Fortune’s Frenzy: A California Gold Rush Odyssey
Eilene Lyon
Globe Pequot, Twodot
324 Pages
Publication Date: July 1 2023

Fortune’s Frenzy details the story of a group of hard scrabble Indianans and their odyssey of obtaining gold in 1850s California. The book is mainly told through correspondence between those journeying to California and their family and friends back home. Brought to life by thorough research, a compelling account that feels as if it’s told through the eyes of the people on the ground.
One of the more fascinating details was that the people of the Midwest often took the sea route through the Caribbean to California in the gold rush era rather than travelling what would seem to be a far easier route over land. Who knew. The venture of gold digging itself was perilous enough in its own right, but didn’t realize how difficult travel to and from was. Also the failing banks/bank runs and just finding funding to make a trip possible to begin with shows how difficult life as a prospective gold miner could be. All in all, a really well done work of history that gives a fascinating on the ground account of the gold rush.
Thank you to NetGalley and Globe Pequot, Twodot for advanced access to the book in exchange for an honest review.
5/5