THE RUSH America's Fevered Quest for Fortune, 1848-1853

"There was gold..." There's something tantalizing in Bernard Setaro Clark's narration, which contrasts the poverty and stillness of everyday life around 1849 with the rush to claim California's potential riches. The author provides much to digest--from mining techniques to Karl Marx's reaction to the gold discovery--and first-person anecdotes make the story come alive. The gentle last words on a grave marker, the determination of a starving traveler, and the dazzle of gold will touch listeners. The approach is personal but not sensational--descriptions of boom-town violence are low-key. With the author continually reminding listeners of the more recent Internet boom, this is a timeless and timely story. J.A.S. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2014]