Historical Fictionistas discussion

I recently went on holidays to Ainsworth B.C. which is a little spit of a town offering a hot springs and lovely beach shoreline and a wicked hike to a historic cemetery dating back to the 1890's. I was so swept up in the place and the few historic places and stories that I came away desperate to know more. I plan on finding some non-fiction but I do love a good HF book too so any recomendations? It doens't have to be set in B.C. or even Canada for that matter but I would love it all the more if it was!

Two books that I can think of that deal with gold mining are Calico Palace by Gwen Bristow, which deals with the 1849 California gold rush, and The Colour by Rose Tremain which is set in New Zealand. One that I really enjoyed was Heartbroke Bay by Lynn D'urso, which is about the Klondike.

I've read:
Jason's Gold, in which Jack London is a character.
The Call of the Wild, told from the sled-dog's POV.
Daughter of Fortune (really liked this one).

I read and recommend Take Me Homeby Brian Leung.

I haven't read this series, but I think it's mystery series set in Colorado. This is the first book: Silver Lies by Ann Parker

I recently read Gypsy by Lesley Pearce which is about the gold rush to Canada.

Wow thank you so much to everyone who has so far contributed! Its like the good book fairy came while I was asleep! I have added everyone of these books on my To-Read List and plan to hit the library on a mission today.
Thank you!

I'm with Rebecca: I love Calico Palace!

Good luck with the library, and looking forward to what you have to say about these books when you read them.

Men to Match My Mountains: The Opening of the Far West 1840-1900 by Irving Stone

Grubstake: A Story of Early Mining Days in Nevada Time 1874 I am not sure if this is HF or not, but it will be accurate to say the least. It was written by my great grandfather. His father hit it big in the "mother lode" in Nevada and Mark was also a miner. I have yet to get a copy of this one to read myself.

While I have a long family history in mining, I have yet to read any HF on it so I am curious what you think of these books as well!

Kristine wrote: "Grubstake: A Story of Early Mining Days in Nevada Time 1874 I am not sure if this is HF or not, but it will be accurate to say the least. It was written by my great grandfather. ..."

If you go to www.worldcat.com you can run a search for the book and it will search the book's availability in libraries. I did run a search and found a copy at
University of Utah
J. Willard Marriott Library
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84112 United States

The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt but based after 1849 rush though

Much of Colleen McCullough's The Touch was set in a mining town in Australia?

Shay wrote: "Kristine wrote: "Grubstake: A Story of Early Mining Days in Nevada Time 1874 I am not sure if this is HF or not, but it will be accurate to say the least. It was written by my gre..."

Shay, you are a plethora of information! :) I know right where that is too....I may have to ask one of my daughters friends who attend the U to check it out for me.

Wow more excellent recomendations- thank you! Hopefully there are others out there enjoying these suggestions as well!

Comstock Lode by Louis L'Amour. It's longer and not as formulaic as many Louis L'Amour's, and it gives an enjoyable picture of the early days of the Comstock Lode silver strike in Virginia City, Nevada.

Roughing It by Mark Twain- about Twain's experiences in Norther Nevada while his brother was Secretary of the Nevada Territory.
The California Gold Rush and the Coming of the Civil War by Leonard L. Richards
The Floor of Heaven by Howard Blum
Letters from the Corrugated Castle: A Novel of Gold Rush California, 1850-1852 by Joan W. Blos- YA, but looks interesting
Gold!: The Story of the 1848 Gold Rush and How It Shaped a Nation by Fred Rosen

Ribbons of Grace by Maxine Alterio is set in the Otago, New zealand gold rush.

One that I read in the late 70s and loved was The Proud Breed by Celeste De Blasis!

Men to Match My Mountains: The Opening of the Far West by Irving Stone apparently FORGOT THE WOMEN!!!

Daughter of Fortune was really good. It was the first book that I've read by Allende. I have Calico Palace and hope to read it soon.

While its not the main plot, one of the characters is obsessed with mining and it goes into a little bit of detail. Penmarric by Susan Howatch

On Gold Mountain: The One-Hundred-Year Odyssey of My Chinese-American Family