Rating: 
Summary: Very Entertaining Historical Fiction!
Review: In California Gold, John Jakes has once again created a very engrossing story wrapped in lots of interesting history about California. As usual, his plot moves along at a brisk pace and he introduces many interesting characters -- both fictional and real-life. The main character, James Macklin Chance, is one of Jakes' more memorable ones. I'm sure you'll enjoy how he comes to California as a young man, poor financially but rich in ambition, and his adventures in building one fortune on top of another. If you enjoy historical fiction, and especially if you're a John Jakes fan, do yourself a favor and get a copy of California Gold. You'll be richer for the reading experience.
Rating: 
Summary: Ok
Review: It is a good book but it tends to move too fast in the story line and it jumps around a lo
Rating: 
Summary: The GodFather of the Historical novel strikes again!
Review: Jakes's name is a very common one here in my house. My family, (except me) has read the Kent Family Chronicles, and I haven't yet. I did, however, take a shot at this one, and I did enjoy every single moment of it. Very accurately written. If only school history books could have such an evocative lyricism such as his....
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Summary: Kicks A**!!!
Review: John Jakes fans be prepared, this is one of the kings best. Ittakes on a setting that he doesn't touch on all that much in hisnovels, old time California. As cities rise from the desert coast, so do the lives and loves of James Macklin Chance. From the dirt streets of soon to be LA to the high class Knob Hill of San Fransisco; and from the arms of an Ashton Main-like seductress to the love of one of Jakes' most memorable heroines. This book quite easily became one of my favourite of Jakes' novels. Enjoy it again and again. I did!
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Summary: A Perspective Regarding History
Review: There are some people that feel that reading fiction is a waste of time. For people giving a second thought to this line of thinking, this would be a book worthy of attention.Understanding history requires a context that cannot be defined with a simple equation or any number of footnotes. Fiction makes this possible and John Jake's efforts in this book should be noteworthy as well as entertaining. As with anything worth value it will be debated sooner or later again and again from numerous perspectives that never come together. This is the thing that makes this interesting. If you have an interest in history and how if effects us as far as where we are going it should be viewed as having fun, as it is going to repeat itself again and again given human nature. Given the effort given in producing this book I am a little surprised at the few reviews it has been given on this board. History, political science and the interactions of how personal relationships are masterfully presented in this book. Sure it a work of fiction. Presenting the perspectives how people being part of it could not be done any better than what was presented in the tale this book presented. Of coarse this is just my opinion. Rich
Rating:
Summary: A Good Historical Novel!
Review: This was certainly a book that you could enjoy. This book also gave you a good picture of the history of California. This book chronicles the rise from poverty to massive riches for a young man from Pennylsvania. He first grows immensely wealthy by taking part in the oil industry of California. From making big money in petroleum he moves into the citrus industry. He is able to continue making money in the citrus business. His next step is in water rights. This novel also tells of some of his lady loves that he becomes familiar with. Also interesting is some of the potent enemies that he gets in the state of California. This is a good depiction of wealth and power gained in the Golden State. If you read this book you will read a good story as well as get a good history of the state of California. It is also very unique the way that John Jakes uses some historical figures from these days in this story. Read this book,you will not be dissapointed.
Rating:
Summary: A little different than some of his works.....
Review: Vivid characters make this one of Jakes' best. Although he's usually more enjoyable when writing about families (the Crowns and Kents) I enjoyed this book a lot, too. Vivid and believable, Mack Chance was a bigger-than-life yet human protagonist to whom I could truly relate. Wyatt Paul as a depraved villain made my skin crawl- his best (worst) villain yet, in my opinion!
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