“In San Francisco, in 1856, at the corner of Montgomery and Washington, an infuriated San Francisco Supervisor, James P. Casey, shot and killed the editor of the Bulletin, who bore the quaint name, James King of William. Casey was arrested and jailed, only to be sprung and lynched by the Vigilance Committee.”

That’s the beginning of “War of Words,” by Simon Read, a lively tale of mayhem, murder, lawlessness, and the creation of the Chron.

Here’s a review that appeared in the Marin Independent Journal by Doug Maloney, a San Rafael attorney and former county counsel in Marin County.