Hardback, 1926 Robertson. “Dawn of the Dons: The Romance of Monterey" by Tirey L. Ford is a historical novel set in the early 19th century in Monterey, California. The book tells the story of the Spanish settlers, known as Dons, and their struggle to maintain their way of life in the face of American expansion. The main character, Don Francisco, is a wealthy landowner who is torn between his loyalty to his Spanish heritage and his love for an American woman, Mary. As tensions rise between the Dons and the Americans, Don Francisco must navigate political intrigue and personal conflict to protect his family and his way of life. The book explores themes of love, loyalty, and cultural identity in a time of great change in California's history.