Gold Rush Books

Roaring Camp : The Social World of the California Gold Rush by Susan Lee Johnson

The California gold rush and the social and cultural forces it unleashed have become part of our historical and literary tradition. Johnson, professor of history at the University of Colorado, provides an excellent survey of the mini-universe that quickly developed as a result of the massive influx of wealth seekers into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, around the town of Stockton. While her story lacks the romanticism of a Twain or a Harte, it offers a hardheaded look at the ethnic and class diversity that frequently led to violent conflict. Yet this is not a one-sided account of the strong devouring the weak. Johnson shows that conflict frequently coexisted with tolerance and harmony, and the eventual outcome was a degree of peace and stability in a new and vibrant society. This is a well-written account that effectively mixes personal stories with broader historical trends.

Gold Fever: California's Gold Rush by Carl Nolter

January 24, 1848, was a day that changed everything. The flecks of yellow metal, found in the American River by James Marshall, proved to be the foundation of modern California. Fortune hunters succumbed to gold fever and flocked to the Sierra Nevada foothills in search of unlimited wealth. The myths of California's gold rush are the subject of legendary songs and tales. Fortunes were won and lost almost daily. The realities behind the popular images were hard and often bloody. Gold Rush tells the story as it really happened in words and pictures. Lavishly illustrated and printed in color throughout.

American Alchemy : The California Gold Rush and Middle-Class Culture by Brian Roberts

Gold Dust and Gunsmoke : Tales of Gold Rush Outlaws, Gunfighters, Lawmen, and Vigilantes by John Boessenecker

Movies and television have created an image of the Old West as an extremely violent place. This is to a large extent false, for most of the West was relatively peaceful during the frontier era. One outstanding exception was California during the Gold Rush. A lust for gold was the driving force behind the conflicts that developed as a diverse group of participants each fought for a share of the promised fortunes. Violence and lawlessness ran rampant in the 1850s, recording the highest homicide rate in the history of peacetime U.S. This is an outstanding collection of true "Wild West" stories told in a most engaging manner.

A view of a worldwide event through the personal perspective of a family which sent a husband, father of an infant, brother, son of an aging mother to the gold fields to seek wealth beyond imagination. The argonaut made daily entries in his diary and sent letters to his family about once a month. The family sent letters to him frequently, and many of them survived. The maps within the text are great, too. The story of finding the diary and the research to produce the book is equally interesting. A good book to read on the 150th anniversary of the California Gold Rush.

Art of the Gold Rush by Janice Tolhurst Driesbach, Harvey Jones, Katherine Church Holland

"Art of the Gold Rush" features drawings and oil paintings of images of the scenery, people, and activity surrounding the 80,000 travelers to California in search of golden nuggets.

'Exterminate Them' : Written Accounts of the Murder, Rape and Enslavement of Native Americans During the California Gold Rush, 1848-1868 by Clifford E. Trafzer (Editor), Joel R. Hyer (Editor)

Traveling California's Gold Rush Country by Leslie A. Kelly

Traveling California's Gold Rush Country, complete with maps and suggested itineraries to capture the flavor of the California gold country, is designed to complement California's Gold Rush Country, the coffee table book. Using this guide published by Falcon, the knowledgeable or novice visitor to California's gold country will be able to see the highlights or explore the details of this history rich area. California's Gold Rush Country, the coffee table book, makes the perfect souvenir of the visit!

The California Gold Rush : A Guide to the California Gold Rush by Eugene R. Hart

At home or on the road, this informative book will help you explore the major events of western expansionism and lasting changes that led up to and beyond the worlds best known gold rush. Each section is packed with interesting descriptions and illustrations designed to entertain as well as add to your understanding of this era. Included are the details of crossing the continent by wagon on the most widely used land route to California in 1849. Or jump aboard a ship for a voyage by sea via the Panama or Cape Horn routes. Once in the gold fields, take in-depth look at the very oldest methods to the more recent technologies miners used to extract gold from the region known as the mother lode. A wide selection of gold rush towns that emerged during this unique period of American history have also been includedall of which you can still visit today and experience throughout the entire length of California's historical Highway 49. Designed for ages 10 and up and teachers who cover California history.

Delos Toole's Where To Find Gold In CALIFORNIA by Delos Toole

This is the only book on the market which has concise,informative des-criptions and directions to the gold site. Researched in the field, on the rivers, dredging and hand panning the many water-runs of California. MAPS with directions to the gold site are very accurate. Rare-earth metals are the new fortunes to be discovered. A memorable guide for the recreation prospector." With maps on almost every page showing the gold sites that can be visited. This book truely is the gold searcher's dream come true. Most US Forestry and BLM FREE-USE sites are easily accessible from adjoining camp sites and road proper.

They Saw the Elephant : Women in the California Gold Rush by Joann Levy

Paint Your Wagon

A corny, fun look at the California Gold Rush, inspired by the Lerner and Loew stage musical. In the script by Paddy Chavesky, a woman (Jean Seberg) solves the female shortage problem by taking on two husbands (Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood).