Customer Reviews

River of Red Gold

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As a great, great grandaughter of a 49er (JOHN GARLAND RICKER) I can now more fully appreciate the absolutely deplorable living conditions in the mining camps that Naida so eloquently describes in her wonderful narrative. Now I can understand why he spent less than two years seeking an elusive fortune in the gold camps of the Sierra Nevada foothills.

I feel this book is a reading must for my daughters and grandchildren so that they too, can better understand and value their heritage

Carleen Leise, Shingle Springs, California

Ms West makes California history come to life in her tales of the Donner party and Sutter's gold. The characters paint a vivid picture of early California -- mexicans, indians, norte americanos, and the movement West. If you think you know California history -- let Ms West broaden you area of interest and pose questions for you to ponder. What a story -- difficult to put down once you read the first sentence. The characters may not be real, but you will never forget them!

I was so completely engrossed in this story that I had dreams about it each night as I was reading it. I found myself charged to learn more about mid-19th century California history. I looked at maps, researched the history of Indians in my area, found web sites on the Donners. I also felt completely horrified, on a physical level, at Ms. West's depicton of how white settlers raped and pillaged the people and the land. I felt compelled to somehow change history...the mark of a well-written and effective historical novel.

I also appreciated the author's choice to present her perspective of events from women's points of view (not to mention an ancient oak tree and the trickster, Coyote.)

I have a renewed inspiration to honor the land on which I live, and to honor those who lived here before me.

(a warning: be prepared for much sex...I started reading this with my young teen, and then opted out...he can read it in a few years!)

I picked up Naida West's "River of Red and Gold" at the California State Fair in August 2006 on one of the days she and other authors were promoting their books. She explained how she researched the historical events in her story and my interest was peaked. I'm no history buff, but, I found it intriguing and difficult to put down. Her descriptions of living conditions and the characters put a clear picture in my imagination. I didn't want it to end.

As I've previously written for a review for Eye of the Bear, these books are essential reads for historical novel buffs. Both books are long but fast paced page turners. Read my review of Eye of the Bear that living here among "Grizzly Hair's" people is exceptionally unique when reading these books. A lot of the places in the book still stand today IE: Sutters Fort in Sacramento and Sutters Hock Farm in the Yuba City area.

This book reminded me of Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry except that it was written more from a woman's perspective. The character development was thorough and they came to life in the imagination. The stories were rich in detail and haunted the mind even after the book was put away. It was an experience to read the book and I feel fortunate that I had the opportunity to do so. I finished the book last night and immediately ordered The Eye of the Bear, this book's prequel.

I first have to admit that Naida West lives within walking distance of me, although I have never met her. The reason my location is important is that I know exactly what the country she talks about looks like, who used to live here, and what the local vegetation, rocks and weather are all about. So I know that she is a superb observer and a superb historian.

I am a great fan of historical novels set during times when very few records were kept (for example, 1,000 AD Europe or very early Japan). Reading only what is actually documented history is incredibly frustrating, because there is so little recorded. However, a sensitive author can wrap the little that is known in lots of other information (about vegatation, food, use of rocks and so on) and come up with a vivid picture of the period.

This is what Naida West has done in this book, which is volume one of her Central California trilogy (volume 2, "Eye of the Bear" is a prequel about the Spanish Mission Era, and Volume 3, "Rest for the Wicked" can now be pre-ordered). As one might expect from the title, River of Red Gold is about the days leading up to, during, and following the Gold Rush. It contains one of the best descriptions (in the sense of giving one a feeling of being there) of the Donner Party disaster that I have ever read.

I especially appreciate Ms. West's honest endnotes, which make it clear what is documented and fairly definite, what is semi-documented and somewhat disputed, and what is her own fiction based on specific factual background.

I learned a lot from this book, and I appreciated every minute of reading it, even when the facts were devastatingly brutal. It is better to know than to be ignorant, and this book certainly does not leave the reader ignorant.

How did the natives live in central California, what was it like for them when the Spanish then the Mexicans then the Americanos came. The trilogy from the author was well written and appears to have a lot of historical content.. and is entertaining and gives a real sense of how the different peoples interacted and how they came out.. I have read the first two novels and looking into the third one: Rest for the Wicked.

I 1st read this book a number of years ago. I am a big fan of California history, especially the area I live in. I shared it with so many people it wore out. The author released Eye of the Bear a few years ago. It is the prequel to Red Gold so naturally I had to reread Red Gold after Eye of the Bear. It was just as good if not better the 2nd time around. There is now a 3rd book, Rest for the Wicked, hence trilogy. I had an opportunity to participate in a group tour with the author, Naida West, of the sites in the book. What a wonderful expereince. Now I'm ready to read a 3rd time.

At the end of every year I reflect on all the books I have read that year and select Number 1. Out of the 50 books I read I rate this the number 1 A must read for those interested in California history. I pondered between this book and "Clan of the Cave

Bears" but in the end I had to give my selection to "River of Red Gold" Maybe because living close to the area I could really identify with the area. Loved it. Nice work Ms. West