Golden Empire

Good characterizations, good historical saga of early California and the large land-grant ranchos' disappearance as land developed.

Three proud generations, whose passion for the land was surpassed only by their passion for each other... It was the last of the giant California ranches, and one family shaped its destiny for generations...Leander Champion Buckles III dominated a room the way mountains dominate the plains. He loved Cira Pico McCartney, the beautiful half-Spanish girl whose dark eyes were flecked with gold. Though they could never marry, together they would forge a Golden Empire. Over the years the passion of the Buckles family nourished and built the land. And, as new gernerations grew up and took over, it was the same human passion that ultimately threatened to destroy the Golden Empire.