An appreciation of Rock-n-Roll, song by song, from its roots and its inspriations to its divergent recent trends. A work of rough genius; DeanOCOs attempt to make connections though time and across genres is laudable."

This Rock 'n' Roll survey covers 38 of your own "top 40" hits, focusing on every single that broke new ground or topped the charts. It bounces with the excitement of rock music and the vibrant personalities who create it. "Dean (The Rock Revolution, 1967), eschewing traditional boundaries of rock music and focusing on singles rather than albums, recasts popular music of the last century as rock, precursor to rock, or influential on rock. He attempts a thematic rather than chronological approach, although the 42 chapters present a historical flow of sorts. . . . Appropriate wherever music fans like to argue, but best purchased for the circulating collection." CHOICE

Discusses the creation, history, and location of gold, describes tools used by prospectors, and provides instructions on how to find and pan for gold.

Which would you rather do: read about the gold rush? or dip your pan into an icy-cold riverbed, scoop out some rocks and mud, swish it around in the rushing water and discover glistening, glittery flakes of gold? This exciting new series is designed not only to bring history to life for your students, these activities actually bring history into your classroom! Children will have the opportunity to become a part of the exciting adventure as they experience firsthand the lure of gold and the harsh realities of mining life. Fascinating "nuggets" of information about this rare and precious metal, active explorations of the Californian and Alaskan gold rushes, role-playing investigations of the mining life - even a sourdough starter recipe - are included. Teachers are provided with background information, source materials and resources. So push back the desks and roll up your sleeves - here is history in the making!

Describes the nineteenth century American gold rush, and includes information on gold rush "boomtowns," relations between Native Americans and gold rush pioneers, and the importance of the gold rush on American history.

Eighty-eight songs as they were written and sung in the mining camps of California.

Drooling fanatic, n. 1. One who drools in the presence of beloved rock stars. 2. Any of a genus of rock-and-roll wannabes/geeks who walk around with songs constantly ringing in their ears, own more than 3,000 albums, and fall in love with at least one record per week. With a life that’s spanned the phonographic era and the digital age, Steve Almond lives to Rawk. Like you, he’s secretly longed to live the life of a rock star, complete with insane talent, famous friends, and hotel rooms to be trashed. Also like you, he’s content (sort of) to live the life of a rabid fan, one who has converted his unrequited desires into a (sort of) noble obsession. Rock and Roll Will Save Your Life traces Almond’s passion from his earliest (and most wretched) rock criticism to his eventual discovery of a music-crazed soul mate and their subsequent production of two little superfans. Along the way, Almond reflects on the delusional power of songs, the awkward mating habits of drooling fanatics, and why Depression Songs actually make us feel so much better. The book also includes: • sometimes drunken interviews with America’s finest songwriters • a recap of the author’s terrifying visit to Graceland while stoned • a vigorous and credibility-shattering endorsement of Styx’s Paradise Theater • recommendations you will often choose to ignore • a reluctant exegesis of the Toto song “Africa” • obnoxious lists sure to piss off rock critics But wait, there’s more. Readers will also be able to listen to a special free mix designed by the author, available online at www.stevenalmond.com, for the express purpose of eliciting your drool. For those about to rock—we salute you!

Describes the California Gold Rush, including how it began, life in mining camps, and effects of the Gold Rush on California.

The discovery of a nugget in California in 1848 set off the first gold rush in history. In 1849 alone, the population increased 500 percent as 80,000 men rushed to claim its riches; three years later, nearly 250,000 people lived there. By 1865, miners had dug and panned $750 million in gold from the hills and streambeds of California. In other countries, mines that produced precious metals were the property of kings and princes. But in California, the gold, like everything else on the frontier, belonged to those who took it. In The Gold Rush, historian Ralph K. Andrist details the culture and characters that created a pivotal moment in American history.

Taking readers along the 2,000-mile California Gold Trail, Meldahl uses the diaries and letters of the 1849 settlers to reveal how geology and topography directly affected our nations westward expansion.