Gold!

I read professor Brands' Money Men about the financial history of the United States through the 19th century. A very well written and interesting book. So I ordered Age of Gold by him. It's terrific.

The part I liked the best is the first third of the book which are the stories of how people got to the gold fields. Whether it was across the isthmus of Panama, around the Horn, or in a wagon crossing the United States, they all read like harrowing adventures. Wow. A little advice: even if you have a crappy map don't try to take a short cut.

The political and social history of California and its impact on the rest of the United States and the world also is fascinating reading. Brands writes history with a focus on the biographies of the people who lived it. The Civil War, immigrants, native americans, the trans-continental railroad, San Francisco, vigilantes, civil rights, and, of course, vast fortunes made and lost.

Should be required reading for all Californians.