In 1853, San Francisco newsboy Ready Gates lives up to his nickname. He’s ready for anything—whether it’s shouting the latest headlines from a street corner, sneaking onto a river boat, or tracking down a missing gold miner. But when he crosses the bay to watch the ascension of the first balloon brought to California, his adventures suddenly take an unexpected turn.

Based on a true story and extensive research by the author, this book paints a colorful, evocative and accurate picture of daily life in San Francisco five years after the discovery of gold. It’s drawn from newspapers, letters, diaries and many other historical documents.

“...a detailed account of young Ready Gates fantastic voyage . . . paint[s] a fascinating portrait of everyday life in the bustling Bay Area just five years after the discovery of gold in the nearby Sierra.”-San Francisco Examiner