The Diary of a Forty-Niner

By Chauncey L. Canfield

Book Overview

In August 1906, Chauncey Canfield committed to his publisher a found text: the diary, ostensibly verified, of one Alfred T. Jackson, a pioneer miner who joined the Gold Rush from his home in Norfolk, Connecticut, migrating to Rock Creek, Nevada County, California, where he cabined and worked. The Diary covers two years of Jackson's life, and provides us with one of the richest documents of a period of perhaps unequaled importance to the expansion of the United States.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0962798738
• ISBN13: 9780962798733
• Release Date: December 1993
• Publisher: Turtle Point Press
• Length: 220 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

What it was really like

If you have ever wondered what it might be like to have lived "back then" then this is the book for you. A first hand look at the day to day life of a 49er as he lived it. Not a dry history book but filled with personality and adventure. I have read many diarys and books of the old west and this is one of the best.

primary yet not dry history

A great read for anyone interested in the social environment of the 49er. Turns popular misconceptions upside down about the barbarity of these Gold Rushers--they actually were quite civilized.

Excellent

An antidote for all the revisionist history that's come out in the last 20 years. An actual account of a man's day to day life in the 1850's written as it happened. It gives you a good idea of what people were like back then.

AN ILLUMINATING ACCOUNT

A VERY INTERESTING FIRST PERSON ACCOUNT--STRESS FIRST PERSON. NOT A DERIVATITVE BOOK OF THOSE TIMES AS ARE SO MANY OTHERS. BOTTOM LINE, IT COULD VERY WELL BE THE BEST LOOK AT WHAT IT WAS REALLY LIKE IN THE GOLD FIELDS AROUND, NEVADA CITY---GRASS VALLEY, CALIF, IN 1850 THAT YOU COULD FIND.

A sleeper--gold fever and personal growth

Gold fever! This diary portrays one man's passage through the turbulent gold rush. From small farmer just wanting to return home with enough money to marry his sweetheart to a man aware of all the world has to offer. A journey of personal growth. Wonderful.