Description
Book Synopsis"Uncovers a centuries-long story of obsession that often included murder, gun fights, deadly accidents, overnight fortunes and even cannibalism. . . Neligh is a practiced writer whose style mixes history and modern realities seamlessly." -Colorado Country Life
Gold! brings together the story of this metal’s glittering legacy in the Centennial State and the madness, murder, and mayhem that came along with it. The book examines the rich history of the miners and treasure hunters who came to face danger and hardships in the unforgiving Rocky Mountains. This story is unique in that it takes a look at the phenomenon of gold, the treasure hunters, both modern and historic, and brings them to life in a detailed and sharp narrative.
Author Ian Neligh spent a year meeting with experts and enthusiasts, hearing their stories and trying to understand why it is they continue to do what they do—often in the face of extreme hardship. Modern-day gold miners profiled include Al Mosch, Bill Chapman, Ken Reid, and Chad Watkins.
Gold! is the story of an unusual subculture on the rise in the mountains of Colorado fueled by a delicate balance of hope, greed, and loss. It tells the story of men mostly forgotten by the world as they go in endless pursuit of an impossible fortune. It follows miners working their small, dangerous gold claims in mines over a hundred years old, to modern-day prospectors trying to strike it rich and counterbalance the weight of a struggling economy. The book also examines if those who spend their lives in search of riches—ever actually strike it rich.
From the author of Spurred West: Rogues, Treasure Seekers, Bounty Hunters, and Colorful Characters Past and Present, this book will appeal to both history buffs as well as fans of modern-day reality shows like Gold Rush.
Trade Review"Ian Neligh recounts the story of the Colorado gold rush, bringing it forward to contemporary times, melding the old and the new. He tells about the men who still moil for gold in the Colorado Rockies." * Sandra Dallas, Denver Post *
"Uncovers a centuries-long story of obsession that often included murder, gun fights, deadly accidents, overnight fortunes and even cannibalism. . . Neligh is a practiced writer whose style mixes history and modern realities seamlessly." * Colorado Country Life *
"Written in compelling journalistic style, each chapter is devoted to a different fascinating gold hunter, alternating between the Wild West of the 1800s and the colorful characters who make up today's Colorado prospecting community. . . Neligh excels in interviews with the people practicing this work today. . . getting into the minds and hearts of these Coloradans." * Colorado Life magazine *
"You Can Strike Gold Right Here in Colorado. So you wanna be a gold-digger? No seriously—here's how to get started with gold-panning in Colorado. . . In his book, Neligh followed several dedicated gold prospectors in the state, and the consensus seems to be that finding thousands of dollars worth of gold dust (nuggets are incredibly rare) is definitely not impossible." *
5280 magazine *
Table of ContentsIntroduction
Chapter 1: Wolverines and Sunken Treasure
Chapter 2: A Fortune Lost and Found
Chapter 3: Diving for Gold
Chapter 4: Aladdin's Cave
Chapter 5: Chasing a Bullet
Chapter 6: Hard Rock Miner
Chapter 7: The New Prospectors
Chapter 8: A Gold Tooth and a Pair Of Pistols
Chapter 9: Gunslingers, Killers, and Ghosts
Chapter 10: The Tale of Two Cities
Chapter 11: Never Fearless
Chapter 12: Windigo
Chapter 13: Those Who Came Before
Chapter 14: What the Next Blast Brings
Chapter 15: A Family Legacy
Chapter 16: The Long Tunnel
Chapter 17: Phantoms
Chapter 18: Bat Country
Chapter 19: Ghost Country
Epilogue
Bibliography
