What do you think?
Rate this book
Gold!: The Story of the 1848 Gold Rush and How It Shaped a Nation
On January 24, 1848, as carpenter James Marshall worked on building a sawmill at John Sutter's Fort, east of Sacramento, California, he accidentally discovered a pea-sized nugget of gold in a ditch. Just like that, the scope of the American myth changed. From 1848 to 1850, 90,000 people trekked across the continent; by 1854, that figure had risen to 300,000. Representing every ethnic group, more than ten percent of the American population migrated to California's gold fields in six years. Defying disease, crime, the depradations of nature, and each other, fortune hunters risked all for the slim chance of riches. The Gold Rush marked the moment when people stopped believing that hard work leads to a good life, which then leads to a good afterlife. They started believing, instead, that anyone could strike it rich. Americans thus began their phantom pursuit of wealth, a pursuit that continues to this day.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
25 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Fred Rosen
42 books60 followersAmerican true crime author and former columnist for the Arts and Leisure Section of The New York Times.
Rosen's published works in the genre include Lobster Boy, There But For the Grace: Survivors of the 20th Century’s Infamous Serial Killers and When Satan Wore a Cross.
He is also the winner of Library Journal’s Best Reference Source 2005 award for The Historical Atlas of American Crime, and has written many other works of historical non-fiction including Cremation in America, Contract Warriors and Gold!.
Rosen's published works in the genre include Lobster Boy, There But For the Grace: Survivors of the 20th Century’s Infamous Serial Killers and When Satan Wore a Cross.
He is also the winner of Library Journal’s Best Reference Source 2005 award for The Historical Atlas of American Crime, and has written many other works of historical non-fiction including Cremation in America, Contract Warriors and Gold!.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 20, 2015
Gold!: The Story of the 1848 Gold Rush and How It Shaped a Nation by Fred Rosen is a recommended nonfiction account of the historical California gold rush and how it changed American culture.
When gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill in California on January 24, 1848, it infected the nation with gold fever. "Over the next six years, three hundred thousand prospectors raced to the California gold fields to make their fortunes, leaving their lands and families behind in order to chase a dream of easy wealth, but all too often encountering a reality of lawlessness, disease, cruelty, and death."
Rosen, a former columnist for the New York Times, weaves historical facts and details into this account of the real people and places of the gold rush era and the get-rich-quick mentality it ignited in average citizens. He argues, while presenting the historical information on the discovery of gold and the subsequent gold rush, that once the common man could dream of instant wealth it fundamentally changed American culture to one of selfishness and greed.
Having read several books on the California gold rush (as well as the Black Hills discovery and the Nevada Comstock Lode which are mentioned too) I did find Rosen's account easy to read and basically informative. Since I read it while on vacation, it suited me perfectly under the circumstances. I am admittedly unsure of his Jesse James argument. Those who follow my reviews will understand that the lack of source notes and very short bibliography bothered me; I like my nonfiction to have some great notes and a thorough bibliography.
Disclosure: My Kindle edition was courtesy of Open Road Media for review purposes.
When gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill in California on January 24, 1848, it infected the nation with gold fever. "Over the next six years, three hundred thousand prospectors raced to the California gold fields to make their fortunes, leaving their lands and families behind in order to chase a dream of easy wealth, but all too often encountering a reality of lawlessness, disease, cruelty, and death."
Rosen, a former columnist for the New York Times, weaves historical facts and details into this account of the real people and places of the gold rush era and the get-rich-quick mentality it ignited in average citizens. He argues, while presenting the historical information on the discovery of gold and the subsequent gold rush, that once the common man could dream of instant wealth it fundamentally changed American culture to one of selfishness and greed.
Having read several books on the California gold rush (as well as the Black Hills discovery and the Nevada Comstock Lode which are mentioned too) I did find Rosen's account easy to read and basically informative. Since I read it while on vacation, it suited me perfectly under the circumstances. I am admittedly unsure of his Jesse James argument. Those who follow my reviews will understand that the lack of source notes and very short bibliography bothered me; I like my nonfiction to have some great notes and a thorough bibliography.
Disclosure: My Kindle edition was courtesy of Open Road Media for review purposes.
March 8, 2019
A very good book primarily about the California Gold Rush and not only how it unfolded but its effect on the United States and the rest of the world. While not always an easy read due to the numerous quotations of period writings, it’s nonetheless entertaining and educational. Recommended for anyone interested in California history and/or the history of the Old West.
May 19, 2017
Rollicking good story
Mr Rosen brings to life the story most Americans have heard or read about in history class. This book tells about how this significant event fits into regional, national and even international history. Engaging and readable. Excellent.
Mr Rosen brings to life the story most Americans have heard or read about in history class. This book tells about how this significant event fits into regional, national and even international history. Engaging and readable. Excellent.
March 18, 2025
I want this book to be so much better. The topic is great and the book does contain some interesting information, anecdotes, and histories. The book would have benefits from an editor, both for copy editing and Turing this book into a comprehensive and succinct narrative.
I appreciate the other uses primary sources, but over half the book is just copy and pasting large quotes with little original commentary.
I appreciate the other uses primary sources, but over half the book is just copy and pasting large quotes with little original commentary.
March 1, 2020
Good.
This is a great book about the gold rush in California. The ending really summarizes our mindset even to this day, Get Rich Quick. Very few will become rich and most will not. Guess that’s why so many play the lottery today.
This is a great book about the gold rush in California. The ending really summarizes our mindset even to this day, Get Rich Quick. Very few will become rich and most will not. Guess that’s why so many play the lottery today.
August 22, 2025
Nephew Colin,
This felt like reading a high school essay. And if you're going to write a history book, maybe double check your dates. 1976 used in error of 1876 was amusing but also made me doubt everything else.
Aunt Amanda
This felt like reading a high school essay. And if you're going to write a history book, maybe double check your dates. 1976 used in error of 1876 was amusing but also made me doubt everything else.
Aunt Amanda
November 24, 2015
When the California Gold Rush began in 1848, people from all over the world came to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada to seek their fortune. Very few actually succeeded.
This book documents many historical facts. Some of which I will touch on here.
Colonel John Sutter built Sutter’s Fort which served as a piece of civilization in the middle of the Gold Rush wilderness area. An enthusiastic entrepreneur, Sutter offered stores, hotels, and places to eat for weary travelers. When gold was found by Sutter’s Mill, they tried to keep it secret but, of course, it leaked out.
James Marshall arrived at the fort possessing the rate talent of being a wheel right and worked with Sutter. Even though Marshall had discover gold in January 1848 in California, it had already been discovered in North Carolina and Georgia in the 1820’s and 1839, respectively.
The Donnor Party and its horrors were a group of people headed for the Gold Rush in their determined trek through hazardous snow.
The start of the Mormon Church began during this time period. They blazed the trail that the gold seekers would soon follow upon.
McNeil’s Travels was printed in 1849 and became one of the best accounts of what it took to join the Gold Rush and was available nationally and internationally. People in this group were known as the 49ers but, sadly, many succumbed to cholera.
Convicts from Australia and the penal colonies of Great Britain began arriving and crime became rampant. In response, a Vigilante Committee was formed and resolutions passed that those caught thieving would get a swift and fair trial. If found guilty, they would be hanged. That got their attention and soon crime began to abate.
The California Rangers were formed to provide some sort of law and order.
Placerville, the center of the Gold Rush became known as Hangtown. Slavery was not tolerated in the Gold Rush area. Most blacks were well liked and respected but the same was not true of the Chinese mostly because they were simply hard workers. The Mexicans were hated even more. Cholera was rampant in the mining camps due to a lack of any sewage system.
Of those people who left for the Gold Rush, one in four never made it back, thus making it a 25 percent mortality rate.
Those of you with an interest or fascination with the Gold Rush, I highly recommend this historical documentation. Originally published in 2006, this is a reprint.
Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley.
This book documents many historical facts. Some of which I will touch on here.
Colonel John Sutter built Sutter’s Fort which served as a piece of civilization in the middle of the Gold Rush wilderness area. An enthusiastic entrepreneur, Sutter offered stores, hotels, and places to eat for weary travelers. When gold was found by Sutter’s Mill, they tried to keep it secret but, of course, it leaked out.
James Marshall arrived at the fort possessing the rate talent of being a wheel right and worked with Sutter. Even though Marshall had discover gold in January 1848 in California, it had already been discovered in North Carolina and Georgia in the 1820’s and 1839, respectively.
The Donnor Party and its horrors were a group of people headed for the Gold Rush in their determined trek through hazardous snow.
The start of the Mormon Church began during this time period. They blazed the trail that the gold seekers would soon follow upon.
McNeil’s Travels was printed in 1849 and became one of the best accounts of what it took to join the Gold Rush and was available nationally and internationally. People in this group were known as the 49ers but, sadly, many succumbed to cholera.
Convicts from Australia and the penal colonies of Great Britain began arriving and crime became rampant. In response, a Vigilante Committee was formed and resolutions passed that those caught thieving would get a swift and fair trial. If found guilty, they would be hanged. That got their attention and soon crime began to abate.
The California Rangers were formed to provide some sort of law and order.
Placerville, the center of the Gold Rush became known as Hangtown. Slavery was not tolerated in the Gold Rush area. Most blacks were well liked and respected but the same was not true of the Chinese mostly because they were simply hard workers. The Mexicans were hated even more. Cholera was rampant in the mining camps due to a lack of any sewage system.
Of those people who left for the Gold Rush, one in four never made it back, thus making it a 25 percent mortality rate.
Those of you with an interest or fascination with the Gold Rush, I highly recommend this historical documentation. Originally published in 2006, this is a reprint.
Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley.
November 3, 2015
I received a prepublication copy of this book (November 17, 2015) through NetGalley with the understanding that I would publish are review on my blog, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Google + pages along with NetGalley, Amazon and Goodreads. This is the e-book release of an earlier publication.
I requested this book because I am an avid reader about American history including the west. This is the first book by Fred Rosen that I have read.
This was a quick and interesting read. I learned a number of things about the California Gold Rush that I was not previously aware of. The author did a good job of tying it into the development of California, but was a little lax on tying it in to the development of the United States.
He also had a penchant for wandering away from the subject which, while interesting, did not add to the narrative. At the end of the book he digresses into very brief overviews of the Black Hills gold rush and the Nevada silver rush. Neither tied into the main theme of the book and read like last minute filler material.
Overall I would recommend this book to someone interested in learning more about the California Gold Rush only in that it is a quick read.
I requested this book because I am an avid reader about American history including the west. This is the first book by Fred Rosen that I have read.
This was a quick and interesting read. I learned a number of things about the California Gold Rush that I was not previously aware of. The author did a good job of tying it into the development of California, but was a little lax on tying it in to the development of the United States.
He also had a penchant for wandering away from the subject which, while interesting, did not add to the narrative. At the end of the book he digresses into very brief overviews of the Black Hills gold rush and the Nevada silver rush. Neither tied into the main theme of the book and read like last minute filler material.
Overall I would recommend this book to someone interested in learning more about the California Gold Rush only in that it is a quick read.
October 8, 2012
Very informative historical view of the time surrounding the discovery of Gold in California in 1848, from the Mexican-American war over Texas and California - it ties how the gold rush shaped not only the development of California but also how it effected the rest of Nation.
December 23, 2015
Factually accurate net resting but lacked the synthesis promised in the subtitle. Extended quotes from primary sources including the last 50 pages of test.
April 6, 2017
Easy, quick read on the California Gold Rush and the impact it had beyond the local. Lots of primary sources and personal stories, without being "academic." Jesse James might not have grown into the man he was if his minister father hadn't gone to California.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews