California Gold: A Novel

Name: California Gold: A Novel
Price: 2.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.5 (2114 reviews)
Author: John Jakes

by John Jakes

Historical Fiction Literary Fiction

4.5 (2,114)

4.5 stars from 2,114 reviews. Top 79% of Historical Fiction books we track.

839 pages~14 hr readPublished by SignetPublished 1989-01-01

$2.9983% off peak

Last checked: Jun 30, 2026

Price history: $0.99 – $17.99

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Price range: $0.99 – $17.99

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Perfect for you if...

You love sweeping historical epics with real historical figures woven into the narrative, especially the Gilded Age and American expansion.
You've read Jakes' other sagas (North and South, Kent Family Chronicles) and want more of his signature blend of personal ambition and historical consequence.
You're drawn to stories where one man's hunger for wealth drives him across a continent and into conflict with titans of industry.

Maybe not for you if...

You prefer intimate, character-driven stories over sprawling historical narratives with multiple timelines and settings.
You want literary fiction that experiments with form. This is traditional historical fiction with a clear plot and straightforward prose.
You're looking for a quick read. At 839 pages, this demands real time and commitment.

About this book

California Gold follows James Macklin Chance, a poor Pennsylvanian drawn to California by dreams of wealth during the Gold Rush era. Set some thirty years after the rush's peak, the novel traces Chance's pursuit of fortune and the lengths he will go to achieve it. Throughout his journey, Chance encounters passionate relationships, formidable adversaries, and historical figures including Leland Stanford, Theodore Roosevelt, and William Randolph Hearst—men who shaped the nation's development. The narrative weaves together themes of ambition, power, and personal struggle against the backdrop of California's transformative period. This ebook edition includes an illustrated biography of John Jakes with rare photographs from his personal collection.

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Price History

Kindle price over time. Green zones = periods when the book was free.

$0.99 – $17.99

Currently on sale at $2.99 — 83% off peak. Price has dropped 42 times over the last 5 years. Goes on sale roughly every 46 days. Typically stays discounted for 9 days.

Sales Rank

Amazon sales rank: lower number = better selling book. #1 is the bestseller.

Currently around #414K in the Kindle store — a niche title. Sales have softened 33% recently.

Rating & Reviews

Purple line = star rating over time. Blue area = total review count growth.

Currently 4.5★ from 2,114 reviews

Gaining approximately 12 new reviews per month. Rating has remained stable at 4.5 over the tracking period.

Sale Prediction

Actual Predicted

This book is currently discounted at $2.99. It typically returns to around $17.99.

Prices shown in USD from Amazon US. We continuously pull new data to improve tracking. If dates look old, it usually means there has been no significant change since the last data point.

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