Review by Choice Review
Within the last decade, the early history of San Francisco has received the attention of such scholars as Roger Lotchin, Ralph Burchell, and Peter Decker. The work of these individuals has deepened our understanding of urban history, nativism, social mobility, and demography. Now, the name of Robert M. Senkewicz needs to be added to this list of innovative historians. The main contribution of Senkewicz's book is its synthesis of recent scholarship as it applies to America's best-known vigilante movement. The result is the best overall assessment to date of 1850s vigilantism. San Francisco's history has moved far beyond the days of H.H. Bancroft, who praised the members of the vigilante committee for protecting the city against crime and violence. Readers now know that such a crusade was only one ingredient in the events that led to the takeover of a large American city by an illegal paramilitary organization. The author points out other causes: the widespread antagonism toward the numerous Irish; the economic disasters that often befell bankers and merchants; and the unstable, highly charged politics of the city. Although these causes of the ``Businessmen's Revolution of 1856'' were not unknown to scholars, Senkewicz has provided a highly readable, excellent analysis. Public and academic libraries, community college level and up.-G. Thompson, University of Toledo.
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
