A soon-to-be-published book by Joe Dana, great-great-grandson of Nipomo founder Capt. William Goodwin Dana, will be previewed this weekend at the next Saturday Talks at the Dana Adobe.

The book, a biography of the captain, is an outgrowth of a thesis Dana wrote while at the University of California, Berkeley, said a spokesman for the Dana Adobe Nipomo Amigos, which is sponsoring the Saturday talks.

The book synthesizes primary source material on the captain?s life with content from his letters to other Yankee settlers in California during the mid-1800s, the spokesman said.

It explores the captain?s childhood in Boston, his life as a sea trader, his decision to settle in California and his life as proprietor of Rancho Nipomo.

BJust as he navigated the seas as a young man, the captain had to navigate between two very different cultures in California 8 his Yankee heritage and the Mexican customs he adopted when he married Maria Josefa Carrillo,C said Dana, who is also principal of Ralph Dunlap Elementary School in Orcutt.

BThe letters he wrote to his peers reveal much about his personality and character as well as his ambivalence toward Mexican control of California,C Dana added.

William Dana was heavily involved in the Mexican government, serving as alcalde 8 the mayor 8 and captain of the port of Santa Barbara. At the same time, he played a behind-the-scenes role in John C. Fremont?s efforts to wrest Alta California from Mexico and create the Bear Flag Republic.

The South County Historical Society is publishing the book and is currently working with Joe Dana to obtain permission to use various photos and illustrations.

BThis book is a rich source of information on the history of the South County,C said Linda Shephard, chair of the South County Historical Society?s book committee. BJoe accessed primary documents, actually handling letters that his great-great-grandfather wrote.

BThe quotations and descriptions he uses bring Capt. Dana to life, making it not only an interesting historical account but also an entertaining and enjoyable book to read,C she added.

(The talk will take place from 1 to 2 p.m. on Saturday at Rancho Nipomo Dana Adobe, 671 S. Oakglen Ave. The adobe will be open from noon to 3 p.m., and people may bring picnic lunches, enjoy the adobe grounds and participate in a docent-led tour. Admission is free.

For more information on the talk, call 929-2606.)