Description

Golden Gate Publishers [Published Date: 1988]. Hardcover, xxxi, 429 pages. First edition, (with full number line). Very good in very good dust jacket. Green cloth covered boards with gold lettering and design on front and spine. Light bumping and scuffing to edges and corners of covers. Binding tight. Previous owner's name in ink on front paste-down. Otherwise pages are clean and unmarked. Dust jacket has a few tiny nicks and light creasing along edges. Light overall scuffing to jacket as well. Now in an archival quality (removable) Brodart cover. Black and white illustrations, maps. [From jacket flaps] In a zestful, colorful style, Irish-born American historian Pat Dowling brings to life the rollicking saga of the Irish success story in California from the early Spanish pueblos of the 18th century into the bustling economic boom times of the early 20th century. Here are inspiring biographies of the Irishmen and Irishwomen who made enduring contributions to the culture, prosperity, and progress of California and America. Their stories testify how the "luck of the Irish" was unleashed with unique flair in America's "Land of Youth," the Eden of the Golden West. Learn how the remarkable Celts left their stamp on every aspect of California and American history: IRISH IN POLITICS: the savvy and humane legacy of the Irish architects of the State Constitution; Governor John Downey, who built California's Capitol; Lincoln's confidant Senator John Conness; statesman James Duval Phelan. THE IRISH & CULTURE: the "Swan of Erin," songstress Catherine Hayes; theatrical impresario, Tom Maguire; educator Kate Kennedy; and Bohemian Club cofounder and poet Dan O'Connell. ENTREPRENEURS & PATRIOTS: the Irish Silver Kings like William O'Brien; Farmers and Land Barons like the Murphys of Sunnyvale; the Gaels in Marin's "Little Ireland"; and the Fenian Irish-nationalist rebels of the Comstock. AND MORE! The California Irish came from all the professions: the saintly miner-turned priest, Bishop Manogue; the architect of San Francisco, Jasper O'Farrell; the Celtic soldiers, saloonkeepers, and adventurers galore!