"The Winds of Chance," a wonderful tale, is set during the Alaskan Gold Rush. The story revolves around Pierce Phillips' arrival in the Yukon, where he discovers wealth and meets lovely women. Following a false theft accusation, one person protects him, another offers him a "better" job, and the third just could win his affection. The story shows a swirling human tide that continues through Chilikoot Pass, and the wonderful human side of the gold rush are all depicted in Beach's Alaska at their best. Any reader's spirit can be excited in this Alaskan book! Some stories are interesting and amazing, while others can pull you completely in!
Rex Ellingwood Beach (September 1, 1877 - December 7, 1949) was an American novelist, playwright, and Olympic water polo player. He was born in Atwood, Michigan, but moved to Tampa, Florida, with his family where his father was growing fruit trees. Beach was educated at Rollins College, Florida (1891-1896), the Chicago College of Law (1896-97), and Kent College of Law, Chicago (1899-1900). In 1900 he was drawn to Alaska at the time of the Klondike Gold Rush. After five years of unsuccessful prospecting, he turned to writing. His second novel The Spoilers (1906) was based on a true story of corrupt government officials stealing gold mines from prospectors, which he witnessed while he was prospecting in Nome, Alaska. The Spoilers became one of the bestselling novels of 1906.
