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More people should know about this astonishing Mexican-American hero of the Old West. This historical account begins with General Mariano Vallejo's childhood in Monterrey, California as the son of a Spanish soldier who had helped to found the Mission at San Francisco in 1776.
Mariano had some great adventures growing up on the wild California coast. When he was 14, Mexico won its independence from Spain. Tutored by the Mexican governor of California, Mariano developed a strong respect for democracy and the founders of the U.S. republic.
As a young officer in the Mexican army, Mariano went north to block the intrusion of European powers around San Francisco Bay. He built a huge ranch, raised a family, fostered positive relations with the Native Americans, and founded the city of Sonoma. In 1846, when rebellious Americans stole California from Mexico, Mariano put his own life on the line to prevent the outbreak of full-scale war.
In this first-person narrative, he tells his own story right up through his funeral in 1890. Intelligent, proud, generous, and humorous, Mariano Vallejo recounts the founding of California and welcomes us all to its bounties.
Guided Reading Level: M
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