A Treasure More Than Gold

How I Found the Solution to Forrest Fenn's Poem

Non-Fiction - Short Story/Novela
94 Pages
Reviewed on 03/06/2015
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Author Biography

I am a retired CFO of a medium-large wholesale distributing corporation. I have worked as a Controller, Accountant and Accounting Supervisor for several different companies. My hobbies include: Art-oil painting & sketching~ Music-guitar, violin and piano~ Philosophy~ Astronomy, Fishing, and of course, I love writing. In addition to this title, I am working on a novel, titled “Storm of Deceit”. It’s about a futuristic scenario in which a couple of astrobiologist must find a solution to an earth ending catastrophe that is believed to be inevitable. It’s about seventy percent completed. – Ritt Jordan

    Book Review

Reviewed by Stephen Fisher for Readers' Favorite

A Treasure More Than Gold by Ritt Jordan is an account of how the author was enticed into the “thrill of the chase,” somewhere in the Rocky Mountains north of Santa Fe, NM. An ancient cast bronze, and a hidden treasure chest. To find it, one must first read the poem by Forrest Fenn containing nine clues that will lead to its location. Being bitten by the bug to hunt for this treasure prompted Mr. Jordan to used all available resources to him.
Using the satellite option of Google Maps, interviews, etc., he begins deciphering the poem. Ritt had to get to know how this man, ailing with cancer, lived in order to fully understand the clues. Why? Because Forrest hid the chest in a place very personal to him.

Ritt Jordan was able to get help from a few of his family members with his numerous trips to the mountains. He was not about to leave any stone unturned to solve the clues in the poem. Aerial satellite photos and pictures from his camera fill some of the pages so that the reader can relate to how he interpreted the clues. The author relates his story with a detailed account of his findings and frustrations, as well as the experiences and precious memories he got to share with his loved ones. What started out as searching for the end of a rainbow turned into something much more valuable than the actual treasure. To Ritt Jordan, the thrill of this chase was "A Treasure More Than Gold."

Patricia Reding

Ritt Jordan is on a mission in A Treasure More than Gold, having been inspired by the treasure hunt formulated by Forrest Fenn in his memoir, The Thrill of the Chase. Once the fever takes over Jordan, he sets out to solve the clues hidden in the form of a poem, to find the million dollar treasure that Fenn buried somewhere in the Rocky Mountains. He translates Fenn’s poem into what he believes are possible interpretations for place names and geographical phenomena, then continues his tracking via the Internet. Once he has a plan in mind, he sets out to find the gold. In his rush to get started, he forgets his gun and metal detector at home, discovering the situation when it is too late to turn back. Thus begins his first trip into the wilderness. Over the next few months, he takes several more, including one with his grandson that delivers “gold” to Jordan in the form of time spent with the boy. Did he ultimately find the treasure? Would he tell readers if he did?

A Treasure More than Gold is, only in part, a story of seeking buried treasure. More to the point, it is a story of Ritt Jordan’s finding and meeting a challenge, of losing himself in a dream and a quest. He encourages readers to seek to solve the Fenn mystery or to follow their own dreams. In a world in which people spend a great deal of time with electronic gadgets, Jordan prompts others to visit the wider world, to take up causes that intrigue them, to persevere through dangers and hardship, and to keep their eyes on the real gold that they already possess — in the form of their loved ones.

K.C. Finn

A Treasure More Than Gold is a short story by Ritt Jordan, chronicling his real life experience as a treasure hunter. The chase begins with a cryptic poem written by art dealer Forrest Fenn, who claimed in an autobiography to have hidden a treasure worth more than a million dollars somewhere in North America’s Rocky Mountains. What follows is Jordan’s meticulous account of breaking down the poem, part by part, following the clues in the area north of Santa Fe, NM, and often taking his family and faithful dog along for the ride. As well as being the diary of a treasure hunter, the author looks back on his time searching for the Fenn Treasure and how it has affected his life.

The style of A Treasure More Than Gold is very conversational, so much so that one occasionally loses the thread of the author’s thought process when interpreting the clues and explaining his journey to find the treasure. I found Ritt Jordan’s photographs to be a beautiful addition to the story, and they also helped to decipher some of the trickier parts of his experience. I was very intrigued by the additional details he gave from Forrest Fenn’s life as well as his own. I believe that for Fenn Treasure enthusiasts, the story would be an even more enjoyable read than was my experience, and I found Jordan’s overall concluding message to be an uplifting one. It is true that whilst the gold itself would be nice to have, it’s the journey that makes life richer.

Robert Justice

I Purchased this Book as a fellow Forrest Fenn fanatic.Unlike Ritt I was unable to go on such a exciting Adventure.Ritt describes from first finding about the Gold,to extensively Researching all the Clues and his many Quests both alone and some Family Members including his Wife and Grandchildren.This truly is a Story about way more than Gold.An incredible Family who will stand by each other no matter the cost.You will feel like your right along with Ritt as he takes his last Drink of Water in Sweltering Heat while his Wife is Frantically listening to him on the Phone almost 1,000 Miles away.Also a Brilliant feeling's about the Author being able to bond with his Grandchildren.Also a very special Friend they end up bringing Home "Blaze". This will not only be Educating about the Forrest Fenn Gold but will tug at your Heart Strings.So if you are a looking for the Gold,you are going to want to Buy this and compare your Findings.Ritt also includes his take a very Fascinating solution to a very difficult problem in Plato's Number.I recommend this Book very highly.

D. Crouse


A Must Read For Forrest Fenn's Followers

I took a chance and bought this book and I am so glad I did. This is the best solution I've seen to understanding Forrest Fenn's poem. Ritt gives detail information on the nine clues found in the poem. His story has stirred the adventurous side of me. I'm ready to go out looking for this treasure. Not only is this informative it is a good read. I really enjoyed the stories of his many adventures while searching for the bronze chest. I have been an arm chair searcher, but now, I want to go to this place. The pictures in this book are very helpful to understand the poems clues. If you have an adventurous side I think you will like this book.

HotPeppers

This is an interesting book. I didn't know about Forrest Fenn's story until read this book. It kept me involved and made me wanting to go out and look for this million dollar treasure. I think anyone who likes excitement will enjoy this book, I will look more into this chase for the hidden bronze treasure chest.

Rodrick7500

I purchased this Book knowing a little bit on the Forrest Fenn's hidden Treasure.At first I was skeptical about someone just leaving a Fortune out in the middle of nowhere for an everyday Joe Schmo to find.But upon researching a little about Fenn it seems his Character was Excellent and really didn't seem like a Person to do such a Hoax.It seems the Author Ritt Jordan has studied and Researched this Challenge very well.It seems he has the most Knowledgeable info on the Clues left by Fenn.It is much more than just Facts pertaining to the Clues.It has a wonderful Story as well.A great read for the Forest Fenn Fanatic or someone who is an everyday Book lover