This seminal book, The California Gold Rush, offers a sweeping narrative of one of the most transformative events in American history. Originally published under the title Gold is the Cornerstone in 1948, it captures the excitement and consequences of the 1848 discovery at Sutter's Mill, tracing its ripple effects from the early days of localized prospecting to the global rush for riches. The book delves deeply into the lives of the miners, the social and cultural dynamics of gold rush communities, and the profound economic and political shifts that forever altered California's trajectory. A product of the California centennial celebration, this work reflects a pioneering effort to comprehensively document the multifaceted impact of the gold rush.

Reissued with an extended bibliography to include subsequent findings and scholarship, this edition remains a cornerstone for understanding the legacy of the gold rush. The author skillfully weaves anecdotes and historical analysis to speculate on California's alternate paths had gold not been discovered, emphasizing its central role in shaping the state’s rapid ascent to prominence. For historians, students, and anyone captivated by the romance and reality of the gold rush era, this book offers an enduring exploration of California’s golden origins and their lasting significance.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1948.