(Published 2006)
Foreword by John Molony, Emeritus Professor, Australian National University, Canberra
Starting in 1851 gold was found in often stunning abundance in New South Wales, but particularly in Victoria’s Golden Triangle. Many thought that Australia had to be laced with gold, but Ballarat and Bendigo did not easily recur. The tragedy was that enough gold was found in countless places to cause an initial rush to them. Quickly, too quickly, the gold ran thin and hopes, often lives, were shattered.Even worse was the frustration, almost madness, brought on when El Dorado could not be found. Astoundingly, too few accepted that it simply did not exist. No one has
Of course that is the thing about gold. Men, but few women, when they hear it has been found get up, leave all and rush to the place to scratch up some for themselves. Fool’s Gold is a gripping, at times heart-wrenching story because of the needless misery and despair brought on so many by that primeval urge to rush. Around this phenomenon, and sometimes causing it, a vast literature grew up which was often more hair brained than the reality that gave it life. Barry McGowan’s examination of that literature forms part of the rich lode on which his book is based.
Fool’s Gold does not attempt to tell the full story of Australian myths and legends about gold. It deals only with the least foolish. In the end we put it down with awe and a tinge of sorrow. Blighted lives, unfulfilled dreams, but yet the dreamers strove valiantly. Who are we to say they failed? One thing we can say. Barry McGowan has achieved a worthwhile goal, admirably so.
294 pages, 7 maps, 36 black and white photos, limp cover
