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Gold: The True Story of Why People Search for It, Mine It, Trade It, Steal It, Mint It, Hoard It, Shape It, Wear It, Fight and Kill for It
Discusses the value of gold and how it has been sought after and used in countries around the world throughout history
167 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1993
About the author
Milton Meltzer
181 books27 followersMilton Meltzer wrote 110 books, five of which were nominated for the National Book Award. With Langston Hughes, he co-authored A Pictorial History of Black Americans, now in its sixth edition. He received the 2001 Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for his contribution to children's literature, the 1986 Jane Addams Peace Association Children's Book Award, and the 2000 Regina Medal. He died in New York City of esophageal cancer at age 94.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 17, 2015
Gold is an informative look into the history of the world’s fascination with the glittery metal, a discussion of where and how gold is mined, and some of the ways in which it is used. The book is divided into twelve chapters, each of which discusses a particular aspect of the metal’s story. The first few chapters discuss some of the historical and mythological references to gold, including the story of King Midas and the origins of coined money. Some of gold’s most basic properties are discussed, and a handy weight chart in the back of the book reveals how the metal is measured and valued. Meltzer also effortlessly describes the complex processes involved in gold mining and the various other processes whereby gold can be extracted from the earth. He makes complicated scientific concepts seem understandable and less alien to the child reader.
The middle portion of the book focuses on the historical impact of man’s search for gold. From early explorers of the New World to the gold mines of Africa and the gold rushes in California, Canada, and Alaska, the uniting story is often one of exploitation, greed, and slavery. Meltzer does a good job of remaining neutral and objective in his writing, yet one can still sense his sympathy for native peoples who were exploited or murdered in the quest for riches. The shocking brutality of some important historical figures is related with objectivity and an almost scientific detachment:
“To control the rebelling Indians, Columbus built forts on Hispaniola. Using them as bases, he forced the Indians to pay him tribute in gold. He still believed that in the interior of the island, there were rich goldfields that the Indians were concealing from him. So he ordered all Indians from the age of fourteen up to collect a fixed amount of gold every three months. Each person who delivered the tribute of gold was given a copper token to hang around the neck. Indians found without that token had their hands cut off and were left to bleed to death” (55).
The book ends with a discussion of the many uses for gold, including jewelry, the artwork of goldsmiths, gold leaf, dentistry, gold plating, and circuitry, to name a few. Meltzer provides both modern and historical perspectives on the functional and artistic aspects of gold use. The final pages of the book include an index, source notes, and an extensive bibliography.
School Library Journal notes that “Meltzer once again demonstrates his winning approach to nonfiction with this straightforward, highly interesting overview. The intriguing history of gold needs little embellishment, but this treatment is especially appealing” (Amazon.com 2004). Meltzer’s writing style is clean, neat, and orderly. He does not use much in the way of figurative language or flowery turns of phrases. He simply presents information in a straightforward, factual, and thought-provoking manner. The book is excellently researched, well documented, and is peppered with extra touches, including artwork, fact boxes, and even a song relating to gold:
“When gold was found in forty-eight, the people said ‘twas gas,
And some were fools enough to think the lumps were made of brass,
But they soon were satisfied and started off to mine,
They bought a ship came round the Horn in the fall of forty-nine” (78).
These extra touches add interest and appeal to the body of the text. The book’s only downside is the lack of color photographs. Because part of the appeal of gold is its glittery, mesmerizing appearance, not having the gold pictured in color really detracts from the impact of many of the images. The paintings would also have been more vibrant and interesting had they been printed in color.
This book is highly recommended for school and public library collections, and will suit a variety of age levels.
The middle portion of the book focuses on the historical impact of man’s search for gold. From early explorers of the New World to the gold mines of Africa and the gold rushes in California, Canada, and Alaska, the uniting story is often one of exploitation, greed, and slavery. Meltzer does a good job of remaining neutral and objective in his writing, yet one can still sense his sympathy for native peoples who were exploited or murdered in the quest for riches. The shocking brutality of some important historical figures is related with objectivity and an almost scientific detachment:
“To control the rebelling Indians, Columbus built forts on Hispaniola. Using them as bases, he forced the Indians to pay him tribute in gold. He still believed that in the interior of the island, there were rich goldfields that the Indians were concealing from him. So he ordered all Indians from the age of fourteen up to collect a fixed amount of gold every three months. Each person who delivered the tribute of gold was given a copper token to hang around the neck. Indians found without that token had their hands cut off and were left to bleed to death” (55).
The book ends with a discussion of the many uses for gold, including jewelry, the artwork of goldsmiths, gold leaf, dentistry, gold plating, and circuitry, to name a few. Meltzer provides both modern and historical perspectives on the functional and artistic aspects of gold use. The final pages of the book include an index, source notes, and an extensive bibliography.
School Library Journal notes that “Meltzer once again demonstrates his winning approach to nonfiction with this straightforward, highly interesting overview. The intriguing history of gold needs little embellishment, but this treatment is especially appealing” (Amazon.com 2004). Meltzer’s writing style is clean, neat, and orderly. He does not use much in the way of figurative language or flowery turns of phrases. He simply presents information in a straightforward, factual, and thought-provoking manner. The book is excellently researched, well documented, and is peppered with extra touches, including artwork, fact boxes, and even a song relating to gold:
“When gold was found in forty-eight, the people said ‘twas gas,
And some were fools enough to think the lumps were made of brass,
But they soon were satisfied and started off to mine,
They bought a ship came round the Horn in the fall of forty-nine” (78).
These extra touches add interest and appeal to the body of the text. The book’s only downside is the lack of color photographs. Because part of the appeal of gold is its glittery, mesmerizing appearance, not having the gold pictured in color really detracts from the impact of many of the images. The paintings would also have been more vibrant and interesting had they been printed in color.
This book is highly recommended for school and public library collections, and will suit a variety of age levels.
May 18, 2015
This is one of the best non-fiction books I have read to my sons in a long time. It was actually amazingly gripping and they couldn't get enough, of facts. One of the coolest things was that I think they understood world history in a more profound way afterward, I want to read more by him. Sometimes you trip across total jewels at Goodwill!!!!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews