Lingenfelter, a California scientist who has authored other books on the history of mining and the American West, chronicles the history of the mines that helped transform the West and nation, from the first copper bonanza in New Mexico through the California Gold Rush, silver rushes and busts. The themes of speculative bubbles and greater exploitation of resources with new technologies are timely. This well-referenced companion volume to Bonanzas and Borrascas: Copper Kings and Stock Frenzies: 1885-1918 includes illustrations of stock certificates of the companies discussed, and data on Western mining dividends in that period. An imprint of the University of Oklahoma Press. Annotation 2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
