The Age Of Gold: The Story of an Obsession That Swept the World - Hardcover

Brands, H W

4.05

1,508 ratings by Goodreads

9780434013203: The Age Of Gold: The Story of an Obsession That Swept the World

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 043401320X ISBN 13: 9780434013203

Publisher: William Heinemann, 2005

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The discovery of gold by a team of Mormon mill workers in 1848 sparked a frenzy that shook the world. People swarmed to California from as far as China and Australia. They came from England and France, from Ireland and Chile, leaving behind their families and everything they owned in the hope of making their fortunes in the new world. They came by ship and overland, braving Tierra del Fuego and the pestilences of Panama, lured by the promise of gold. In a spellbinding narrative that spans several continents, Brands brings the fervour and excitement of the gold rush vividly to life. The Age of Gold is narrative history at its best -- the astonishing tale of one of the most extraordinary speculative frenzies in history, told by a master historian.

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Review:

"'The extraordinary story of the California Gold Rush... In John and Jesse Fremont, a glamorous couple, HW Brands has found his...heroes of the tale.... These epic expeditions, in their demonstration of human tenacity and courage, mirror many others cataloged here... A spellbinding tale.'" (Rose Tremain Daily Mail)

"'H.W. Brands interweaves individual lives to create one great adventure story, more action-packed than any Western movie ... he builds a gripping picture of an extraordinary moment in history' " (The Sunday Telegraph)

"'At once scholarly, witty and accessible, The Age of Gold organises global chaos in to a vivid, comprehensible whole . . . it is hard to imagine a rangier or more entertaining guide to this period of American history'" (Daily Telegraph)

"A riveting story, told by a born writer" (John Julius Norwich)

"Captivating and vivid... Brands' splendid book captures much of the flavour of this desperate adventure, which featured spectacular winners and losers... Superb" (Frank McLynn Guardian)

From the Publisher:

For fans of Niall Ferguson and William Dalrymple comes 'A fine, robust telling of one of the greatest adventure stories in history.' - David McCullough, Pulitzer prize-winning author of John Adams

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