Title: A Bit Overdone, but Just a Bit
Review: This novel revealed a lot of historical facts to me. Most were relevant to the plot, but some were just showing off. I find the other reviews very thorough, and I DID like the book, despite some things I could not accept. A devoutly religious pyrotechnic, Drumont's chase from Paris to San Francisco (mainly across uncharted territory in 1848) and actually landing (with many convenient coincidences) on Ben Knowles's doorstep, Duff Lucking taking up with the Indians and actually "becoming one." I was born in New York and have lived in the San Francisco Bay Area (10 years apiece) and learned MUCH about both areas that I did NOT know previously, though I think Caleb Carr fits his research in more smoothly. I also discovered why California is the most expensive state to live in--once gold was discovered there, prices immediately inflated and they've never in 160 years stopped! Otherwise, a very fine book.
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