Fists Full of Gold is the very latest, most complete and comprehensive gold prospecting book on the market. This book takes a unique and different approach in teaching the “trade skills” of prospecting – it covers not just equipment, but the knowledge you really need to find those locations with recoverable gold. This information is important because in the final analysis, no matter well you operate your dredge, metal detector or other prospecting equipment, unless you can find those deposits where the gold is concentrated, your equipment cannot help you recover it. Fists Full of Gold is a handbook for all types of gold prospecting, but contains far more information and detail than any prospecting book available. It has a very complete and up to date section on nugget detecting, but also covers dry washing and even other stuff like panning, sluicing, dredging, etc.  The book covers minerals, geology and how to do your own research in an understandable way that is not just for rank beginners. Many guys with 10 or even 20 years of experience looking for gold will learn a lot from this book. This book is brand new and up to date, explaining all the latest metal detector technology, current geologic knowledge, how to use GPS in prospecting, how to use the internet for research and other items of interest. (And yes, I am the author - this is my book)

This is the leading monthly publication for those interested in prospecting for gold. I actually write a number of the articles in this magazine, and it has lots of up to date information on prospecting, laws and rules that effect prospectors and the latest prospecting equipment that is available. Unlike the rest of the links in the bookstore, this link will not take you through to Amazon - the link will take you directly to the Magazine's website. For a subscription to this magazine, contact the Mining Journal directly at their website:
 

A great book on some of the little known spots to prospect in Nevada. Covers both where to find gold, as well as where to prospect for gems like turquoise. James Klein has written a number of books about prospecting for gold. This book has my full stamp of approval - I own a copy.

Jim Klein has written a number of books on prospecting. He has spent many years prospecting all over the Western US - he went a lot of trips where he took his kids out with him. This book is targeted to those kids in the family - because prospecting is a fine idea for a family outing. A great book for children interested in rocks and minerals - a great Christmas or birthday gift.

Gail Butler has written a number of magazine articles on prospecting for gold, and is well known by the readers of those magazines. This book is a great introduction and will provide the necessary information to the person wanting to find out more and really get involved in prospecting.

I have read this book and think real highly of it. Its a well executed general handbook that will give you the basic background and information you need to delve fully into the hobby of  prospecting. A lot of detail on general prospecting is provided, but the main emphasis is on dredging.

I have heard many good things concerning this book, that it is a very handy reference with loads of good information. Just what you need to find your own gold nuggets.

Alaska has produced large amounts of placer gold nuggets and still produces some really good gold. The land rules are a little different in Alaska, so having a book locating where one can legally prospect is very worthwhile if you would like to try your hand in this location. I have heard some really good things about this book.

This was probably the first prospecting book I ever purchased and still one of my favorites. Much of the info on metal detectors is out of date, but the rest, which is on dredging,  is still really great. A very good basic book for those interested in dredging.

Another book that I've heard great things about. Lots of great information for the intermediate to advanced prospector. Covers information on both placer gold (nuggets) as well as hard rock mining (veins of gold bearing rock). Unfortunately its long out of print and hard to get hold of a copy.

The book you want to buy if you will be seeking gold in the state of Arizona. A great listing of the districts and locations where placer gold has been found in Arizona, together with the statistics on how much gold was found, the size of the nuggets and their sources. I have a copy in my own library.

This is a wonderful book telling the story of how a young man and his wife survived in the mother lode country during the great depression by prospecting for and mining gold on a small scale with just a pan and a sluice box. Not so much a "how to" book, but after you read this one, you will know his techniques and methods for finding gold. A great read for for those evenings when you are out on prospecting trips. The book has my full stamp of approval and I have a copy in my own library - its one of my favorites.

Another prospecting book by my friend Jim Straight. Many prospectors who search for gold nuggets ignore the potential of detecting hard rock deposits with a metal detector for gold. Jim fills in what you need to know on this topic. I have a copy myself and its a great reference.

Dave is an energetic and knowledgeable guy who has become the leading expert in the field of dredging for gold. I cant think of anyone who knows more, or has more experience. This book is a little bit more expensive, but has some really great information you just wont find elsewhere. The book has my full stamp of approval and I have a copy of all three in my own library - highly recommended.

This is a fine text introducing the pastime of prospecting to new folks. It contains lots of good basic information on a variety of prospecting methods - dredging, highbanking, sniping, metal detecting, etc. In short the perfect introductory book. I've had a copy for many years, and to tell you how old my copy is - its Gold Mining in the 1980's (this new version is of course, updated).

Where to Find Gold In Southern California
by James Klein

I grew up and this was another one of the first books I purchased when I became interested in prospecting. There are a number of districts in Southern California that produced placer gold and I used this book to prospect a number of them. Good basic "where to find gold" information for those folks living in Southern California.

Check Price or Purchase Where to Find Gold in Southern California

Need some ideas on where to start your search prospecting for gold? This book will give you a great amount of information on where to search for gold in Arizona. It is a fairly complete listing of where placer gold has been found within the state. The book also includes a great listing of old information sources that Johnson used to compile this book. These old sources of information can be used to do further research. The book has my full stamp of approval and I have a copy in my own library.

Need some ideas on where to start your search prospecting for gold? This book will give you a great amount of information on where to search for gold in Nevada. It is a fairly complete listing of where placer gold has been found within the state. The book also includes a great listing of old information sources that Johnson used to compile this book. These old sources of information can be used to do further research. The book has my full stamp of approval and I have a copy in my own library.

The book focuses more on hardrock prospecting - with research by the author explaining and interpreting small high grade gold deposits still in place. While the book focuses on Oregon deposits, many of the lessons here apply to other locations as well.

Check Price or Purchase  The Elusive "Pocket Gold" of South Western Oregon

In the desert areas where little or no water flows, recovering gold by wet methods is just not an option. Dry washing is the way to go in these situations. In this book, Klein explains how successful dry washing is done and how the equipment works. Good basic introductory information.

This book covers the very productive deposits of the mother lode country across the Sierra Nevada range. Millions of ounces of gold have been recovered from the Sierra Nevada - this book will help you recover your share of the golden riches. A very fine "where to find gold" type of book, with much useful reference information for those living near or wanting to visit the Sierra Nevada.

Need some ideas on where to start your search prospecting for gold? This book will give you a great amount of information on where to search for gold in New Mexico. It is a fairly complete listing of where placer gold has been found within the state. The book also includes a great listing of old information sources that Johnson used to compile this book. These old sources of information can be used to do further research. Like the other books in this series, this book has my full stamp of approval.

Need some ideas on where to start your search prospecting for gold? This book will give you a great amount of information on where to search for gold in Utah. It is a fairly complete listing of where placer gold has been found within the state. The book also includes a great listing of old information sources that Johnson used to compile this book. These old sources of information can be used to do further research. Like the other books in this series, this book has my full stamp of approval.

Exposed quartz veins and gossans outcroppings of silver and gold are the main source of eroded minerals from most of the area's mineralized fault zones across Nevada. In pre-Tertiary time there was very little forceful water movement to concentrate gold placer. What water movement did occur scattered the gold placer across the topography, into pre-glaciered gully formations, ancient stream beds and ganged into basins.

Gold Nugget-teering in Northern California covers the deposits of the Klamath Mountain region along with its many placer gravel areas in the rivers and creeks. The book provides a list of GPS locations for abandoned old mines give the reader a jump start for exacting locations of old mine ore debris aprons. Maps run through the book giving old mine locations showing their long. & lat. positions where a GPS receiver can be used to find their locations. In the wilds of the Klamath Mountain region a GPS receiver is a necessity to keep from getting lost in the heavily forested canopy where landmarks are hard to see.

Alaska has produced large quantities of gold, and still does. Anchorage is perhaps the most accessible part of Alaska - this book will help you locate gold near Anchorage. A very fine "where to find gold" type of book. The author is a well known and successful gold prospector.

Alaska has produced large quantities of gold, and still does. Millions of ounces of gold have been recovered from Alaska - this book will help you recover your share of those golden riches. A very fine "where to find gold" type of book, with much useful reference information for those living in or wanting to visit the the great state of Alaska. The best book of its type for Alaska. 

Few people know that Samuel Clemons (Mark Twain) got into writing because he failed to succeed at mining. Twain came to Nevada during the "boom times" with his brother Orion who had been appointed by Abe Lincoln as the first secretary to the first Territorial governor. Twain was bitten hard by gold and silver fever, and traveled to several mining areas in Nevada as well as California. In this book, he tells the story of his time "out west" in a most humorous manner. Again, its not so much a "how to" book, but it is very entertaining and has my full stamp of approval. A great read for for those evenings when you are out on prospecting trips. I have a copy in my own library - its one of my favorites.

Lots of really great research information is contained in this large and extensive volume. Virtually all the mining camps in Nevada that lasted more than a year or so are described here along with a number of rare and historic photos. It is strange to read about and see old photos of thriving towns that are now just sagebrush flats. Hundreds of pages of very useful information for the prospector and treasure hunter. 

Anyone who is interested in investing in gold mining exploration companies should read this book first. It a story of greed and disaster that occurred when the stock of a small exploration company went from pennies to over $200, and very quickly back to nothing at all. This truly bizarre conspiracy story involves the salting of drill samples, public announcement of the greatest gold deposit ever found (but it was only a lie) and the suicide of the chief geologist. Thousands of individuals lost vast sums of money and basically no one was punished. A fascinating read.

BRE-X was not the first small exploration company to rip off the innocent but greedy investor. George Rice was making it a career almost a century earlier. Rice was eventually arrested for his stock swindles, but never one to waste an opportunity, while in prison he wrote his story in the form of this book. It became a best seller when it was released - and made more than a few honest bucks for the old crook. When eventually released, Rice went back to the goldfields of Nevada and his old stock manipulating ways. He was soon arrested again - you'd think folks would figure it out, but it seems like a new sucker is born every day. A century ago, Rice was there to take advantage of the naive, gold greedy suckers of that earlier day. Another fun and fascinating read.