Synopses & Reviews
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 hundreds 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.
Review
Ray Allen Billington A unique book destined to take its place as a classic in our literature.
Review
Alvin M. Josephy, Jr. author Now That the Buffalo's Gone Far and away the best, most exciting and most informative book on the California gold rush that I have ever read. It is superb reading...the classic we have expected and awaited.
Review
Howard Lamar Professor of History, Yale University A total, personal, vicarious experience...touching and powerful.
Review
Howard LamarProfessor of History, Yale UniversityA total, personal, vicarious experience...touching and powerful.
Review
Kevin Starr San Francisco Examiner The three-plus decades that have gone into the making of this book have been totally worth the labor...a masterly narrative.
Synopsis
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 hundreds 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.
Table of Contents
Contents Acknowledgments
Author's Note
Prologue
CHAPTER I A Migration of Strangers
Back Home
CHAPTER II Fitting for a Start
Back Home
CHAPTER III The Great California Caravan
Back Home
CHAPTER IV Tracks of the Elephant
Back Home
CHAPTER V Black Hills and Sweetwater
Back Home
CHAPTER VI The Pacific Side
Back Home
CHAPTER VII The Humbug River
Back Home
CHAPTER VIII Meeting the Summit
Back Home
CHAPTER IX A Perfect Labyrinth of Mountains
Back Home
CHAPTER X In the Diggings
Back Home
CHAPTER XI The Great California Lottery
Back Home
CHAPTER XII Luck Is All
CHAPTER XIII Coming Home
Epilogue
Appendix
Notes
Sources
Index