Yesteryears - a book club about the California history you didn’t learn in school.

With the discovery of gold in 1848, California entered a period shaped by unimaginable wealth and unprecedented violence. From this turmoil, an outlaw emerged. To some, he was a rank murderer; to others, an avenging hero.

In Bring Me the Head of Joaquin Murrieta: The Bandit Chief Who Terrorized California and Launched the Legend of Zorro, historian John Boessenecker cuts through the myths to uncover the real Joaquin Murrieta. Part history, part true crime, the book also offers a vivid look at everyday life in mid-19th century California, including the dramatic social and political transformations that helped shape our modern state.

Please join us to share your thoughts on the book, and the legend of Joaquin Murrieta. Our hour-long discussion will be followed by light refreshments and a chance to chat more informally with your fellow history buffs.