San Antonio College Library

"One of a series of books written to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the admission of California to the Union, emphasizes the natural environment, the history of the Indians, exploration, and social and economic history, rather than the traditional institutional studies of mission and presidio. Takes advantage of the latest research and includes contributions by leading scholars"--Handbook of Latin American Studies, v. 58.

"Mary Hill's book chronicles this important chapter in California's history. Combining the narrative skill of the storyteller with the expertise of the geologist, Hill gives us a complete and fascinating picture of California gold - its origins in the Earth, the history of its discovery, techniques of mining it, and its uses in modern times. The excitement of the gold rush is brought alive in these pages. But Hill also discusses the devastating costs...

Rush to the California gold fields a century ago is pictured in a collection of old prints, sketches, and daguerreotypes.

Provides a dramatic re-creation of the exciting events during the California Gold Rush, combining letters, firsthand accounts, and historical narrative.

Introduces young readers to the history of the California gold rush, describing the journey to California, the process of panning for gold, and the fortunes that this gold brought many different people.

It has always been understood that the 1848 discovery of gold in the Sierra Nevada influenced the battle over the admission of California to the Union. Now, historian Richards makes clear the links between the Gold Rush and many of the regional crises in the lead-up to the Civil War. Richards explains how Southerners envisioned California as a new market for slaves, only to be frustrated by California's prohibition of slavery. Still, they schemed...