Gold Rush

Gold Rush focuses on the Klondike Gold Rush in Northwest Canada which took place at the end of the nineteenth century. The story is told from the perspectives of several individual women who played key roles in this event, even though the gold trail was considered no place for women. The women featured include prospectors and entrepreneurs who found ways of capitalising on the tens of thousands who descended on the area seeking their fortune by providing food, supplies and accommodation.

The book starts with Kate Carmack, a First Nations woman who first discovered gold in the Yukon alongside her husband who was a white settler. As well as telling the story of the gold rush the book also takes the opportunity to provide an insight into the world of the First Nations of the Yukon and their affinity with the land. It is interesting to read that several of the women featured used their wealth to contribute to the communities of the Yukon after the Gold Rush was over.

The feminist angle and efforts to feature The First Nations people and also a black female entrepreneur foreground previously little-known stories in history. Varied approaches to conveying information visually are employed including maps, lists diagrams, picture sequences aerial shots and close ups. This is another fascinating and beautifully designed book from the creator of the highly acclaimed Rescuing Titanic.