A California legacy book

In this classic collection of stories drawn from his own experiences, the author looks back on his days as a teenager aboard the fishing boats of San Francisco Bay. In the early 1900s, men of all stripes descended on these waters to plunder its rich oyster beds. To stop the run on the waters, a patrol was established. Jack London began his youthful adventures on the wrong side of the law, as an oyster pirate. But conscience and common sense got the better of him, and at the age of 16 he became a member of the Fish Patrol. Dedicated to enforcing the many laws that were passed to protect the fish, the Fish Patrol had many death-defying encounters with the pirates. These 7 short stories, based both on Jack's experiences and those of his fellow deputies, describe these incredible encounters.

An American satirist, critic, poet, short story writer, editor, and journalist, Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914) was admired and feared by his peers in his role as literary despot of the West Coast. Known best for the pithy and acerbic Devil's Dictionary, excerpted in this anthology, Bierce is also regarded as one of the finest storytellers of the nineteenth century. His war and horror stories are especially compelling, while his essays and journalism round out this selection from one of California' s most noteworthy authors.

Offers for the first time a volume of selections from the entire body of Everson's work, including poetry, autobiography, interviews, letters, and criticism.