What makes this Yale Professor Rodman's book so classic is the reference footnotes to 19th century newspapers and other documents, showing superb scholarship in the post-WWII period when it was written. This isn't just a romantic history, the details of mining methods and economics over years, often presented in charts, is excellent. The index in back is complete. I first read this text as beat up 3rd 1967 reprint sold used for $3.50, but I realized the value and bought a First Edition hardbound copy. This is a must have in the California History or Western Mining History Library. ( )