Connecting California is an innovative reader that illuminates the direct historical connections between the state of California and the United States. Featuring a selection of key documents, essays, and images from the past, the book illustrates California's cultural, political, and economic importance to the development of early and modern America. Literary and transnational themes are explored to create a comprehensive yet reader-friendly learning experience for students. 

The text progresses chronologically and includes an expansive array of source types designed to appeal to learners of all backgrounds and interests, with topics like food, dress, music, sports, and architecture included alongside more traditional subject matter. 

The second edition features streamlined information to make the text more accessible and approachable, as well as additional primary documents, and discussion around, California Indians, Spanish-to-Mexican rule, and the Fifteenth Amendment, which granted California voting rights to African Americans and Asian Americans. 

Appropriate for all levels of U.S. history study, Connecting California offers students a wide spectrum of resources that embody the unique eras, demographics, and geographies of both California and American history.

George Gastil teaches history at San Diego State University, Grossmont College, and MiraCosta College. He earned his M.A. at the University of California, Santa Barbara, with an emphasis in California history. He has also served as a local elected official in Lemon Grove, and as an aide to two state legislators.

Edward Purcell graduated with a master's in history from San Diego State University in 2018. He is an experienced lecturer in California history.

Bonnie Harris earned her M.A. in history from San Diego State University and her Ph.D. in history from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She is a lecturer of world history and American history at San Diego State University and associate producer for the documentary film "An Open Door: Holocaust Haven in the Philippines."