Mile-High Fever: Silver Mines, Boom Towns, and High Living on the Comstock Lode

By Dennis Drabelle

Book Overview

In the captivating true story of the Comstock Lode, Drabelle skillfully brings to life the exploration of the large vein of silver in the northwestern U.S. that sparked the Silver Rush from 1859-1882. "Mile-High Fever" brings to light one of the least-known episodes in American history.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312379471
• ISBN13: 9780312379476
• Release Date: July 2009
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 1.18 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.6" x 1.1" x 6.4"

Customer Reviews

A Uniquely American Western Saga

Nevada's Comstock Lode rivaled the fantastic wealth of Potosi, but was exploited by freemen whose sense of self was larger than the mountain itself. As is usual with these things, the ones who made the most money were those who supplied the miners, and then the corporate mining companies that soon replaced the individual prospectors. Unlike gold, silver is chemically bound to hard rock, and can only be profitably harvested by industrial processes that required organizations and huge amount of capital. In surprising ways, technology and techniques developed for the harsh conditions deep underground found applications in the creation of the American Empire. It also led to some of the first modern financial excesses, when more money could be made by manipulating the mines' paper assets rather than through mining itself. It was no accident that the city of San Francisco, with its growing mercantile, manufacturing and financial infrastructures, benefited far more than state of Nevada. The Comstock's vision, energy and freewheeling ways nourished larger than life characters whose influences are still with us today. One of them was Mark Twain, who honed his writing skills during his time in the Comstock country, from which his international career was launched. A delightful book with amazing details on how things were then and how they influence us now. Well researched and easy reading, the book moves much like a western novel that happens to be true to life.

Great writing, needs maps and pics!

I am really enjoying reading "Mile High Fever" by Dennis Drabelle. What this really needs to be stellar is relevant maps and pictures. Fortunately for me, I lived in Reno for 6-years, and visited Virginia City many times, so I can visualize some of what Drabelle is writing. But with such a wealth of era photos, paintings and maps, why no section to suppliment the great writing? St. Martin's Press, how about a future edition with a decent pictures section? Best regards, Kevin M. Sak