The year is 1850. Rumors of gold in California turn out to be true. Thousands of people board ships or travel cross-country by wagon train to head for the mines. In New York City, young Marcus Gale, would like to join them, if only to escape his gambling debts. Too bad he doesn’t have money for a ticket-or a square meal. He jumps at the chance for a berth as stoker on a sidewheel steamer headed for the gold fields, even though he’s not sure what a stoker does. Fortunately, Marcus is a fast learner when it comes to shoveling coal and understanding steam engines. He finds it more difficult to understand people, especially the kind willing to risk everything to get to the gold. He wonders about Captain Cutter, who hates steam and lives in a state of paranoia, thinking people are plotting against him. He may be right. And then, there’s the beautiful Alouette Thorndyke, the wealthy heiress who Marcus thinks is an angel. Then again, what is she, really-angel or swindler?
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James Watt, born in Greenock, January 19, 1736, had the advantage, so highly prized in Scotland, of being of good kith and kin. He had indeed come from a good nest. His great-grandfather, a stern Covenanter, was killed at Bridge of Dee, September 12, 1644, in one of the battles which Graham of Claverhouse fought against the Scotch. He was a farmer in Aberdeenshire, and upon his death the family was driven out of its homestead and forced to leave the district.
Please note: Our posting a book in our Homeschool Librarian database does not mean that we endorse its contents. Please use your own discretion when selecting books for your child to read. Also, we are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Purchases made through our affiliate links help support this site. Book descriptions are sourced from either Amazon.com or GoodReads.
In this book, the reader learns that James Watt was a scientific instrument maker who was asked to repair a working model of an early type of steam engine used to pump water out of Cornish tin mines. It was when he set about improving the design, so it would exert more power but use less fuel, and teamed up with a mine owner from Birmingham, that his machines became popular. Despite illness and heartbreak, Watt went on to modify his engine so it could power machines in factories that produced goods, such as cotton. The narrative shows how this ushered in the era of mass-production, while accurate illustration show how Watt’s engines work.
Please note: Our posting a book in our Homeschool Librarian database does not mean that we endorse its contents. Please use your own discretion when selecting books for your child to read. Also, we are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Purchases made through our affiliate links help support this site. Book descriptions are sourced from either Amazon.com or GoodReads.
