The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 44, July 1940 - April, 1941 Page: 276

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Southwestern Historical Quarterly

their civilization; the coming of the Spaniards with missions
and presidios; the planting of the colony and the formative
years; the period of Mexican rule and transition from Spanish
to American control; the coming of the traders, mountain men,
early settlers and true Californios; American acquisition and
the days of the forty-niners-and on through, every epoch and
topic is a stimulating history. Choice of details and characters
is most happy, and the pen pictures and character sketches
are extremely vivid. A fine sense of humor, not biting and
cynical but understanding, pervades the entire book.
There is continuity of movement and development that sug-
gests a vast stage with actors appearing and disappearing-
Spanish explorers, friars, dons, traders, mountain men, forty-
niners, vigilantes, "Robber Barons," politicians, writers, engi-
neers, movie stars, and, currently, the "Oakies." In the presen-
tation of characters the author has rewarded many hitherto
unknown to the general reader of history. Theodore Judah's
contribution to the building of the Central Pacific and George
Chaffey's to irrigation are cases in point. There is a commend-
able restraint shown in this history of the "Golden State"-
the expression is not used in the book-but Professor Caughey's
long array of California's contribution to the economic, social,
cultural, and political history of the nation verges upon a paean
of praise. Why not? Is not every Texan addicted to the use of
"The Great State of Texas?"
The maps are good and the illustrations are excellent. The
commentary on Californiana is comprehensive and illuminating.
Most historians credit Takahira and Elihu Root with working
out the Gentlemen's Agreement (p. 564). The proofreading
is exceptionally good, and the type and general format are
very attractive. If Prentice-Hall maintain the high standard
set by Professor Caughey they will make real contributions to
the history of our country and money for all concerned.
J. L. WALLER.
College of Mines and Metallurgy.
Guatemala, Past and Present. By Chester Lloyd Jones.
Minneapolis: The University of Minnesota Press, 1940. Pp. xii,
420. $5.00.
Most important and too little known among Central American
nations, is Guatemala. It is the richest, the most populous, and

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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 44, July 1940 - April, 1941, periodical, 1941; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth146052/m1/299/ocr/: accessed March 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.

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