The Roar And The Silence: A History Of Virginia City And The Comstock Lode (Shepperson Series in History Humanities) [Paperback]

Ronald M James (Author)

Book Description

Series: Shepperson Series in History Humanities | Publication Date: September 1, 1998

The first comprehensive treatment of Comstock society to incorporate mining history with the stories of the people who lived it.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Ronald James's brilliant new account of the Comstock's long and eventful history--the first comprehensive study of the subject in over a century--examines every aspect of Comstock and Virginia City and employs information gleaned from hundreds of written sources, interviews, archeological research, computer analysis, folklore, gender studies, physical geography, and architectural and art history, as well as over fifty rare photographs, many of them previously unpublished. James's lively, thoughtful text brings the Comstock to life again in all its complexity and boom-and-bust excitement. This pathbreaking book offers a wealth of new information and insight into the history of one of the Old West's most storied areas.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: University of Nevada Press (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874173205
• ISBN-13: 978-0874173208
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #611,061 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Of very good historical value, May 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Roar And The Silence: A History Of Virginia City And The Comstock Lode (Shepperson Series in History Humanities) (Paperback)

Thoroughly enjoyed reading each chapter of Mr.James' book. I would suggest it for anyone having an interest in the old West, the mining periods, and personnae of the same, and perhaps just as importantly to gain some insightful information behind the storefornt facades and adits of Virginia City. The author has provided much background behind the legends, pulled down to earth other "legends" and truly given this "tourist site" it's legitmate and historical due. I am anxious to visit the Lake Tahoe area once again and take that little jaunt over the hill to visit a now-less-mysterious Virginia City.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE must read book on the history of the Comstock, October 17, 2000

By 

Ian Henry (Wilmington, DE USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Roar And The Silence: A History Of Virginia City And The Comstock Lode (Shepperson Series in History Humanities) (Paperback)

Mr. James cuts through all of the legends that have grown up around Virginia City and its fabled Comstock Lode to give us a truly outstanding and eminently readable history. He draws together primary and secondary sources, demographic analysis and archaeology to give the reader a broad, yet surprisingly detailed understanding of the Comstock from its humble beginnings, through bonanza and borrasca, and right up to the present day. Highly recommended!!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent history of Virginia City, January 14, 2006

By 

Ceilidh "avid photographer Kaylee" (Washoe Valley, NV USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Roar And The Silence: A History Of Virginia City And The Comstock Lode (Shepperson Series in History Humanities) (Paperback)

I am a resident of Nevada and read a lot of history. Recently I have read a lot of books on Nevada history, and I must say this is one of the best. Thoroughly researched and footnoted, it covers almost every aspect of Virginia City history, yet is eminently readable. Some history books are too dry and dusty, and you have to plow through them (or give up), but Mr. James' book holds your interest from beginning to end. If you are interested in the history of VC, this is the one to buy!