The novel is about an infamous Californian bandit called Joaquin Murieta and it tells the story of a fallen man, who was once guided by moral and goodness, taking a path of revenge, blood and pain. The story gives background to the anti-hero's motives, without trying to justify his deeds.
This story is rather a story about intolerance of mankind, of degradation and humiliation of men by their fellow men. It tries to show that this well-known story about the infamous bandit is a result of the state and circumstances of his time and it serves as a reminder of employing kindness and understanding instead of violence and hatred.
The novel is prefaced by various historical contexts serving as a proof of the main character's actual existence, as well as others from the story. It also contains background on the author's life as a Native American, his misfortune in not gaining anything from his work, and the importance of giving credit and acknowledging his story as the first. The novel was first published in 1854 as fiction but was only later discovered in having a historic background.
