California celeberated 164 years of statehood a few weeks back. Just before that time, in the late 1840s, California served as pan central for gold diggers who seeking a new American life and looking for their fortune. Of course, for the vast majority of them -- 49ers included -- that quest was none too simple or successful. Edward Dolnick is author of the new book, The Rush: America’s Fevered Quest for Fortune, 1848-1853, which chronicles what those new California residents got when they arrived as gold diggers.
KCRW
