Echoes of the Past

by John Bidwell

1928. Edited by Milo Milton Quaife, secretary and editor of the Burton Historical Collection. This volume contains the recitals of the experiences of two migrants from the Middle West to California, John Bidwell and John Steele. Bidwell's narrative chronicles the displacement of the California of the old regime by the newcomers. While Steele's is a realistic and typical portrait of the common run of miners' experiences and affords an excellent picture of the hazards and thrills, the joys and disappointments suffered by the Argonauts.

91 pages, Hardcover

Reviews

[Forked Radish · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating record of early California. The perfidy of its early residents has blossomed into the fleur du mal that is contemptible contemporary California. Supplemented, of course, by the dregs of the East Coast i.e. hippies aka bums.

[Meleya]

I really enjoyed this little book. I think it is a collection of articles published near the end of General John Bidwell's life. He was an amazing character and I actually wished the book was longer. It is amazing how this country is so connected. Previously I had been reading about one of the "Ice Kings" in a Mental Floss article and here is the same guy on the trail to California. Crazy. Good read, super quick.