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Publications

The following have been published by ANCHR over the years since our founding in 1971. All publications are available in Special Collections, Meriam Library, CSU, Chico. Download ANCHR's Book and Publications List with Order Form 2013 (pdf) to view the entire collections.

Featured Books and Publications:

John Bidwell: The Adventurous Life of a California Pioneer by Nancy Leek

John Bidwell After a claim-jumper stole his land in 1840, John Bidwell joined a wagon train and left Missouri to seek his fortune further west. After six months on the trail Bidwell stumbled into California, famished and worn to the bone. That was only the beginning of his adventurous life in California. He worked for John Sutter, took over Fort Ross from the Russians, and fought in the Bear Flag Revolt. He wrote the contract for Sutter's saw mill, where James Marshall discovered gold, and discovered gold himself on the Feather River. With the money he earned by mining he bought Rancho Chico and made it into the most agriculturally diverse farm in California.

Bidwell was a pioneer in California agriculture, a state senator, a U.S. congressman, a four-time contender for the governor's office, and even a candidate for president of the United States. His involvement with the issues of Indian relations, Chinese immigration, and women's suffrage mark him out as a man of progressive ideals and human sympathy.

John Bidwell: The Adventurous Life of a California Pioneer, by Nancy Leek, tells the story of early California through the experiences of one adventurous participant. Its intended audience is students and teachers in grades 4-8, but it will appeal to anyone interested in a short biography of a great Californian.

Nancy Leek, author of ANCHR's latest publication, is well prepared to write a California history book specifically designed for young readers. A professional librarian for nearly 40 years, her specialization has always been children's literature, with much experience as a librarian for elementary and middle schools. She has well observed that there have been virtually no books previously written on John Bidwell for children in grades 4 through 8, when local and California History are studied in the elementary and middle schools. Nor are there any age appropriate resources on John Bidwell for teachers to use in the classroom. for

When she was laid off last from her job with the Butte County Library (a sacrifice to budget cuts), she decided to use her unexpected free time to, at last, write this book. She contacted ANCHR as a possible publisher, and are we glad she did. This is a terrific new book on John Bidwell for children, a great read for teenagers and adults, too, and one for grandparents to give and read to their grandchildren.

John Bidwell: The Adventurous Life of a California Pioneer
Nancy Leek, 2010, 118 pp.
ISBN 978-1-931994-25-5
$20.00

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