"This is a story of how ordinary lives shape a society ... a fascinating story for a number of reasons, not least because of where this takes the reader: its geographical scope extends from the streets and court rooms of Britain, to the colonies of Australia and New Zealand, and to the gold rushes in North America. ... a story rich in intrigue and innuendo..." - Dr Julie Kimber, Swinburne University. "... a treasure trove of detail. ... every morsel of information is relished and potentially valuable. ... Douglas Wilkie has researched deeply enough to expose a version around the discovery of gold that is both factual and more colourful than the superficial respectability previously offered." - Babette Smith, author of 'The Luck of the Irish' and 'A Cargo of Women'. "Duchene/Hargraves is a true readers' book. And not just any old readers, but those who seek to lose themselves in the dark corners of intrigue. This is not the typical dry history of the genesis of Australia's industrial heritage, but an absorbing "Who Dunnit?" styled unfolding of the past. ... a proper go-to resource that will sit proudly in any library." - Beth Kicinski, Federation University.