The Age of Gold

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When gold was discovered on the American River above Sutter's Fort in January 1848, California was a sparsely populated frontier territory that had yet to be officially ceded to the United States following the war with Mexico. The astonishing news -- GOLD! IN CALIFORNIA! -- prompted hundreds of thousands of people from around the world to flock to California in hopes of finding instant riches. This book explores the far-reaching implications of this pivotal point in U.S. history, interweaving the politics of the times with the gripping stories of both the ordinary and the famous in a colorful, intricate tapestry displaying both the best and worst of the American character