
The Floor of Heaven
A True Tale of the Last Frontier and the Yukon Gold Rush
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Narrated by:
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John H. Mayer
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By:
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Howard Blum
It is the last decade of the 19th century. The Wild West has been tamed and its fierce, independent and often violent larger-than-life figures – gun-toting wanderers, trappers, prospectors, Indian fighters, cowboys, and lawmen –are now victims of their own success. They are heroes who’ve outlived their usefulness.
But then gold is discovered in Alaska and the adjacent Canadian Klondike and a new frontier suddenly looms - an immense unexplored territory filled with frozen waterways, dark spruce forests, and towering mountains capped by glistening layers of snow and ice.
“Klondicitis,” a giddy mix of greed and lust for adventure, ignites a stampede. Fleeing the depths of a worldwide economic depression and driven by starry-eyed visions of vast wealth, tens of thousands rush northward.
Joining this throng of greenhorns and grifters, whores and highwaymen, sourdoughs and seers are three unforgettable men. In a true-life tale that rivets from the first page, we meet Charlie Siringo, a top-hand sharp-shooting cowboy who, after futilely trying to settle down with his new bride, becomes one of the Pinkerton Detective Agency’s shrewdest; George Carmack, a California-born American Marine who’s adopted by an Indian tribe, raises a family with a Taglish squaw, makes the discovery that starts off the Yukon Gold Rush – and becomes fabulously rich; and Soapy Smith, a sly and inventive predator-conman who rules a vast criminal empire.
As we follow this trio’s lives, we’re led inexorably into a perplexing mystery. A fortune in gold bars has somehow been stolen from the fortress-like Treadwell Mine in Juneau, Alaska, with no clues as to how the thieves made off with such an immensely heavy cargo. To many it appears that the crime will never be solved.
©2011 Howard Bloom (P)2011 Random HouseListeners also enjoyed...




















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What made the experience of listening to The Floor of Heaven the most enjoyable?
All three main characters were fully developed. I felt like I knew them, good and bad, and found myself wishing all three could get what they wanted (even the "bad" guy).What did you like best about this story?
Very detailed and descriptive. I felt like I was there.Also, the way the three different stories were weaved together. Nicely done.
Which scene was your favorite?
If I told you, it would spoil the whole book. Let's just say that the climactic scene is all the more enjoyable because...it really happened!!!If you could rename The Floor of Heaven, what would you call it?
Three Men and a Pot of GoldAny additional comments?
Great read/listen for summer vacations.Better Than Fiction
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You will love it.
A Masterpiece
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I only kept listening because I’m familiar with the places so it was entertaining, but if I didn’t know the area well, I would not have kept listening.
Could have been better…
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Skip to Part 2
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great read, didn't want it to end.
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The Last Frontier
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sad that it ended
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Any additional comments?
I think most everybody is mesmerized by the concept of Alaska in the far North. When I came across this book I immediately knew that I wanted to listen to it. That Gilded Age when the cowboy's life was rapidly disappearing because of the financial conglomerates of the East is an exciting time in America's history. The boom towns and other large cities which were beginning to spring up and grow up provided many opportunities for lackadaisical entrepreneurs to assail themselves upon the public. The story of Johnny Suringo and the other real life characters in this story are amazing, so amazing as to the fact this could not happen, it was too dangerous, there were too many factors to bring their lives to and end. They survived and hopefully someday I will be able to visit some of those northern cities like Sitka, Jueanu and Dawson and see for myself the glaciers which cap the mountains valleys and hide the gold that is still there waiting to be found.I wish I could've been there.
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An Entertaining History
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Love this book!
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