Among the hordes of starry-eyed 'argonauts' who flocked to the California gold rush of 1849 was an Australian named Edward Hargraves. He left America empty-handed; only to find gold in his own backyard. The result was the great Australian rush of the 1850s; which also attracted participants from around the world. A South African named P.J. Marais was one of them. Marais too returned home in defeat - only to set in motion the diamond and gold rushes that transformed southern Africa. And so it went.Most previous historians of the gold rushes have tended to view them as acts of spontaneous nationalism. Each country likes to see its own gold rush as the one that either shaped those that followed or epitomized all the rest. InThe Gold Crusades: A Social History of Gold Rushes; 1849-1929; Douglas Fetherling takes a different approach.Fetherling argues that the gold rushes in the United States; Canada; Australia; New Zealand; and South Africa shared the same causes and results; the same characters and characteristics. He posits that they were in fact a single discontinuous event; an expression of the British imperial experience and nineteenth-century liberalism. He does so with dash and style and with a sharp eye for the telling anecdote; the out-of-the-way document; and the bold connection between seemingly unrelated disciplines.Originally published by Macmillan of Canada; 1988.
#2421464 in Books The Johns Hopkins University Press 2003-09-10Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 .86 x 6.10 x 9.42l; #File Name: 0801873193225 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Many cheers to Fouche for digging deep to share the stories!! Excellent read.By S. DunsonI must say this is an excellent book that reflects; as others have mentioned; an evident commitment to the necessary level of research to present the facts of the three individuals covered. It is a rare opportunity to grab a non-fiction read that is engaging from the start. He brings to life these gentlemen in a manner others have not; and would not. He reflects them as individuals facing the day to day challenges of the times they lived; not so unlike our own personal challenges today. In short; he makes them REAL.I completely appreciate the time Fouche spent on reviewing/comparing the historical notes to clarify for the readers what is; and most is not; the truth. Too many prepare historical literature on Blacks in America without pausing to clean up what is so obviously contradictory. In my own research of various persons; it has been amazing to see how many key elements will flip-flop; enough to make you scream.Overall; if you are not a mature and perhaps open-minded individual; you may not care too much for the details presented here. However; I can say with certainty you are missing out on some truly delicious information about these inventors. This is not a book for the little kids seeking an "all is perfect in the garden" perspective on these highly relevant men.Again; a joy to have read. I am very pleased I grabbed this one to include in my collection of books here at home.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. An interesting PerspectiveBy MasterInventorThe author provides an interesting perspective on the subject.It's really challenges some of the other works I've read in thearea.The reader gets a sneak peek into the private livesand struggles of black inventors; in terms of culture; self identity;and the limitation/hardships due to lack of funding.I'd love to know if a similar work is being prepared for present dayblack inventors... wonder if there are many parallels..0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Beautiful read! Captivated my attention from the very startBy FBeautiful read! Captivated my attention from the very start! I have not finished reading yet; but this is an enthralling display of the truth from an Afrakan man!
