Gold fever swept the nation and the world in 1848 when carpenter James Marshall discovered a gold nugget in the American River near John Sutter's mill. As word spread of gold in California, the news set off a global race known as the California gold rush. Fortune seekers and adventurers poured into California by land and sea.

HO! FOR CALIFORNIA

Here is the story of these lively prospectors in their own words. Rosalyn Schanzer gathered her favorite quotes and anecdotes from letters, journals, and newspaper accounts, then put the spirit of the age into her vibrant art.

GOLD! GOLD!

Step into an exciting chapter of American history. Learn about the people who dropped everything to seek their fortunes. See who found gold and how, and if there was enough to go around. Find out what the gold diggers did with their brand-new wealth. Listen to the tales of the prospectors, the men and the women, the good and the bad, the winners and the losers. Join in the gold fever!