Gold!: Madness, Murder, and Mayhem in the Colorado Rockies

by Ian Neligh

"Uncovers a centuries-long story of obsession that often included murder, gun fights, deadly accidents, overnight fortunes and even cannibalism. . . Neligh is a practiced writer whose style mixes history and modern realities seamlessly." - Colorado Country Life Gold! brings together the story of this metal’s glittering legacy in the Centennial State and the madness, murder, and mayhem that came along with it. The book examines the rich history of the miners and treasure hunters who came to face danger and hardships in the unforgiving Rocky Mountains. This story is unique in that it takes a look at the phenomenon of gold, the treasure hunters, both modern and historic, and brings them to life in a detailed and sharp narrative. Author Ian Neligh spent a year meeting with experts and enthusiasts, hearing their stories and trying to understand why it is they continue to do what they do―often in the face of extreme hardship. Modern-day gold miners profiled include Al Mosch, Bill Chapman, Ken Reid, and Chad Watkins. Gold! is the story of an unusual subculture on the rise in the mountains of Colorado fueled by a delicate balance of hope, greed, and loss. It tells the story of men mostly forgotten by the world as they go in endless pursuit of an impossible fortune. It follows miners working their small, dangerous gold claims in mines over a hundred years old, to modern-day prospectors trying to strike it rich and counterbalance the weight of a struggling economy. The book also examines if those who spend their lives in search of riches―ever actually strike it rich. From the author of Spurred Rogues, Treasure Seekers, Bounty Hunters, and Colorful Characters Past and Present , this book will appeal to both history buffs as well as fans of modern-day reality shows like Gold Rush.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Historical

196 pages, Paperback

Published September 5, 2017

About the author

Ian Neligh is an award-winning investigative journalist and best-selling author.

As a journalist Neligh has flown airplanes, ridden horses and dog sleds, run with burros, dressed up as a mascot, reenacted Civil War battles, hunted for lost treasure, investigated corruption, interviewed mayors, senators, governors and film directors - but generally not at the same time.

Neligh helped create the Denver Post’s first podcast program and was featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered” for his work. He has mingled with ghost hunters, broken national news stories and photographed U.S. Presidents.

He developed his passion for storytelling at the family dinner table while growing up in Colorado, where he learned that a good story must be captivating and, if possible, hilarious.

Reviews

[Kinsley C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly good book, but he really only dives into small scale mining in Gilpin and Clear Creek County not all of Colorado. As someone in the industry, I was hopeful that there would be more about towns like Telluride but alas it was the same 5 towns over and over again

[Bea Elwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit all over but still an interesting read. Marked several spots so I can plan future excursions, and it did make me want to try gold panning (a little bit - sounds like a lot of hard work). My favorite parts were the history, not so much the modern prospectors, and I'll never look at Argo Mine the same as I pass it along I-70!

[Jason Rush · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read for anyone interested in Colorado gold mining. A nice mix of past and present. Fun stories and interesting characters.

[Suzanne Roq · Rating 5 out of 5]

I literally read this because I was looking for something to fit the category "a book with a cover mostly silver or gold" for a 2023 reading challenge. I do not regret my choice. This would be very good as a physical book… but the audio was terrible. It was very interesting but the audio was clearly sped up to at least 1.25 speed and/or AI heavy. I’ve never listened to an AI narrated book but I imagine it would be similar. Sentences are scrunched together and there are uncomfortably long pauses between chapters. We have been to and through many of the places mentioned- we have been inside of old mines and have gone mine hunting in Colorado and Utah, looking for mine entrances (which we didn’t enter), ghost towns, and discarded mining equipment. This was an enjoyable and informative read.
Content considerations nothing graphic, mentions of murders, cannibalism, prostitution, drunkenness, mild swearing like h***

[Jonathan Forisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to learn more about the Colorado Gold Rush, and this book definitely told some tales. In addition to talking about the origins of gold fever and covering some more well-known stories like Alfred Packer, Neligh also brought much of the book into the modern day and showed what current gold hunters look like.

I didn’t expect that, and at first was a bit disappointed that we weren’t purely looking at Colorado gold from a historical context, but it truly was interesting to read about people in 2018 who sit in a river panning for gold. There were also large-scale mining operations with vehicles the size of buildings, and more than one person firmly stating that there’s still millions of dollars of gold in the Rockies. There was even a section on bat colonies in former mines!

This book was a great overview of Colorado gold, and I wouldn’t have minded if it had been a bit longer.

[Elwin Kline · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I really liked it." - 4 out of 5 star rating.

Extremely well done book about the mania that consumed the hearts of so many men known as 'gold fever'.

You can really feel how much of a grip the obsession to find gold took over men's lives within this book. An unexpected gift this book offers too is a peek into modern day gold mining and added complexities with regulations and permits that really throttled the industry today. The equipment comparisons between past and present was fascinating too, with the content about miners lung (pneumoconiosis) from old drilling equipment being very interesting and also somber to read about with how terrible of a way that would be to suffer and die.

Wild west fans, gold enthusiasts, Coloradans, history buffs, and more will all really enjoy this one.

[Randi Samuelson-Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is plain fascinating for anyone from around the Jefferson Co/Gilpin/Cripple Creek area, or for someone with a love of Colorado History, mining, geology...the list goes on. This is a skillful blend of current events in a historical context.

Love this book!

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned quite a bit of Colorado history while reading this book. Really interesting.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had some interesting stories.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super interesting and educational story of Colorado's gold-mining history as well as present-day efforts to squeeze a few more flakes out of the ground.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read for book club, and just did not hold my interest enough to finish. It was too repetitive.

[Justin Bunkers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool unique stories. All connect the past, present to future. Interesting stuff but not a on your edge book

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book 10 stars I would. If you are looking for an exciting read, and if you like, Colorado, gold or history, this is a book for you! I've read this book 4 times and I think the author's writing is brilliant, witty and he has a good sense of humor. This book takes you through adventures in the past from surviving vicious wolverines to those that didn't survive cannibalism and everything in between. It has modern day prospectors who go in search of elusive gold through Colorado's rivers and mountains, leading you to some of the most dangerous and unbelievable places. This book seems to cover history, adventure, amazing facts that seem stranger than fiction and much more, enjoy!

[Jeremiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a long time student of history in general and Colorado history in particular, I was surprised at how much I learned reading this book!
It's a well written piece that expertly blends historical fact with electric storytelling to produce one of the finest, most readable books on the subject I've ever had the pleasure of reading. I poured through the pages, often losing track of time and reading longer than I'd intended.
This smart, exciting read left me feeling as if I'd stepped back in time to the old west, tried to cross the Rockies in winter, and risked life and limb in modern mining exploits.
GOLD! kept my attention the whole way through and the ending had me ready for more. Brilliant!

[Teri Reck · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating review of the role that gold has played in the history of the state of Colorado. It includes stories from the Gold Rush of the 1850s up to those of modern day prospectors. The pursuit for gold is not for the faint of heart---those prospectors were, and are, some tough old bastards. Definitely a worthy read for anyone wanting to know a bit more of the character of this great state!!