Amazon.com
Forensic geologist Emily Hansen has come to Salt Lake City to see her lover and perhaps to marry him. But before she makes the decision, she is manipulated by FBI agent Tom Latimer into investigating a possibly fraudulent gold-mining operation on federal land. Another geologist is missing, and a scientist charged with assessing the environmental impact of proposed new drilling operations is dead in what appears to Em to be murder rather than an accident.

Author Sarah Andrews's strength is her feeling for the arid landscape of Utah and Nevada. She is somewhat shakier in describing her heroine's conflicted emotions about her problematic romantic attachment and the strong sense of autonomy that leads her to take Latimer's bait and get involved in the case. The physical landscape is brilliantly evoked, while the territory of the heart has more subtle boundaries that draw the reader in to a rather convoluted plot. This is the sixth outing for Em, and Andrews's fans will follow her anywhere, even through the detailed and somewhat tedious scientific and geological explanations about mining and a barely more compelling explication of gold's timeless allure. The minor characters are more interesting than many of the central figures: a Paiute shaman, a wealthy woman who pilots her own plane, and the upright Mormon policeman whose proposal provokes Em's exploration into her own inner world. Readers can expect to find out more about him in Em's next outing. --Jane AdamsBook Description
Packed with suspense, science and lots of gold, Sarah Andrews' sixth novel takes us from the eagles' domain high over the American West right down into the depths of the earth itself. Like a modern-day Sherlock Holmes, Andrews' engaging heroine, forensic geologist Emily Hansen, uses geological clues to solve crimes. Now, fresh from extricating herself-just barely-from suspicion in the investigation of the murder of a dinosaur paleontologist in Salt Lake City, Em allows a wily FBI agent to talk her into assisting the Bureau on another case. Em and the agent head into the deserts of Nevada: gambling and gold mining country, where fortunes-and lives-are won and lost. Their task is to investigate the high stakes behind conflicting reports about an endangered species on federal land, land the government has leased to a proposed billion-dollar gold-mining operation. But when they arrive, they discover the case has taken an alarming and lethal turn. The biologist they have flown five hundred miles to interrogate lies dead in her pickup truck at the edge of a lonesome road, and a key mining geologist has gone missing. What started as a simple fraud investigation quickly develops into an intricate murder case in which Em must unravel the secrets of gold, the desert, and an Indian tribe struggling to maintain its secrets. The wide-open spaces harbor a deadly enigma that is all too human-and what's at stake is not just Em's life. Andrews has updated observations into the dirt on dead men's shoes for the golden age of high-tech forensic analysis. An Eye for Gold is an enthralling, nail-biting adventure in the air and underground-her best book yet. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Surprisingly Refreshing
I thoroughly enjoyed An Eye for Gold.I read the book for my geology class, but I found myself not being ble to put it down.Structurally, the writing style was unique, but because we discuss a lot of the subject matter in class, I found it more interesting.The biggest hinderance to me was her plot structure because it wasn't the traditional conflict-climax-resolution, but once I got past that I found it to be a real page turner.

good story
I was not originally going to review this book but disagreed wildly with the other reviews.I thought the mining detail was one of the most interesting facets of the book, not at all hard to follow, and added immensely to my enjoyment of the book.Similarly, i was delighted with the non-formulaic nature of the plot; it is intriguing not to be able to unravel the whole thing on page 10 or so.I also enjoyed the digression into the character of the missing geologist and his relationship with his wife.For me, the most unconvincing and flattest part of the book is Em's relationship with Ray, her ostensible love interest.Maybe he will develop some in later books, but I just could not believe that this woman could have reached the point of thinking about marrying someone who wants her to abandon the intellectual side of her nature.Nor am i convinced by Em's repeated soul-searching and rejection of requests to helf the FBI.This woman could not be this un-self-aware.

Zero star is more like it
I was very disappointed by this book. I found the writing to be ok but the story was not well structured and this book needed some serious editing it did not receive. I did not find anything about the characters appealing and frankly could not tell the good guys from the bad guys. If you want to read a much better written and interesting book with archaeology as a back drop I would highly recommned Beverly Connor's Airtight Case.

Tough read...
I really enjoy the Em Hanson books and would have easily given the other books in the series 5 stars, but this book is far too technical for the average reader. At times, I felt like I was reading a miner's manual.For me, all of the explanations of mining procedures, chemical analysis and mineral analysis did not add to the story.I found myself skipping over many paragraphs then would have to back up and reread.That got very tedious.

Good read to get away grom it all
It has been a bust for the oil industry with prices so low that manycompanies are laying off long time employees. Forensic geologist Em Hansenis out of work again so she visits her boyfriend Ray to see if theirrelationship has any longevity. While in Salt Lake City, Em joins FBI agentTom Latimer for lunch. They successfully worked together on a case and Tomactively recruits Em to join the Feds. Em rejects the notion of joiningsuch a regimented group as the FBI.

She accompanies Tom to Nevadawhere he investigates a claim filed against a mining company. Pat Gilmoreclaims that this proposed mining operation will destroy the habitat of anendangered species. However, by the time Em and Tom reach theirdestination, Pat has died in a car accident. Em cannot resist the lure ofsleuthing, which brings her to the attention of someone whose actions placethe geologist on a personal endangered list.

Oil prices aside, a SarahAndrews mystery is a human drama. Her latest tale allows her fans to seeinside the heroine in such a way tht the reader grasps Em's confusion dueto the conflict between her inner fears and dreams. The mystery is welldone and fast-paced aided by complex secondary characters. AN EYE FOR GOLDis treasure for anyone who enjoys an environmentalwho-done-it.

Harriet Klausner ... Read more

Book Description
The discovery of gold in 1848 catapulted California into statehood and triggered environmental, social, political, and economic events whose repercussions are still felt today. Mary Hill combines her scientific training with a flair for storytelling to present the history of gold in California from the distant geological past through the wild days of the Gold Rush to the present.
The early days of gold fever drew would-be miners from around the world, many enduring great hardships to reach California. Once here, they found mining to be backbreaking work and devised machines to help recover gold. These machines pawed gravel from river bottoms and tore apart mountainsides, wreaking environmental havoc that silted rivers, ruined farmlands, and provoked the world's first environmental conflict settled in the courts. Native Americans were nearly wiped out by invading miners or their diseases, and many Spanish-speaking settlers--Californios--were pushed aside.
Hill writes of gold's uses in today's world for everything from coins to coffins, gourmet foods to spacecraft. Her comprehensive overview of gold's impact on California includes illustrated explanations of geology and mining in nontechnical language as well as numerous illustrations, maps, and photographs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Revisionist history at its finest
If you enjoy reading what could have been as to what really happened through the lens of modern times please read this book. If "jawboning" issues in the light of political correctness is for you...read the book! If one is interested in scholarly history; however, don't waste your time.

Very Interesting Book
I recently took a geology class regarding "California's Gold Country" and this was the text the teacher recommended. Zipping to Amazon.COM I discovered they did indeed have it (no doubt!). Needless to say, it contains quite a colorful and amazing history of why California was the place to go for gold. Students of history or individuals wanting to learn more about the Gold Rush era of California I would definetely recommend this book. This student in geology certainly did. ... Read more

Product Description
THIS IS A NEW BOOKLET WITH 25 PAGES OF INFORMATION. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (4)

New delights
I did not know much about geology when I started, but I knew a lot after reading this lovely mixture of history and enthusiastic, clearly explained geology. The book is also a pleasure to hold and read. Excellent [though 'auriferous' has nothing to do with iron- 'fer' [aquifer, conifer]and ferr' are different roots].But that's trivial!

Great book for the modern road warrior!
Great book, had just the right mix of history, geology and first person accounts. As someone who travels extensively all over the US, I often fly over many of the locations the emigrants travel, and I must say they were a hearty lot.A great read!

21st century science meets 19th century adventure
This book blends history and geology, and the result is quite unique and fascinating.The book explores the geologic history of the American West while telling the story of how gold rush pioneers crossed that rugged landscape.The author writes clearly and well about geology, and has a knack for coming up with nifty analogies to explain geologic processes.The chapter titled Cordilleran Upheaval is great, like a crash course in how everything geologically from the Rockies to California came to be.The story of gold rush pioneers is told very well, with abundant first-hand quotations to explain what it was like to travel the "hard road west" in 1849.I came away thinking that the trip of the 49ers competes with Lewis and Clark as a great adventure story.The middle part of the book moves a bit slowly, but the earlier sections on the Great Plains and Rockies, and the final chapters on the Humboldt River, desert, and Sierra Nevada are terrific.Overall highly recommended for anyone interested in the gold rush or the American West.

Great read about early western history and geology
I didn't have exceptionally high expectations when I picked up this book.Iam a fan of Johm McPhee's superlative series of books on geology such as "Basin and Range".This author is not McPhee and his prose is not as polished nor as expressive.It is however very serviceable and he has a good grasp of his subjects and has blended history and geology and geography in a very workmanlike manner.He provides a good description of the terrain the emigrants encountered on the California Trail, the geological forces that formed it, how it affected their choice of routes, and how it contributed to the chalanges and hardships they faced in their travels.It has one advantage over McPhee in that the Geology is more up to date.McPhee's writing though still relevant is a little dated in the light of the latest geological studies and discoveries.I highly recommend this book. It would make a great companion for anyone planning a trip along the old California Trail. ... Read more

Book Description
An informal and engaging history of San Diego's own Gold Rush. A Good Camp takes readers through the history of this unique mining region, whose quartz veins once yielded millions of dollars worth of gold; from the first meager strikes to the big discoveries, and on to the eventual bust times for Julian, Banner, and surrounding areas. Leland Fetzer briefly explains the geology of the area, and describes mining and milling as it really was at the most productive mines, including the Stonewall and Ranchita.

Learn about the hardy immigrants, former soldiers, and pioneers who discovered "gold in them thar hills." Discover why, of the hundreds who flocked to the area in the 1870s, some struck it rich and some died penniless, and how some well-known San Diegans earned their fame.

A Good Camp also tells some of the fascinating history of Julian itself, a few houses that quickly blossomed into a boomtown and eventually grew into a popular tourist destination. The book contains dozens of photos of what remains of many famous mines, includes maps, diagrams, and historic photographs, and concludes with a guide to the mines that can be visited and toured. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Not all the gold was in northern California!
I attended a lecture by the author of this book at a community college in the San Diego area.He obviously has done his homework and then some, including rare photographs along with his text.Reading the book after or even before a trip to this picturesque town in the hills above San Diego gives one an idea as to what was the past lifeblood here.And the book is worth its weight in--yes--gold when actually scouting out sites of past mines.Of course, after such an excursion, a piece of apple pie--containing Julian's agricultural treasure--brings you into the present.

Blends historic photos and details
A Good Camp: Gold Mines Of Julian And The Cuyamacas is an informal hand fascinating istory of the San Diego gold rush of 1870, and provides the reader with a lively cast of local characters blended with a geology of the region and an exploration of early mining processes. The result is a history which blends historic photos and details of a Southern California mining spree.

An interesting side to San Diego history
This book showed a really interesting side to San Diego history--the gold rush! I've lived here all my life, and didn't know there was so much to learn about gold mining in the Julian area. I especially liked the parts about the people who lived then, and how they worked in the gold mines. I've been to Julian before, but the book made me want to visit again. ... Read more