California Gold Rush [Library Binding]

May Yonge McNeer (Author)

Book Description

On January 24, 1848, James Marshall discovered a small nugget of gold in a stream near Sutter's Mill, California. Though he tried to keep it a secret, word spread through the country like wildfire. Before the year was out, the great American Gold Rush had begun. Here's a true-life story that re-creates a time when people from all walks of life dropped what they were doing and headed west with picks and shovels in the hope of finding riches--and added a brand-new chapter to our country's history.  

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

On January 24, 1848, James Marshall discovered a small nugget of gold in a stream near Sutter's Mill, California. Though he tried to keep it a secret, word spread through the country like wildfire. Before the year was out, the great American Gold Rush had begun. Here's a true-life story that re-creates a time when people from all walks of life dropped what they were doing and headed west with picks and shovels in the hope of finding riches--and added a brand-new chapter to our country's history.   --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Library Binding
• Publisher: Bt Bound (October 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0833510134
• ISBN-13: 978-0833510136
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,397,506 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating acount of the California Gold Rush., August 22, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The California Gold Rush: (Reissue) (Landmark Book) (Paperback)

I've read so many boring, all facts books on the California Gold Rush that I almost didn't read this one. I'm glad I did. Because "The California Gold Rush" by May McNeer is different. Although the text is accurate, it's also lively and filled with details on the lives of the ordinary yet fascinating people that took place in this great historical event, and colorful tales of mining camps and more. This is by far the best book on the California Gold Rush. Once you've started May McNeer's "The California Gold Rush," I guarantee you won't be able to put it down!

3.0 out of 5 stars The Nugget that Founded a State!, April 15, 2004

By 

Plume45 "kitka12345" (Westchester, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The California Gold Rush (Turtleback)

{This Landmark series features American history for young
students, including 12 topics ranging from the Salem Witch Trials to D-Day.}

In 19 short, easy-to-read chapters the author sketches the fascinating outline of the discovery of gold, providing interesting descriptions of the various routes taken by feverish prospectors--from all over the world--to reach the California coast. She includes the methods used to find "color" and authentic details of life in the mining camps--about the miners' gritty work to their Sunday entertainment.

Learn why James Marshall, the white man who first discovered gold at Sutter's Mill, and Augustus Sutter, the wealthy Swiss land baron in Spanish California, did not proift from the spectacular event. Find out why many men became rich, but Not by digging or panning gold themselves. Savor the excitement as gold fever swept the globe, resulting in statehood in just two years! This is a fun, non-fiction read based on historical facts, presented in a format which will appeal to elementary and junior high students.