The Dreadful Truth: Gold Rush

The search for gold in Canada has resulted in misadventures in many unlikely places across the country. Ted Staunton tells the story of gold rush times across Canada with accounts that are funny and often fantastic. From odd black rocks concealing 'gold' on Baffin Island to glittering flakes found in Eldorado, Ontario and nuggets in Moose River, Nova Scotia there have been more fools than gold. Even when there really was lots of gold, like at the Klondike, the prospect of fast wealth drove men (and women) to surprising extremes.

Ted Staunton digs up quirky facts such as the different ways to find gold, and modern uses for the valuable stuff, including consumption. He explores just what is the secret of its appeal, and notes how (as the recent Bre-X scandal shows)gold continues to fascinate.