In an absorbing historical novel, five men who brave the frozen Canadian wilderness during the Klondike gold rush of 1897, risking everything to fulfill their dreams. A highly readable drama filled with the blend of fact and fiction that is Michener's trademark.((Random House--Fiction-Historical) YA-- This book is a departure from Michener's traditional style of writing long, in-depth, historical sagas featuring one locality. Here he has taken one slice of history, the gold rush of 1897, and shown the courage of five men as they deal with adversity while trying to reach the gold. Four British aristocrats and one Irish servant start their journey in England with visions of finding gold in the wilds of Canada. It begins easily enough, but soon disaster meets them at every turn. Readers will be drawn in by the strong characterizations, the intriguing plot, and the single-minded resolve of these men to reach their dreams. A novel that gives readers a real feel for the frenzy and determination of the men associated with the gold rush--all in less than 250 pages. - Susan Penny, St. Cecilia's School, Houston Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. In July 1897, following the discovery of Klondike gold, four British aristocrats and their Irish servant set out from London to attempt the trek into the gold fields by an exclusively Canadian route. Twenty-three months later, after testing the limits of human endurance, only two men reach their goal. Why another novel (albeit a short one) by Michener about the frozen north so soon after Alaska ( LJ 7/88)? This episode was edited out of Alaska, but Michener, wanting to recount the Canadian role, resurrected it and fleshed it out (one chapter is nothing but British poetry). The plot is thin; the characters shallow; the ending unsatisfying. Only when he is describing terrain does Michener breathe life into this adventure tale. Buy for demand. Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club dual main selection. - Florence Scarinci, Nassau Community Coll. Lib., Garden City, N.Y. Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. ing historical novel, five men who brave the frozen Canadian wilderness during the Klondike gold rush of 1897, risking everything to fulfill their dreams. A highly readable drama filled with the blend of fact and fiction that is Michener's trademark.((Random House--Fiction-Historical) Klondike Gold Rush Wilderness Adventure New World