{"product_id":"up-and-down-california-in-1860-1864-the-journal-of-william-h-brewer-9780520238657","title":"Up and Down California in 1860-1864: The Journal of William H. Brewer","description":"\u003ch2\u003eUp and Down California in 1860-1864: The Journal of William H. Brewer\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\nIn 1860 William Brewer, a young Yale-educated teacher of the natural sciences and a recent widower, eagerly accepted an offer from Josiah Whitney to assist in the first geological survey of the state of California. Brewer was not a geologist, but his training in agriculture and botany made him an invaluable member of the team. He traveled more than fourteen thousand miles in the four years he spent in California and spent much of his leisure time writing lively, detailed letters to his brother back East.\n\n\u003ch2\u003eComplete Collection of Historical Letters\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\nThese warmly affectionate letters, presented here in their entirety, describe the new state in all its spectacular beauty and paint a vivid picture of California in the mid-nineteenth century. Brewer's correspondence provides an unfiltered view of California during a transformative period, capturing the landscape, people, and challenges of the era with remarkable detail and authenticity.\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFourth Edition Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\nThis fourth edition includes a new foreword by William Bright, author of \u003ci\u003e1500 California Place Names\u003c\/i\u003e, and a set of maps tracing Brewer's route throughout California. These additions enhance the reader's understanding of Brewer's extensive travels across the state's diverse terrain, from coastal regions to mountain ranges.\n\n\u003ch2\u003eA Firsthand Account of 1860s California\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\nBrewer's journal offers invaluable insights into California's geological features, natural resources, and early development during the post-Gold Rush period. His background in agriculture and botany provided unique perspectives on California's flora, fauna, and potential for development. The fourteen thousand miles he covered during the survey represent one of the most comprehensive explorations of California during this critical period in the state's history.\n\n\u003ch2\u003eEssential Reading for History Enthusiasts\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\nPublished by University of California Press, this primary source document serves as an essential resource for understanding mid-nineteenth century California. The journal combines scientific observation with personal narrative, making it accessible to both academic readers and general history enthusiasts interested in Western expansion, geological exploration, and California's formative years as a state.","brand":"University of California Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50680636375314,"sku":"9780520238657","price":30.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_a9ed3ce9-3771-4536-bafe-9155f45fc76e.jpg?v=1734923536","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/up-and-down-california-in-1860-1864-the-journal-of-william-h-brewer-9780520238657","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}