# Nathaniel Philbrick on THE RUSH: CALIFORNIA GOLD, THE CIVIL WAR, AND THE MAKING OF THE MODERN WORLD

An episode of [Poured Over](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1567969228), 29 Oct 2026, 59 min.

Audio: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/pouredover/Ep794_Nathaniel_Philbrick_FINAL_AUDIO.mp3?dest-id=2358596

The Rush: California Gold, the Civil War, and the Making of the Modern World by Nathaniel Philbrick vividly brings to life the western migration that changed the United States forever, propelling it into a new era of expansion and conflict. Nathaniel joins us to talk about the Wild West, vigilante justice, Herman Melville, and the value of reading history with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books: The Rush by Nathaniel Philbrick The Last Stand by Nathaniel Philbrick In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick Away Off Shore by Nathaniel Philbrick Why Read Moby-Dick by Nathaniel Philbrick Mayflower by Nathaniel Philbrick In the Hurricane's Eye by Nathaniel Philbrick Valiant Ambition by Nathaniel Philbrick Sea of Glory by Nathaniel Philbrick Second Wind by Nathaniel Philbrick Suttree by Cormac McCarthy The Confidence-Man by Herman Melville Moby-Dick by Herman Melville McTeague by Frank Norris The Octopus by Frank Norris The Great Game by Peter Hopkirk

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