The Bonanza King

John Mackay and the Battle over the Greatest Riches in the American West

Ranked #31 in Mining

“A monumentally researched biography of one of the nineteenth century’s wealthiest self-made Americans…Well-written and worthwhile” (The Wall Street Journal) it’s the rags-to-riches frontier tale of an Irish immigrant who outwits, outworks, and outmaneuvers thousands of rivals to take control of Nevada’s Comstock Lode.

Born in 1831, John W. Mackay was a penniless Irish immigrant who came of age in New York City, went to California during the Gold Rush, and mined without much luck for eight years. When he heard of riches found on the other side of the Sierra...
more

Similar Books

If you like The Bonanza King, check out these similar top-rated books:


Learn: What makes Shortform summaries the best in the world?