A history of the two-thousand-mile-long river that was once the major path from Canada through Alaska to the Bering Sea. Describes the climate, cities, peoples, gold fever, and dog sled and steamboat travel along this waterway that exists today as a potential source of electric power or an unspoiled wildlife sanctuary.
Relates how the Gold Rush in California led Edward Hargraves to discover gold in Australia and traces the subsequent frantic period of Australian history.
