Francis Drake and the California Indians, 1579

"Francis Drake and the California Indians, 1579" by Robert F. Heizer is a historical study focusing on Sir Francis Drake's mysterious stop on the California coast, telling of his connections with native Indian tribes. The author looks into different clues like cultural remains, language, and maps to figure out where Drake's ship docked and what the culture was like for the native people he met. The book starts by explaining the historical questions about where Drake actually landed in California. Heizer shows why Drake's visit is important for understanding the early times when Europeans and California Indians, especially the Coast Miwok, first met. In it, you'll find a mix of history telling and cultural study to understand a complex relationship between explorers and native people.