Men of Worth: Worth His Weight in Salt?

"Worth his Weight in Salt" is the first of two books in the "Men of Worth" historical saga, which traces the fortunes and misfortunes of Cornelius Worth and his large wealthy extended family, who have gained prominence in Industrial Revolution England through their investments in Cheshire salt mining, the building of the Weaver Canal, the expansion of the railways, banking and property acquisition. Economic downturns, political upheavals and family deaths, lead the Worths to restructure their lives. They disband their empire, sell off their properties, merge their bank and seek their fortunes in new directions. Horatio Worth, as the youngest son of fifteen children, and now released from family expectations, is a risk-taker and an adventurer by nature; a talented but flawed character who decides to emigrate to New Zealand during the 1860s at the height of the gold-rush era. Among his many varied roles, he becomes an assayer of gold in the Pelorus Sounds area and later works as a head clerk in the Queenstown Court. Horatio's love of wealth and status fires his ambitions, which outrip his capacity for sound judgement in his business dealings, finally leading to his downfall. This deeply affects his work prospects, his finances, his social position and his loving wife and family. Catriona, Horatio's loyal but long-suffering wife, who is a woman of great strength of character, shows resourcefulness and resilience in rescuing her family and exploring new directions for their lives. Horatio suffers an ignominious punishment and is finally forced to reflect on his failings and how he can become a better man. The novel colourfully portrays Victorian society and New Zealand pioneering life, with the settings including real events that influenced the lives of the colonial settlers in the latter half of the nineteenth century and beyond.