Great Tales of the Gold Rush

Monika Rohlmann is an environmental consultant in Yellowknife, Northwest
Territories.

It was the greatest gold rush in history. In 1896, gold was discovered
on a tributary of the Klondike River near the present site of Dawson
City, Yukon. When news reached the outside world nearly a year later, it
unleashed the most frenzied rush of gold seekers imaginable. Thousands
of people from all walks of life focused on this small area with the
hope of either making a fortune, or going broke or dying in their
attempt to do so. At the time, it seemed like the whole world hungered
for news about the “Klondike.” Thus was born a fascination with the
North that persists to this day as we try to understand what motivated
people to venture into that harsh and unforgiving land over 100 years
ago.

This book is a collection of some of the best short stories written
about the gold rush. Robert Service and Jack London are two of the more
notable authors. There are historical accounts, stories of adventure and
hardship, and tales of heroes, rascals, cowards, and average men driven
to madness through adversity and isolation.

In this exciting collection of northern stories, we are afforded a rare
glimpse into the lives of one group of pioneers, who displayed a courage
and fortitude that seems sadly lacking in our lives today.