Charles Albert Murdock (1841-1928) left Massachusetts for California in 1855 with his mother, sister and brother. For many years he was editor of the Pacific Unitarian Magazine and one of the state's most distinguished printers. A backward glance at eighty (1921) begins with Murdock's memories of his trip west and reunion with his father, who had settled in Arcata on the Humboldt River. Murdock recalls life in the town and recounts stories of his father's early years on the Humboldt, the evolution of the region's Republican Party, acquaintance with Bret Harte, the printing business in San Francisco, 1867-1910, and the San Francisco Board of Education.

A collection of essays on mining and economic development in California from the Gold Rush through the end of the 19th century. This is the second in a series of four volumes comemmorating the state's sesquicentennial.