The Age of Gold: The California Gold Rush and the New American Dream

This is a well-written romp through the discovery of gold in California along with some of its consequences. Using the stories of real people - Sutter, Hurst, Stanford, and so on - the story is given relevance to the present day. Concentrating on people's stories also keeps the pace cracking along. A satisfying read all round.

Amazing the far reaching effects the gold rush had on America and the world. He covered lots of ground with many of these fascinating repercussions being exposed using the stories of known and unknown individuals. Unfortunately it was a labor to read at times. This was due to the jumping around following individual people’s stories and then going way to deep on some topics. For example when he went into detail on the mining techniques I found my eyes glazing over waiting for the chapter to end.

I like to read books about the places I visit. That’s why I picked The Age of Gold. It came highly recommended and it did not disappoint.Gold is found during the building of Sutter’s Mill in California. People began to flood into California, risking death, willing to sacrifice everything for a chance to get rich.Brands hones in on his characters---Sutter, young men headed to California from all parts, Stanford, Hearst---until the book feels more like a novel than a history book. I’m looking forward to seeing the places mentioned in the book. I feel like I just completed a short course in California history by reading this book.

Brands includes exquisitely detailed physical descriptions of key characters. I especially appreciate his ability to tell a story as well as document history.

5166. The Age of Gold The California Gold Rush the New American Dream, by H. W. Brands (read 23 May 2014) I read the author's The Restless Decade on 7 Sept 2003 with real appreciation and so when given this book quickly decided to read it. It was published in 2002 and tells the story of the Gold Rush and how it affected the state, the nation, and the world. It spends a considerable amount of time telling of various arduous efforts to reach California, as well as the effect of the news of gold's discovery on many people. While there are source notes and an extensive bibliography the book can be read as a story rather than as academic history. I particularly enjoyed the chapter on the political events surrounding the Compromise of 1850, show more which includes well-chosen quotes from Clay, Calhourn, and especially Webster. (Reading the Webster excerpt made me feel I was caught up by the oratory!) Some of the technical mining and processing description, while obviously necessary, did not fill me with interest. But the accounts of Fremont and his wife, and of the building of the transcontinental railroad and of its promoters are of much interest. And the summing up chapters and the account of what happened to the people involved in the Gold Rush and its history are well-done. One need not be obsessed by history to enjoy the book and it is easy to see why the author is probably a much-appreciated teacher by his students. show less

Fascinating account of Gold Rush era and afterwards. It affected whole nation afterwards and whole meaning of America. Lots of details on specific people like Sutter and many others.

Well written, well documented story of the California Gold rush. Skillfullly told with many side stories. Perhaps a tad too long.