Anza Conquers the Desert: The Anza Expeditions from Mexico to California and the Founding of San Francisco, 1744 to 1776

No matter how many times one reads about the Anza-Garces expeditions from Sonora to California in the 1770's, the excitement and drama of these epic accomplishments continue to come through vividly. However, it is surprising that many individuals, serious historians and casual students have never read the story, or in some areas of the country, have never even heard of Anza or the priests who accompanied him. With the publication of this volume, that lack may be remedied. This is not just a story for Californians, or for those who love the history of the Southwest and northern Mexico. It is an important part of the fabric of American history. Although the diaries of the two expeditions of 1774-1776 have been translated and published before, no one volume has ever so beautifully told the story of the second expedition which led to the founding of San Francisco, Alta California. Readers have by now become accustomed to the fine books commissioned by James S. Copley and written by Richard F. Pourade, most recently 'The Call to California', but this new volume exceeds them all. Really three books in one, Pourade weaves his highly literate and graphic prose through excerpts of the diaries and letters of Captain Anza and fathers Garces and Font, placing in one volume the best from all these sources. As in his previous works, the author uses not only contemporary maps and other early graphics, but superb color and black and white photographs of locations along the route as they appear today. These views were taken by Harry Crosby and Ed Neil. Crosby traveled the entire route of both Anza expeditions in Baja California, Sinaloa, Sonora, Arizona and in the southern California deserts and mountains. Three paintings by Lloyd Harting commissioned for the volume, treat historic events of the expeditions. Generally accurate in detail, they help bring the period alive.