Title: The world rushed in : the California gold rush experience /
Authors: Holliday, J. S.; Swain, William, 1821-1904.
Publisher: Simon and Schuster,
Year: 1983
Subjects: Swain, William,; Overland journeys to the Pacific; Pioneers California Biography; California History; California Biography.; California Gold discoveries.
Abstract: "The World Rushed In is a pioneering achievement in historical writing, at once a personal, intimate story of one man's search for wealth and the definitive account of the California gold rush. Building upon the copious journals of gold seeker William Swain and enlarging upon his experiences through the imaginative interweaving of his diaries with the letters of hundred of other '49ers, J.S. Holliday gives the reader a compelling opportunity to be part of one of America's most exciting and important adventures. Holliday captures the triumphs and tragedies of Swain and his compatriots in vivid, human terms, from the dangerous journey across the plains and mountains to the rugged mining camps of northern California. This is history at its very best"--Unedited summary from book cover.
Contents: 1. A migration of strangers -- Back home -- 2. Fitting for a start -- Back home -- 3. The great California caravan -- Back home -- 4. Tracks of the elephant -- Back home -- 5. Black Hills and sweetwater -- Back home -- 6. The Pacific side -- Back home -- 7. The humbug river -- Back home -- 8. Meeting the summit -- Back home -- 9. A perfect labyrinth of mountains -- Back home -- 10. In the diggings -- Back home -- 11. The great California lottery -- Back home -- 12. Luck is all -- 13. Coming home.