From the first cry of "Gold!" to the frantic search for a fabled "golden lake," this book tells the saga of the California Gold Rush through scores of fascinating stories and anecdotes. All the essentials are here: how the rush for gold began; where the gold seekers came from, and where they went; how they lived, worked, brawled, and played; and how they changed the course of California history. But what sets this account apart is its rich store of tales about personalities both famous and little-known—Francisco Lopez, astonished to find bits of gold clinging to the roots of wild onions; Sam Brannan, spreading the news of the gold discovery to bring customers to his store; notorious outlaws like Joaquin Murrieta and Black Bart; young humorist Samuel Clemens and his tale of a "celebrated jumping frog"; "Fairy Star" Lotta Crabtree; and many more. Together with an extensive Author's Notes section, these stories paint a vivid and comprehensive picture of one of the most colorful and significant episodes in the history of the Golden State.
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