I have bought quite a few books on the subject of gold prospecting. The ones written by Charles Garret are so-so. By far the best books I have read are "The Complete Unabridged Zip Zip by Larry Salle. It is available in an updated version that combines the first two books into one book. It is a must read. I have learned far more from this book than all the others combined. At about $20.00, it is money well spent. Zip Zip has no maps and is strictly written about how to set up your detector, handling hot and cold rocks, ground conditions where gold is best found and many other great tips. If I were to buy only one book about gold detecting, this would be the one. The second book, "Follow the Drywashers" Volume 3, "The Nuggetshooters Bible" by Jim Straight is also excellent. The 3rd book "Finding Gold Nuggets II" by Jimmy Normandi is also a good read.
I hunt gold in Arizona. If you are looking for books that show the best Arizona areas to hunt that also have a lot of good info, I would recommend "Where to Find Arizona's Gold by Delos Toole. It show with maps just about every place in Arizona that has gold. He also wrote one for California also. Two other books I found really useful that are now out of print, but can be found for about $15.00 to $25.00 each are both by the same author, Ronald S. Wielgus. The first is "Arizona's Gold Secret", the second is "Yours For The Taking". Good maps and info in both. The books priced in the range I listed were only listed to be in fair condition, but both were in plenty good enough shape for reading. These books in good to excellent condition sell for more money.
The other Arizona book I found very helpful is "Guide to Arizona's Backroads & 4 - Wheel Drive Trails by Charles A. Wells. Many of the trails featured in the book are in the gold areas and give you a very good idea of road conditions to expect, difficulty level etc. Good maps, mileages and GPS waypoints are featured.
The original gold surveys done years ago are available from the internet for a small download fee. Some of the information is good, some maybe off a little, but it's a good read for research purposes.
If you have found other books that you think are worth mentioning, please list them. List the books for other states also.
Good hunting, John K
I hunt gold in Arizona. If you are looking for books that show the best Arizona areas to hunt that also have a lot of good info, I would recommend "Where to Find Arizona's Gold by Delos Toole. It show with maps just about every place in Arizona that has gold. He also wrote one for California also. Two other books I found really useful that are now out of print, but can be found for about $15.00 to $25.00 each are both by the same author, Ronald S. Wielgus. The first is "Arizona's Gold Secret", the second is "Yours For The Taking". Good maps and info in both. The books priced in the range I listed were only listed to be in fair condition, but both were in plenty good enough shape for reading. These books in good to excellent condition sell for more money.
The other Arizona book I found very helpful is "Guide to Arizona's Backroads & 4 - Wheel Drive Trails by Charles A. Wells. Many of the trails featured in the book are in the gold areas and give you a very good idea of road conditions to expect, difficulty level etc. Good maps, mileages and GPS waypoints are featured.
The original gold surveys done years ago are available from the internet for a small download fee. Some of the information is good, some maybe off a little, but it's a good read for research purposes.
If you have found other books that you think are worth mentioning, please list them. List the books for other states also.
Good hunting, John K
