Wild Times During the Yukon Gold Rush

Unquestionably, the best book I've read all summer has to be "The Floor of Heaven: a True Tale of the Last Frontier and the Yukon Gold Rush" by Howard Blum. Although clearly a Wild West-type story, most of the action occurs along the border of Canada and during the Yukon Gold Rush in Alaska. This vibrant non-fiction narrative tells the tale of George Carmack, a Marine Corps deserter whose gold discovery sets off a swarm of prospectors to the Yukon wilds; flamboyant snake-oil salesman "Soapy" Smith and his nefarious gang soon follow where fortunes are to be made. Cowboy turned Pinkerton detective Charlie Stringo goes after the bad guys in a tour de force of investigation that will keep you on the edge of your seat. This superb real-life adventure story begs to be made into a major motion picture, and I very much hope that happens. Blum is an incredibly gifted writer and researcher. This book should be a best-seller.