Brands includes exquisitely detailed physical descriptions of key characters. I especially appreciate his ability to tell a story as well as document history. ( )

Fascinating account of Gold Rush era and afterwards. It affected whole nation afterwards and whole meaning of America. Lots of details on specific people like Sutter and many others. ( )

Age of Gold takes a thorough look at a slice of American history. Beginning in 1848 Brands introduces the reader to people from all walks of life, uncovering every story from land and sea across several continents. Part One describes in detail the first adventurers to travel from every corner of the earth to seek gold. It is here John Fremont is introduced for the first time. Part Two is an introduction to the frenzied hunt for gold: panning, picking, cradling, digging, mining, sifting, sluicing. Part Three sees the birth of California's borders and governing body. San Francisco becomes the first city in the state. ( )

Well written, well documented story of the California Gold rush. Skillfullly told with many side stories. Perhaps a tad too long. ( )

5166. The Age of Gold The California Gold Rush the New American Dream, by H. W. Brands (read 23 May 2014) I read the author's The Restless Decade on 7 Sept 2003 with real appreciation and so when given this book quickly decided to read it. It was published in 2002 and tells the story of the Gold Rush and how it affected the state, the nation, and the world. It spends a considerable amount of time telling of various arduous efforts to reach California, as well as the effect of the news of gold's discovery on many people. While there are source notes and an extensive bibliography the book can be read as a story rather than as academic history. I particularly enjoyed the chapter on the political events surrounding the Compromise of 1850, which includes well-chosen quotes from Clay, Calhourn, and especially Webster. (Reading the Webster excerpt made me feel I was caught up by the oratory!) Some of the technical mining and processing description, while obviously necessary, did not fill me with interest. But the accounts of Fremont and his wife, and of the building of the transcontinental railroad and of its promoters are of much interest. And the summing up chapters and the account of what happened to the people involved in the Gold Rush and its history are well-done. One need not be obsessed by history to enjoy the book and it is easy to see why the author is probably a much-appreciated teacher by his students. ( )