hehehe... Golden Ages have saved my butt twice now (the latest with GOTM9). I was playing Egypt and had changed my production from Oracle to Hanging Gardens. Lost 73 shields in the process. I tried switching to the Great Library but it did not work - did not give me techs that the nearest civ had (one problem i need help in). And walla! instant Golden Age. Because of that I built barracks on every city and started churning out dozens of swordsmen. My foe is still a bit strong after my half-century warmongering but their capital will be mine in just a while. 
GA also helped me in my second game ever. Corruption was killing my far-flung cities until GA helped me build the Forbidden Palace. what a game saver!
But what are the chances of tripping a GA? So far only luck has helped me get it (what a mess my game would be now if I chose GLibrary instead!)

GA also helped me in my second game ever. Corruption was killing my far-flung cities until GA helped me build the Forbidden Palace. what a game saver!
But what are the chances of tripping a GA? So far only luck has helped me get it (what a mess my game would be now if I chose GLibrary instead!)