The Legend of Joaquin Murrieta: California's Gold Rush Bandit

James Varley's history of Joaquin Murrieta as reported in 19th century California newspapers and county histories is a must for anyone wishing to know more about Joaquin. His extensive footnotes and comprehensive bibliography, his astute observations and reprint of the confession of Theodor Vasquez, are just a few of the reasons why this book is definitely worth the investment. He reveals new facts about some of the California rangers who hunted Joaquin, about Claudio Feliz, Joaquin's brother-in-law, and about Father Blaive, who signed an affidavit claiming he had known Joaquin and recognized the head as his. It is unfortunate that Varley cannot read Spanish and therefore ignored all Spanish language sources. Nonetheless, this book is a valuable and useful resource for anyone interested in the more colorful characters that rode over California's rolling hills during the gold rush.

This is finally a book that tells the truth about Murietta, in wonderful detail. The author has obviously done a thorough job of researching his subject, revealing many things I had never known before. It is a riveting history of this bandit who has become such an icon to Hispanics.