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Two Years in the Klondike and Alaskan Gold Fields 1896-1898: A Thrilling Narrative of Life in the Gold Mines and Camps (Volume 5) (Classic Reprint Series
A thrilling narrative of personal experiences and adventures in the wonderful gold regions of Alaska and the Klondike, with observations of travel and exploration along the Yukon. Portraying the dangers, hardships, and privations of a gold-seeker's life; with a faithful description of life and scenes in gold mines and camps. Including full and authentic information of the countries described, their underground treasures, how to find them, etc. Beautifully illustrated with many engravings from recent photographs taken on the spot.
Dozens of the instant guides to the Klondike that sprang from the presses at the turn of the century might have bannered the text above, but Two Years in the Klondike was singularly different from those here, author William B. Haskell told the truth, and he told it well. In a unique, charming, and poetic style, Haskell writes of his trek to Alaska's Fortymile and Circle City in the spring of 1896 preceding the Klondike discovery, and recounts his adventures in the gold fields before and after the rush of 1897-1898. A keen observer of human nature, Haskell's witty comments on conditions in the Yukon Valley are delightful reading. His gritty and realistic account of life in the north on the eve of the Klondike rush details the enormous changes that took place once the flood of stampeders arrived.
Though out of print for nearly a hundred years, Haskell's autobiography has been a major source for every thorough history of the gold rush era in the past century. This new edition of his memoir, published in commemoration of the gold rush centennial as the fifth volume in the University of Alaska Press's Classic Reprint Series, brings back his remarkable eyewitness account of the Klondike stampede. A preface by series editor Terrence Cole and index accompany the original text and photographs.
Dozens of the instant guides to the Klondike that sprang from the presses at the turn of the century might have bannered the text above, but Two Years in the Klondike was singularly different from those here, author William B. Haskell told the truth, and he told it well. In a unique, charming, and poetic style, Haskell writes of his trek to Alaska's Fortymile and Circle City in the spring of 1896 preceding the Klondike discovery, and recounts his adventures in the gold fields before and after the rush of 1897-1898. A keen observer of human nature, Haskell's witty comments on conditions in the Yukon Valley are delightful reading. His gritty and realistic account of life in the north on the eve of the Klondike rush details the enormous changes that took place once the flood of stampeders arrived.
Though out of print for nearly a hundred years, Haskell's autobiography has been a major source for every thorough history of the gold rush era in the past century. This new edition of his memoir, published in commemoration of the gold rush centennial as the fifth volume in the University of Alaska Press's Classic Reprint Series, brings back his remarkable eyewitness account of the Klondike stampede. A preface by series editor Terrence Cole and index accompany the original text and photographs.
578 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 18, 2020
Klondike Gold
This book starts off as the story of the author on his way to the Klondike region to mine for gold with his partner. After he arrives and makes it through the different perils , it becomes more of the story of the news of the region ,the different strikes people and so on. It then continues on as more of a guide and reference book to those people going to the region in the 1890s. Fairly interesting at times a little too detailed with the goings on of those days
This book starts off as the story of the author on his way to the Klondike region to mine for gold with his partner. After he arrives and makes it through the different perils , it becomes more of the story of the news of the region ,the different strikes people and so on. It then continues on as more of a guide and reference book to those people going to the region in the 1890s. Fairly interesting at times a little too detailed with the goings on of those days
April 28, 2019
A detailed account of the Klondike gold rush
With great depth of detail, the author describes the hazards and difficulties endured by those who sought to strike it rich during a two year segment of the Alaskan gold rush .
With great depth of detail, the author describes the hazards and difficulties endured by those who sought to strike it rich during a two year segment of the Alaskan gold rush .
May 18, 2020
The Klondike Gold Rush
I enjoyed the in-depth account of his personal experience. Also the descriptions of the camps and the lengths it took to get to them. Any history buff would enjoy this book.
I enjoyed the in-depth account of his personal experience. Also the descriptions of the camps and the lengths it took to get to them. Any history buff would enjoy this book.
May 18, 2020
Very informative reading and was engaging at the same time. It's amazing what these miners lived through.
There are probably only a very few people from this day and age who could live this life. Great read.
There are probably only a very few people from this day and age who could live this life. Great read.
June 27, 2020
Realistic account of life in the Klondike
Great details about the effort and danger to get in to the gold fields. The risks of mining, both physical and financial that had to be dealt with were staggering. No wasted words romanticizing the search for gold. Great reading.
Great details about the effort and danger to get in to the gold fields. The risks of mining, both physical and financial that had to be dealt with were staggering. No wasted words romanticizing the search for gold. Great reading.
February 5, 2021
Excellent read
This was an excellent book. The details, based on real life experiences, put you there. I appreciate that the author details his (and others) experiences throughout his time there. If you are a history fan, this is the book about the gold rush.
This was an excellent book. The details, based on real life experiences, put you there. I appreciate that the author details his (and others) experiences throughout his time there. If you are a history fan, this is the book about the gold rush.
March 13, 2021
A wonderfully fresh, first-hand report of gold rush fever and the trying conditions explorers faced. Easier to read than the journals of Lewis & Clark but of the same grandeur. A prize of American history.
April 10, 2019
ALASKA
I loved this book the story was exciting , informative, intriguing, beautiful, and sometimes unbelievable. I would totally enjoy reading more true ALASKA stories.
I loved this book the story was exciting , informative, intriguing, beautiful, and sometimes unbelievable. I would totally enjoy reading more true ALASKA stories.
April 29, 2020
Interesting read on the everyday life in the gold fields.
May 25, 2025
Love reading books on the Klondike Gold Rush and this one was really good as it was told by someone who was actually there and going through all the hardships.
January 20, 2021
Informative material on Klondike gold
Well told stories of hardships of gold seekers in 1800s klondike whose travails would be too much to most men, including me. Whatever success they achieved came well deserved and hard won.
Well told stories of hardships of gold seekers in 1800s klondike whose travails would be too much to most men, including me. Whatever success they achieved came well deserved and hard won.
November 1, 2025
Haskell published this book in 1898, just prior to the stampede, as a warning to the legions of naive gold-seekers of the dangers and hardships ahead
September 30, 2016
This book is a fascinating first-hand account of a two-year trip to the Yukon River valley's gold fields being discovered and initially developed at the end of the 19th century. Young but experienced William Haskell and his best friend and partner set off for Alaska in 1896, just prior to the huge Klondike gold strike which started the fabled stampede north in 1898. He is an eye witness to the stampede! The primitive conditions, personal deprivations, and extremes of environment they experienced are nothing short of incredible. Haskell is a surprisingly good writer. The book was obviously written as a combination memoir and travel guide for contemporaries contemplating the trip north. I highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in Alaska, the Canadian Northwest, and/or the Alaska Gold Rush. It will leave you with a sense of awe regarding the ability of people to struggle and survive against incredibly brutal conditions.
One note - I read the Kindle version of the book. It is obviously a scan of the original book with very little if any editing. As a result, there are numerous typos. I was able to wade through it, but some might find it annoying.
One note - I read the Kindle version of the book. It is obviously a scan of the original book with very little if any editing. As a result, there are numerous typos. I was able to wade through it, but some might find it annoying.
February 3, 2014
This book was written by one of the main characters in The Discovery Channel's recent (pseudo-fictional) miniseries, Klondike. It is an easy read, which paints a vivid picture of the hardships, challenges, and accomplishments that were experienced by the pioneering Alaskan gold miners - as seen from the author's perspective. The book was intended to be read by the author's contemporaries. who might have been preparing for prospecting in Alaska, but it is also fascinating to read it from today's perspective.
I echo the previous reviewer's sentiment. Reading about tent living in -50 degree weather with no source of supplies available for months to come gives an awesome sense of gratitude for our modern comforts and conveniences.
I echo the previous reviewer's sentiment. Reading about tent living in -50 degree weather with no source of supplies available for months to come gives an awesome sense of gratitude for our modern comforts and conveniences.
March 2, 2014
Great history
very interesting reading of the 2 years of person who traveled to the Klondike it is also authorized by the narrator. if you are a history buff great historical reading
very interesting reading of the 2 years of person who traveled to the Klondike it is also authorized by the narrator. if you are a history buff great historical reading
October 18, 2013
Excellent. Very well written. Written at the time of the gold rush. I think its one of the only such books to have survived the test of time.
September 25, 2014
Part adventure autobiography, part 19th travel guide, this book is interesting and entertaining.
May 11, 2015
Historical data of the Klondike
This is the most comprehensive account of the Alaskan gold rush I've read so far. It seems it is factual and informative . overall worth reading.
This is the most comprehensive account of the Alaskan gold rush I've read so far. It seems it is factual and informative . overall worth reading.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews