Super Short Summary

The Life and Adventures of Joaquín Murieta by John Rollin Ridge is a fictional biography of a Mexican man named Joaquín Murieta who travels to California during the Gold Rush, only to become a notorious bandit after facing relentless racist violence and injustice. The novel chronicles Joaquin's rise as a leader of a criminal empire, his campaign against American settlers, and his ultimate downfall at the hands of lawmen. The novel includes language and episodes of racist violence, sexual assault, and instances of domestic violence.