The Journal of San Diego History
SAN DIEGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY QUARTERLY
Fall 1989, Volume 35, Number 4
Thomas L. Scharf, Editor

Book Notes

Raymond Starr, Book Review Editor

Manifest Destiny in the Mines: A Cultural Interpretation of Anti-Mexican Nativism in California, 1848-1853.

By Richard H. Peterson. Saratoga, CA:R and E Publishers, 1975. Notes. Bibliography. 126 Pages. $10.00 Paperbound.

The publisher has brought a new printing of Richard Peterson’s brief book on the Anglo hostilities toward the Mexicans in the California gold fields, 1848-1853. As one reviewer noted of the original publication, the book “provides clear insights and carefully chosen quotations to illustrate the main point about manifest destiny. It maintains a good balance between the national and local trends that shaped nativism. It is well researched, lucidly written and includes a helpful review of the literature.” While still a good overview, it must be remembered that this unrevised printing is now quite dated and must be supplemented by more recent materials.