper. Wait what? A Mexican woman never reported it to the local newspaper so that means this never happened? In his view - Anglos could not have been capable of rape, although he accused Murrieta numerous times of violence against women.
In another section, he describes Anglo violence against Mexicans as swift examples of western justice, but the death on anglos at the hands of Mexicans as cold blooded murders.
The research is very weak. If you actually look at his sources, you will notice they are accounts from almost 70 years later. He picks oral accounts that suit his narrative.
He mentions numerous examples of Anglo lawmen showing mercy - which in the 1850’s…was not the case.
He relies mostly on the racist newspapers of the time, without a political analysis of what was happening in the state. Such a gross misrepresentation of California history.
In another section, he describes Anglo violence against Mexicans as swift examples of western justice, but the death on anglos at the hands of Mexicans as cold blooded murders.
The research is very weak. If you actually look at his sources, you will notice they are accounts from almost 70 years later. He picks oral accounts that suit his narrative.
He mentions numerous examples of Anglo lawmen showing mercy - which in the 1850’s…was not the case.
He relies mostly on the racist newspapers of the time, without a political analysis of what was happening in the state. Such a gross misrepresentation of California history.
September 14, 2025
My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an advance copy of this history dealing with the life of one of man who was considered a bandit to some, a Robin Hood to others, a man of myth and legend, who influenced many stories today, a person who like most of the Old West, might not have been what we are told.
For an armed society, the West of 1840's and 1850's was not a very polite society. Miners of Mexican and Chinese origin could lose their claims to better armed whites, and possibly their lives. People looking for meals in far ranches might return later that night to murder their hosts and steal what they had. Vigilantes and lynch mobs would dispense justice the way they felt, hanging and killing people based on rumor, or in the vigilantes case, a way of making money. And of course bandits. As many came to the West, California especially to make their fortunes their fortunes in the gold that had been recently discovered, many lost their property and lives to bandit gangs who would shoot, mangle, stab anyone for the slimmest of returns. Into this the legend rose of a bandit who rode to avenge past crimes, killing gringos, stealing horses and all the time looking for revenge. The murder of a brother, the assault and death in his arms of his wife. A Robin Hood to some, a bounty to others. And maybe a lot myth, as truth in the Old West can be a little loose. Bring Me the Head of Joaquin Murrieta: The Bandit Chief Who Terrorized California and Launched the Legend of Zorro by western historian John Boessenecker is a look at a man who inspired people, gave rise to movies and stories, and the truth that falls somewhere in between.
California was a place in flux, during the early part of the nineteenth century. The territory had recently been taken from Mexico leaving a lot of displaces people, both rich and poor finding themselves in a new place. Second class citizen in their own home. Added to this was the rise of gold fever, bringing thousands of people to make their fortunes. If not in gold in anyway the could. To California came Joaquin Murrieta Carrillo, a man with as many stories told about him as there are spelling to his name. Murrieta might have come from Sonora, Mexico. His first claims were taken by better armed Anglos who forced him to move on. Murrieta might have been a thief of horses, boots from general stores, and more. The legend is that his wife was assaulted and murdered, dying in his arms, along with his brother being framed for the theft of a horse, and hung. The truth might be somewhere in this. The times Murrieta were violent, without a police force, with voids filled by vigilantes, marshalls and sometimes sheriffs. Many crimes were attached to Murrieta, leading to a bounty of $5,000 dollars, that many were eager to claim.
A very well-written and well-researched book about a time I knew little about. Most of my knowledge comes from the Zorro books and movies, who were based on stories told Murrieta. The myth making began in the late 1850's when a writer told a story about Murrieta that was more legend than truth, based on stories he heard, and based on events in the author's own life. Boessenecker has done a really good job trying to get to the truth, showing all that he has found, even when the contradict each other. One can tell this is a real labor of love for Boessenecker, and a book I found quite interesting. This is a violent book, as the Old West was a very violent mean place. Lots of shooting as expected, but this was the day when guns were limited in what they could do. Get ready for a lot of knifework and lance stabbing.
A book that was far more than I expected. A history of an era, and a profile of man who might be more legend than fact, but well as the quote goes print the legend. Western fans will enjoy this, as well as western historians. This is the first I have read by John Boessenecker, I look forward to reading more.
For an armed society, the West of 1840's and 1850's was not a very polite society. Miners of Mexican and Chinese origin could lose their claims to better armed whites, and possibly their lives. People looking for meals in far ranches might return later that night to murder their hosts and steal what they had. Vigilantes and lynch mobs would dispense justice the way they felt, hanging and killing people based on rumor, or in the vigilantes case, a way of making money. And of course bandits. As many came to the West, California especially to make their fortunes their fortunes in the gold that had been recently discovered, many lost their property and lives to bandit gangs who would shoot, mangle, stab anyone for the slimmest of returns. Into this the legend rose of a bandit who rode to avenge past crimes, killing gringos, stealing horses and all the time looking for revenge. The murder of a brother, the assault and death in his arms of his wife. A Robin Hood to some, a bounty to others. And maybe a lot myth, as truth in the Old West can be a little loose. Bring Me the Head of Joaquin Murrieta: The Bandit Chief Who Terrorized California and Launched the Legend of Zorro by western historian John Boessenecker is a look at a man who inspired people, gave rise to movies and stories, and the truth that falls somewhere in between.
California was a place in flux, during the early part of the nineteenth century. The territory had recently been taken from Mexico leaving a lot of displaces people, both rich and poor finding themselves in a new place. Second class citizen in their own home. Added to this was the rise of gold fever, bringing thousands of people to make their fortunes. If not in gold in anyway the could. To California came Joaquin Murrieta Carrillo, a man with as many stories told about him as there are spelling to his name. Murrieta might have come from Sonora, Mexico. His first claims were taken by better armed Anglos who forced him to move on. Murrieta might have been a thief of horses, boots from general stores, and more. The legend is that his wife was assaulted and murdered, dying in his arms, along with his brother being framed for the theft of a horse, and hung. The truth might be somewhere in this. The times Murrieta were violent, without a police force, with voids filled by vigilantes, marshalls and sometimes sheriffs. Many crimes were attached to Murrieta, leading to a bounty of $5,000 dollars, that many were eager to claim.
A very well-written and well-researched book about a time I knew little about. Most of my knowledge comes from the Zorro books and movies, who were based on stories told Murrieta. The myth making began in the late 1850's when a writer told a story about Murrieta that was more legend than truth, based on stories he heard, and based on events in the author's own life. Boessenecker has done a really good job trying to get to the truth, showing all that he has found, even when the contradict each other. One can tell this is a real labor of love for Boessenecker, and a book I found quite interesting. This is a violent book, as the Old West was a very violent mean place. Lots of shooting as expected, but this was the day when guns were limited in what they could do. Get ready for a lot of knifework and lance stabbing.
A book that was far more than I expected. A history of an era, and a profile of man who might be more legend than fact, but well as the quote goes print the legend. Western fans will enjoy this, as well as western historians. This is the first I have read by John Boessenecker, I look forward to reading more.
August 31, 2025
Thank you to Hannover Square Press and John Boessenecker for the ARC in exchange for my review!
4.25 stars
Wow, this truly is a bloody and exciting history of one of the Wild West's most notorious bandits, who I admittedly knew nothing about before picking this up. Boessenecker masterfully paints a picture of brutal adventure in his detailed depiction of Gold Rush-era California and the people who lived there.
As a reader and lover of history, I enjoyed this a lot. The story telling is disjointed at times due to the rapid-fire nature of each raid and murder. It can be difficult to follow the characters and how they are related to each other, but I don't know that this could have been avoided - in fact, I think it rather adds to the story and the setting of chaos. You can tell that Boessenecker spent years gathering the information from newspapers, court records, and personal histories. Given the herculean task that is corroborating Victorian-era newspaper accounts with historical record, I think he did a great job of depicting that the truth of events sometimes lies somewhere in the middle of all the sources we have access to while still maintaining the drama and story-telling necessary to produce a book that people will read.
As a professional editor of historical writing, I do have a few qualms that knocked this down from five stars.
One of the earlier arguments of the author is that Joaquin's purported villain origin story beginning with abuse from Anglo settlers is faulty, particularly with the rape of his wife, Rosa Feliz. The argument boils down to it being "hugely improbably," because rape was rare, it wasn't recorded in the newspapers/court records, and because women were so rare in this area at this time, even prostitutes had respect... I would have preferred the argument had been more substantial than this. Violence against women has always existed and always will, even if it isn't reported to authorities. And heavens knows that it wouldn't be the first time a rapist denied doing such a thing. By the end of the book, the author shares several examples of gang rape that happened in California around the same time, somewhat negating his earlier argument. That being said, I do think that Rosa Feliz's case needs to be taken with a grain of salt, simply because everything with Joaquin Murrieta appears to need that grain of salt. I wish more time had been taken to discuss this proof argument.
I also like to look at citations, which may make me weird. Most looked fine, but some left much to be desired... such as "birth, marriage, and death records of Hermosillo, Mexico https://familysearch.org." If I can't replicate the source, then what good is a citation? Dates, places, record sets... all important. I even found that one citation had the incorrect name from the original record. Nitpicky, sure, but maybe that's the danger of having an ARC reader who corrects historical citations for a living LOL!
This was an uncorrected proof, so I hope to see the typos fixed in the final version. There weren't many, but it could use another pass from a copy-editor.
Overall, I learned a lot and have a newfound interest in a time in history that I was unfamiliar with. And I think that is the ultimate goal of many historical nonfiction books. Well done, and I hope to read more from this author in the future!
4.25 stars
Wow, this truly is a bloody and exciting history of one of the Wild West's most notorious bandits, who I admittedly knew nothing about before picking this up. Boessenecker masterfully paints a picture of brutal adventure in his detailed depiction of Gold Rush-era California and the people who lived there.
As a reader and lover of history, I enjoyed this a lot. The story telling is disjointed at times due to the rapid-fire nature of each raid and murder. It can be difficult to follow the characters and how they are related to each other, but I don't know that this could have been avoided - in fact, I think it rather adds to the story and the setting of chaos. You can tell that Boessenecker spent years gathering the information from newspapers, court records, and personal histories. Given the herculean task that is corroborating Victorian-era newspaper accounts with historical record, I think he did a great job of depicting that the truth of events sometimes lies somewhere in the middle of all the sources we have access to while still maintaining the drama and story-telling necessary to produce a book that people will read.
As a professional editor of historical writing, I do have a few qualms that knocked this down from five stars.
One of the earlier arguments of the author is that Joaquin's purported villain origin story beginning with abuse from Anglo settlers is faulty, particularly with the rape of his wife, Rosa Feliz. The argument boils down to it being "hugely improbably," because rape was rare, it wasn't recorded in the newspapers/court records, and because women were so rare in this area at this time, even prostitutes had respect... I would have preferred the argument had been more substantial than this. Violence against women has always existed and always will, even if it isn't reported to authorities. And heavens knows that it wouldn't be the first time a rapist denied doing such a thing. By the end of the book, the author shares several examples of gang rape that happened in California around the same time, somewhat negating his earlier argument. That being said, I do think that Rosa Feliz's case needs to be taken with a grain of salt, simply because everything with Joaquin Murrieta appears to need that grain of salt. I wish more time had been taken to discuss this proof argument.
I also like to look at citations, which may make me weird. Most looked fine, but some left much to be desired... such as "birth, marriage, and death records of Hermosillo, Mexico https://familysearch.org." If I can't replicate the source, then what good is a citation? Dates, places, record sets... all important. I even found that one citation had the incorrect name from the original record. Nitpicky, sure, but maybe that's the danger of having an ARC reader who corrects historical citations for a living LOL!
This was an uncorrected proof, so I hope to see the typos fixed in the final version. There weren't many, but it could use another pass from a copy-editor.
Overall, I learned a lot and have a newfound interest in a time in history that I was unfamiliar with. And I think that is the ultimate goal of many historical nonfiction books. Well done, and I hope to read more from this author in the future!
October 18, 2025
TW: One unredacted use of the n-word by a white person appears in a direct quote in Chapter 10, Murder in Los Angeles. The lack of redaction or editorial note is the reason I rated this four stars instead of five.
🧭 Initial Vibes
I picked this up expecting a true crime–style Western history, and while it delivered on that, it also surprised me with how much it delved into race, identity, and the messy, violent origins of California. Think: mid-1800s gold rush chaos, vigilante mobs, and historical mythmaking backed by rigorous research and archival photos.
📚 What It’s About
This is a wide-reaching historical account of Joaquin Murrieta, the infamous (or legendary?) Mexican figure alternately called a bandit, a revolutionary, a folk hero, and a villain. Boessenecker traces Murrieta’s life and legacy while also documenting the lawless violence of early California, where Anglo settlers wielded unchecked power against non-white people, especially Mexicans, Chinese immigrants, and Indigenous people.
The book explores how Murrieta’s legend grew after his death, evolving through corridos, pulp novels, and political re-imaginings to symbolize resistance against white supremacy.
💖 What I Loved:
The depth and nuance in Boessenecker’s research. He uncovers contradictions and exposes them.
The attention to racial dynamics, particularly how Anglo-Americans scapegoated non-white communities and how cultural misunderstandings shaped public record (e.g., inconsistent spellings of Murrieta’s name).
His respectful framing of Chinese victims and women’s roles, which are too often erased in histories of the West.
The archival photos—seriously, they added so much context and immersion.
🎯 Vibe Check:
🧠 Thoughtful, well-researched
📸 Visually engaging
🤠 Feels like historical true crime meets cultural history
📚 Academic but not dry (though dense in places)
🧨 Covers hard truths about violence, racism, and white supremacy
🎵 Has a folk ballad undercurrent (those corridos!!)
📝 Final Thoughts
This is a layered, deeply researched account of Murrieta's life and of how legends are made because of the wounds left by systemic violence. It offers important commentary on vigilante justice, race relations, and cultural memory. Despite a couple of moments where the pacing lagged and the aforementioned unredacted slur, this was a compelling and important read.
📍Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
📣 Recommend To:
History buffs with a love for the unfiltered Wild West
Readers interested in racial dynamics in U.S. history
Anyone who grew up hearing the Zorro myth and wants the truth behind the legend
Fans of true crime with historical roots
Educators looking for a book that weaves together race, gender, law, and folklore
🧭 Initial Vibes
I picked this up expecting a true crime–style Western history, and while it delivered on that, it also surprised me with how much it delved into race, identity, and the messy, violent origins of California. Think: mid-1800s gold rush chaos, vigilante mobs, and historical mythmaking backed by rigorous research and archival photos.
📚 What It’s About
This is a wide-reaching historical account of Joaquin Murrieta, the infamous (or legendary?) Mexican figure alternately called a bandit, a revolutionary, a folk hero, and a villain. Boessenecker traces Murrieta’s life and legacy while also documenting the lawless violence of early California, where Anglo settlers wielded unchecked power against non-white people, especially Mexicans, Chinese immigrants, and Indigenous people.
The book explores how Murrieta’s legend grew after his death, evolving through corridos, pulp novels, and political re-imaginings to symbolize resistance against white supremacy.
💖 What I Loved:
The depth and nuance in Boessenecker’s research. He uncovers contradictions and exposes them.
The attention to racial dynamics, particularly how Anglo-Americans scapegoated non-white communities and how cultural misunderstandings shaped public record (e.g., inconsistent spellings of Murrieta’s name).
His respectful framing of Chinese victims and women’s roles, which are too often erased in histories of the West.
The archival photos—seriously, they added so much context and immersion.
🎯 Vibe Check:
🧠 Thoughtful, well-researched
📸 Visually engaging
🤠 Feels like historical true crime meets cultural history
📚 Academic but not dry (though dense in places)
🧨 Covers hard truths about violence, racism, and white supremacy
🎵 Has a folk ballad undercurrent (those corridos!!)
📝 Final Thoughts
This is a layered, deeply researched account of Murrieta's life and of how legends are made because of the wounds left by systemic violence. It offers important commentary on vigilante justice, race relations, and cultural memory. Despite a couple of moments where the pacing lagged and the aforementioned unredacted slur, this was a compelling and important read.
📍Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
📣 Recommend To:
History buffs with a love for the unfiltered Wild West
Readers interested in racial dynamics in U.S. history
Anyone who grew up hearing the Zorro myth and wants the truth behind the legend
Fans of true crime with historical roots
Educators looking for a book that weaves together race, gender, law, and folklore
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2025
This book was surprising, as I didn't expect to get such a thorough account of California history. Joaquin Murrieta is a myth and legend, and also a very real person, who came with thousands of others to California's gold country to strike it rich. Boessenecker lays out Murrieta's exploits during the gold rush period across California. Up and down the state, back and forth its passes and valleys and hiding places, robbing and terrorizing whoever crossed his path. A hero he was not.
Painstakingly researched, we learn about the origins of many places in California that we natives take for granted. How did Joaquin Miller Park (literally 3 miles away from me) get its name? Sonora, CA was named by miners who came over from their home state of Sonora, Mexico, during the Gold Rush. The story of the person the town of Bishop was named after. Interesting facts like these are sprinkled throughout the book.
Back to the bandit. Murrieta was captured (spoiler alert from 1853) and executed, his head taken as proof for the bounty. After this chapter, the story loses steam as Boessenecker focuses on the fate of the rangers who ultimately caught him, the rest of Murrieta's gang, even the woman he left behind. I didn't love that captions from the pictures "here's the famous oak tree in town square where this guy was lynched" give away the story before we get to that paragraph! Perhaps that's been corrected with the book's publication.
All in all, a wild ride, a fascinating journey back in time about some very familiar and loved places in California.
My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Hanover Square Press for the Advance Reader Copy. (pub.. date 10/21/2025)
Painstakingly researched, we learn about the origins of many places in California that we natives take for granted. How did Joaquin Miller Park (literally 3 miles away from me) get its name? Sonora, CA was named by miners who came over from their home state of Sonora, Mexico, during the Gold Rush. The story of the person the town of Bishop was named after. Interesting facts like these are sprinkled throughout the book.
Back to the bandit. Murrieta was captured (spoiler alert from 1853) and executed, his head taken as proof for the bounty. After this chapter, the story loses steam as Boessenecker focuses on the fate of the rangers who ultimately caught him, the rest of Murrieta's gang, even the woman he left behind. I didn't love that captions from the pictures "here's the famous oak tree in town square where this guy was lynched" give away the story before we get to that paragraph! Perhaps that's been corrected with the book's publication.
All in all, a wild ride, a fascinating journey back in time about some very familiar and loved places in California.
My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Hanover Square Press for the Advance Reader Copy. (pub.. date 10/21/2025)
November 21, 2025
As a child I faithfully watched Disney's Zorro never imagining that the fictional character was based on a historically real person. And that real person was a killer with little redeeming social value who was mythologized into something of a hero beginning shortly after his ignoble death.
This is a meticulously researched book on the bloody history of Gold Rush California. As told by author John Boessenecker this was an extremely violent era. In the swirl of robberies and murders, Joaquin Murrieta only arises as the king of the outlaws by good luck and bloody-minded violence. Murrieta was a most successful banditti leader, to use the 19th century term, yet had he not been decapitated in death would he have gained the celebrity he enjoyed beginning in the 1850s to today? I think not.
This is a meticulously researched book on the bloody history of Gold Rush California. As told by author John Boessenecker this was an extremely violent era. In the swirl of robberies and murders, Joaquin Murrieta only arises as the king of the outlaws by good luck and bloody-minded violence. Murrieta was a most successful banditti leader, to use the 19th century term, yet had he not been decapitated in death would he have gained the celebrity he enjoyed beginning in the 1850s to today? I think not.
November 30, 2025
This is a great read regarding 'Zorro'...if you will...the author is a renowned writer and has done an admirable job researching and writing this novel...
Growing up with television in the 50's and 60's, with non-stop westerns, we of course had our history of the 'Zorro' legends...
Now we have 'the rest of the story'...the near to non-fiction as you could probably get to the real story of this amazing man...
If you want a great story, and an interesting 'true' to life as you can get...here you are...
Highly Recommended!
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