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After the Gold Rush: A Bicycle Journey Through American History Kindle Edition

5.0 out of 5 stars 3 ratings

In 1849, several hundred thousand Americans and Europeans began streaming across ‘The Great American Desert’ bound for the gold fields of California. Their dream was to strike it rich, but if the Gold Rush epitomizes the American Dream, their trek through the wilderness became the worst of nightmares. 150 years later, British cycling journalist John Stuart Clark retraces the same roads, rivers and trails taken by the Forty Niners, struggling across 3,000 miles of inhospitable terrain, battling violent sandstorms and withering heat. Cycling where no sane person would choose to cycle, at a time when the fiercest tornado and worst school massacre on record shake the nation, Clark tells the stories of those he encounters with an uncommon sensitivity and understanding. Part travelogue, part social history, all incredibly well written, this is the timeless story of a nation taking stock of itself and the American Dream.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B007Z3R2XI
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Five Leaves Publications
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 27 April 2012
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 7.8 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 474 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1907869600
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer reviews:
    5.0 out of 5 stars 3 ratings

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5 out of 5 stars
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Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 June 2007
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    John Stuart Clark sets out by bicycle to retrace the westward wagon train route of the 1849 California Gold Rush in a journey into grass roots american society and grass roots american psyche in the months preceding 9/11. His route, mainly avoiding the motor-clogged Interstate freeways and major roads, takes him through some of the poorest parts of the rural and urban USA, where he meets a fascinating cross-section of locals.

    The description of this epic journey with the constant battle against the rising headwind (nicknamed The Panther) and his encounters along the way is raw and vivid, painting a fascinating picture of modern-day America.

    A very good read.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 November 2004
    Format: Paperback
    This book is one of those gems that very small publishers can sometimes come up with in a world dominated by multinational 'blockbuster or else' publishers. But that is not to say that it is a small book in any sense; there are three hundred and ninety five pages packed with excitement and interest and I would not have missed a word of them. I really did enjoy reading After the Gold Rush like no other book for a long time.
    It is hard to categorise - travel - history - adventure - USA - (and even a bit of a love story). It is a personal story but not self-indulgent. Basically it is a cycle ride from east to west across North America following the old Gold Rush trails as far as is still possible. The deserts, the rivers and the mountains are still there and the Interstate Highways don't make it any easier or safer for a cyclist either!
    The physical and mental stresses of such a cycle journey are presented alongside the trials and tribulations of the old 'forty niners' and both stories are unfolded with gripping and cleverly interwoven narratives.
    And there are so many different areas of observation. The historical aspects were clearly thoroughly researched beforehand but they are not offered as a history lesson. Rather, they are brought to life as the journey progresses and coloured in where folk memories and historical features are available. And even the wildlife that is encountered is properly noted.
    This is a journey through a part of the USA that we don't hear about in world events and is far from any of the glamorous 'western' film portrayals that we may remember. There are many cameos of fleeting friendships in every chapter. These are sensitively, but not always uncritically, recorded and add up to a description of a widespread section of the population who mostly have a real struggle to enjoy some of the crumbs from the table of the richest nation in history.
    I would have liked some more maps but perhaps the least I could contribute was to make the effort to dig out my own!
    I was moved and impressed by the sheer physical determination of the ride, the amazingly skilful construction of the book and the simple clarity of the writing. What more can I say: Buy it, read it and savour the memory for a long time after.
    9 people found this helpful
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