Tutorow (he holds a PhD from Stanford in American political and military history) carried out exhaustive research on the life and career of California governor Leland Stanford to write this two-volume biography. No detail is omitted as Tutorow describes Stanford's life, with copious citations to the archival material provided throughout. Additionally, frequent inset boxes contain related material. This is a narrative, rather than a critical history; Stanford, who was a railroad magnate and the founder of Stanford University, is presented with a loving eye. The volumes are well illustrated with period photographs. Annotation 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
