Dig Into History with California Jones: Gold Rush

Offering a delightful, chock-full-o'-facts whirlwind tour of the Gold Rush era, Dig Into History with California Jones: Gold Rush presents a surprisingly thorough overview of this crucial period of westward expansion in U.S. history, which began with the “Eureka” discovery of gold in 1848 near Sutter's Mill in Coloma, CA, spurring a “gold fever” that ultimately attracted people from all over the world. Hosted by energetic adventurer “California Jones,” this entry in the titular series aimed at young viewers takes a talented cast of kids on a historic quest for the famed yellow nuggets, along the way visiting boomtowns and ghost towns, learning how to stake a claim and pan for gold, and getting a taste of the daily lives of the miners. Featuring archival photographs and documents, geographical information, and plenty of onscreen vocabulary (lode, karat, malleable, etc.), this fast-paced program boasting clever graphics and neat sound effects serves up a goldmine of fun history. Highly recommended. Aud: E, I, P. (E. Gieschen)