CapRadio Reads host Donna Apidone speaks with author and journalist Mark Arax about his new book “The Dreamt Land.”

California’s water has been a contentious topic since the Gold Rush. Water has been collected, rerouted, bought sold and fought over for years.

Mark Arax is a native of Fresno and a former LA Times journalist. His books include The King of California, In My Father’s Name and West of the West. He has reported extensively on how Stuart Resnick, the biggest farmer in the United States, shaped California’s water future over the last few decades. He also dives into the history of William Mulholland, Luther Burbank and other important figures in California agricultural history.

Today, Insight previews an upcoming episode of the CapRadio Reads podcast featuring Mark Arax in conversation with Donna Apidone. You can hear the full episode later this month.

You can see Mark Arax at the California State Library (914 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, Room 500) on June 4 from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. for free.