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The Gold Hunters: A First-Hand Picture of Life in California Mining Camps in the Early Fifties
The Gold Hunters offers a unique look at the life in the gold camps of the nineteenth century American West — the different cultures attracted by the discovery of gold, how they related to one another and their contrasting food, clothes and entertainment. John David Borthwick (1824-1892), born in Edinburgh, Scotland, to a prominent physician, was a nomadic Scottish journalist and author who received both a gentleman’s and artist’s education. In 1845, an inheritance was settled on him, and when he turned 21, he set out to see the world. It is also speculated that he was one of the sons of Peter Borthwick, a descendant of Baron Borthwick, but there is no evidence to substantiate this claim.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
142 pages, Paperback
First published November 17, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 7, 2020
This book was not what I expected, but it was really interesting. Yes, he did some gold hunting, but it was more to get the feel of it and to meet the people and see how it was. This book is an observation of people and places and I would really have liked to see some of his drawings of the people he met and the different places he visited.
June 13, 2018
History
Imenjoy history, this one was a more personal assessment than factual. Sort of a diary, or travel log. It seemed to drag to long in spots, but that could be me not the book.
Imenjoy history, this one was a more personal assessment than factual. Sort of a diary, or travel log. It seemed to drag to long in spots, but that could be me not the book.
November 28, 2019
Fabulous account of early California during the gold mining years!
The author was a Scot who seemed to be quite well educated and an entertaining writer. He roamed the various gold mining areas in northern California and gives a perspective from experience, observation, and thoughtfulness. Who knew how "civilized" this newly populated area was and how quickly it changed into a fine place to live. Such amenities as French restaurants, hot baths, ice cream, lots of steak and ham, stagecoaches and a plethora of rooming accommodations were available not only in San Francisco but other upcoming towns such as Stockton. The various types of mining operations were explained including the engineering of aquaducts, bridges and other methods of crossing or redirecting the flow of waterways to facilitate the mining operations. The author explained all the different types of peoples drawn by the gold rush and their characteristics...English, German, French, those from New South Wales, Chinese, Blacks, Mexicans and native Americans. He obviously had his likes and dislikes, e.g., the Chinese who kept very clean camps but whose food he wouldn't touch, or "Indians" who dressed in bizarre fashion from western castoffs and didn't work. Some blow by blow accounts of bull fights and bull/bear fights in huge amphitheaters for the entertainment of the huge crowds, vigilante justice in the absence of lawmen, hangings presided over by "Judge Lynch" after local jury trials, terrible fires, rain and snow storms... There is so much packed into this book! At the end he shares his thoughts on the quick changes that brought full blown civilized society to order in a mere eight years, the equality of men from all classes being willing to work hard and the examples of what American and English skills and creative ingenuity brought to the scene. A book well worth reading!!!!!
The author was a Scot who seemed to be quite well educated and an entertaining writer. He roamed the various gold mining areas in northern California and gives a perspective from experience, observation, and thoughtfulness. Who knew how "civilized" this newly populated area was and how quickly it changed into a fine place to live. Such amenities as French restaurants, hot baths, ice cream, lots of steak and ham, stagecoaches and a plethora of rooming accommodations were available not only in San Francisco but other upcoming towns such as Stockton. The various types of mining operations were explained including the engineering of aquaducts, bridges and other methods of crossing or redirecting the flow of waterways to facilitate the mining operations. The author explained all the different types of peoples drawn by the gold rush and their characteristics...English, German, French, those from New South Wales, Chinese, Blacks, Mexicans and native Americans. He obviously had his likes and dislikes, e.g., the Chinese who kept very clean camps but whose food he wouldn't touch, or "Indians" who dressed in bizarre fashion from western castoffs and didn't work. Some blow by blow accounts of bull fights and bull/bear fights in huge amphitheaters for the entertainment of the huge crowds, vigilante justice in the absence of lawmen, hangings presided over by "Judge Lynch" after local jury trials, terrible fires, rain and snow storms... There is so much packed into this book! At the end he shares his thoughts on the quick changes that brought full blown civilized society to order in a mere eight years, the equality of men from all classes being willing to work hard and the examples of what American and English skills and creative ingenuity brought to the scene. A book well worth reading!!!!!
October 27, 2022
This book was especially interesting to me because I was a modern-day gold miner for 4 years in far northern California. I spent many hours wondering about how it was in the beginning of and shortly after the Gold Rush. I read several books on the subject but really believe this one was the most comprehensive in its education of that period.
May 25, 2018
Añ interesting view of the 1850's gold rush.
The extensive travels thru the mining districts of California and the characters met along the way I found entertaining. Follow along with a state map for the full experience.
The extensive travels thru the mining districts of California and the characters met along the way I found entertaining. Follow along with a state map for the full experience.
June 17, 2018
A worthy travel from our present to 1849.
This account of the days and events concerning those days is very detailed . The author has commented on various nationalities, their personalities, skills, etc. He shows how this great event helped America to grow and flourish.
This account of the days and events concerning those days is very detailed . The author has commented on various nationalities, their personalities, skills, etc. He shows how this great event helped America to grow and flourish.
February 5, 2023
Fascinating and Entertaining View of the Journey there, San Francisco, the Mines and Miners from all over the world.
This educated and witty but also quite brave and insightful writer travels all about to give a fascinating view of the entire gold rush world in California at the time. A few prejudices that unfortunately reflect the times are included. Despite that, he mingles freely with all, and has much good to say about most folks he encounters.
This educated and witty but also quite brave and insightful writer travels all about to give a fascinating view of the entire gold rush world in California at the time. A few prejudices that unfortunately reflect the times are included. Despite that, he mingles freely with all, and has much good to say about most folks he encounters.
July 24, 2024
A thoroughly enjoyable read. He gets on with the story and goes damn everywhere to get it.
Vividly portrayed so you seem to be looking on.
Best bang for your buck (two, actually) .. as they say.👍
Vividly portrayed so you seem to be looking on.
Best bang for your buck (two, actually) .. as they say.👍
April 11, 2013
This is quite an adventure! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J.D._Bor...
J.D. Borthwick was a Scottish journalist and artist who documented the California gold rush. He traveled to gold country by way of the Isthmus of Panama, San Francisco, Sacramento, on to the Placerville area, and then to the other gold camps. It isn't so much about mining as it is an eye witness report about the people he encounters and the many cultures they represented. He vividly describes all the various peoples he sees along the way. Now this book was first published in 1857, long before anyone considered political correctness, so there are certainly stereotypes that make the modern reader cringe. It is, however, a glimpse into the era. The gold rush was a conglomeration of cultures and races working the mines. There were Blacks, Mexicans, Indians, Chinese, lots of Frenchmen and other Europeans, and, of course, Americans from all over the country.
The images in this book will definitely linger in my mind. Since we live so close, I would like to revisit some of these gold rush sites in northern California this summer. I certainly have a better appreciation for that time now.
J.D. Borthwick was a Scottish journalist and artist who documented the California gold rush. He traveled to gold country by way of the Isthmus of Panama, San Francisco, Sacramento, on to the Placerville area, and then to the other gold camps. It isn't so much about mining as it is an eye witness report about the people he encounters and the many cultures they represented. He vividly describes all the various peoples he sees along the way. Now this book was first published in 1857, long before anyone considered political correctness, so there are certainly stereotypes that make the modern reader cringe. It is, however, a glimpse into the era. The gold rush was a conglomeration of cultures and races working the mines. There were Blacks, Mexicans, Indians, Chinese, lots of Frenchmen and other Europeans, and, of course, Americans from all over the country.
The images in this book will definitely linger in my mind. Since we live so close, I would like to revisit some of these gold rush sites in northern California this summer. I certainly have a better appreciation for that time now.
October 9, 2015
Excellent diary of an Englishman' s personal views of San Francisco, Sacramento, and many mining camps during the gold rush. Be advised that he is racist and bigoted. I enjoyed the observations, descriptions, and his fascination with frontier justice and punishment. This book made the gold rush come alive. it was only 99 cents from the Kindle store. He did not know or meet Sutter, but was in the digs with the everyday miner. Fascinating.
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July 28, 2017I did not rate this book because I feel that any book that is a memoir from the time period about which it is written deserves at least the consideration of the person reading it, and not the opinion of somebody who's only reading the review. This book is interesting. It is definitely a product of its time., And should be read with that in mind. There are racial slurs that are common to the era, and women are not necessarily treated with the kindest words. However, all in all the book tells what life was like in the gold fields.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews