Beyond the Golden Gate: A Maritime History of California - Hardcover

Beyond the Golden Gate: A Maritime History of California is the first book-length treatment of California's connection to the sea. Here, noted maritime historian Timothy Lynch looks at the history of the Golden State through the prism of the maritime world: we see how the region developed and how indigenous persons interacted with the marine ecosystem. We see how they and others-Spanish, English, Russian, American-interpreted and constructed the oceans, lakes and river networks of the region. The waterways served as highways, protective barriers, invasion routes, cultural inspiration, zones of recreation, sources of sustenance: much as they do today. We see how the Gold Rush transformed the region, wreaking havoc on the marine environment,and how the scale and scope of maritime operations waxed and waned in the decades after that event. In all, the delicate balance between protection and utilization is paramount. Written as part of a project with the National Park Service and the Organization of American Historians, Beyond the Golden Gate is an immersive look at the maritime history of California that will inspire additional scholarship in this overlooked but critically important field. Benefitting from hundreds of primary sources, dozens of captivating images and reflective of the latest trends in the field, Beyond the Golden Gate is sure to satisfy the curious reader, the serious historian, and the maritime aficionado.