Noted local historian George Emanuels has written this vivid account of the sailing ships and the adventurers who sailed them to California. Here are the accounts of Spanish galleons, English raiders and American smugglers. Explorers like Vizcaino, Galvez, La Perouse and Vancouver are included in the romance that is California's past.

Ships sailed to California seeking sea otters that then brought high prices in Canton. Whalers traded goods to California rancheros for provisions, water and firewood. The book describes the end of sail as represented by the exciting story of the clipper ships. The glamorous clippers were the last to carry passengers by sail to California before the railroad ushered in the modern age.

The hardback book was published in 2001 by Diablo Books located in Sonoma, CA. The book is a first edition of a 550 book printing. The book has black boards with gold lettering and measures 11.25" x 8.5". Each book was signed by the author.