Gold!

"If money makes the world go round, gold is the axis on which it turns." Since man first crawled out of the slimy primordial soup and stubbed his toe on a pretty rock, gold has been an object of desire. The History Channel's Gold! chronicles mankind's relationship with the glittering metal, from creating status-announcing ornaments for kings to becoming an international monetary standard. Episode one, The Gold Wars, recounts the history of the many civilizations that have been enslaved or destroyed in the acquisition of gold, from Spanish plunder in South America to the ultimate demise of the British empire in South Africa. Episode two, Gold Fever, opens with the California gold rush and outlines subsequent discoveries in Australia, Alaska, North Dakota, and South Africa, tracing the evolution of gold mining from slave labor to lone prospector to corporate empire. Episode three, The Stuff of Dreams, examines ancient and modern day treasure hunters' quests for the city of El Dorado, the Ark of the Covenant, and sunken Spanish ships. The final episode, Cold Hard Cash, traces how the development of coinage in 500 B.C. changed trading from barter to currency-based, eventually evolving into the international standard rates of exchange that govern the contemporary global economy. A one of a kind series that highlights gold's multifaceted history--from catalyst of heinous acts against entire cultures to symbol of financial stability--this is highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (L. Stevens)