The Secret Lives of Stones : 'A real cabinet of curiosities' SUNDAY TIMES by Hettie Judah 9781529394955

The Secret Lives of Stones : 'A real cabinet of curiosities' SUNDAY TIMES

£16.99 GBP
£16.99 GBP
Embark on a captivating journey through time and Earth's treasures with 'The Secret...
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Subtotal: £16.99

Embark on a captivating journey through time and Earth's treasures with 'The Secret Lives of Stones'. This enchanting tome, lauded as 'a portrait of our whole world created from the contents of the ground' by Literary Review, unearths the hidden tales of sixty remarkable rocks and minerals that have shaped human history.

From the ancient Babylonian lapidaries to modern-day TikTok sensations, renowned art critic Hettie Judah meticulously excavates the fascinating narratives behind these geological wonders. Discover how hematite adorned prehistoric cave walls, why moldavite captured the imagination of social media, and the intriguing acoustics of Stonehenge's ancient stones.

Delve into a veritable treasure trove of geological mysteries: the purloined sandstone of Scone, the alchemists' quest for cinnabar and sulphur, and the enigmatic tuff statues of Rapa Nui. Uncover the scandal of Flint Jack, the lost amber room of Frederick of Prussia, and how a Greek monster inadvertently created coral.

This 'real cabinet of curiosities', as hailed by the Sunday Times, illuminates the profound impact of stones on human culture. From Michelangelo's masterpieces to Catherine the Great's collections, from Chinese philosophy to Dorset fossil-hunters, each chapter reveals another facet of our rocky relationship with the Earth.

With the precision of a geologist's hammer and the flair of a master storyteller, Judah chips away at history to reveal how moon rock elucidates the story of Earth's satellite, and how obsidian inspired the world's most popular computer game. Stone by stone, 'The Secret Lives of Stones' constructs a dazzling, epoch-spanning adventure that will leave readers marvelling at the ground beneath their feet.

Product Information:

Book ISBN: 9781529394955
Book Author: Hettie Judah
Book Format: Paperback / softback
Book Imprint: John Murray Publishers Ltd
Book Publisher: John Murray Press
Book Dimensions: 129 x 198 x 28 cm
Book Publication Date: 2024-10-24
Book Pagination: 336 pages
Book Weight: 532g

Sherlock & Pages is a little bookshop with a big heart. We are based in Frome, Somerset, England and curate lists of books in the areas we are passionate about – landscape, nature, history, and heritage. In short, the conservation of all we’ve inherited and all we are responsible to pass on. We aim to inspire and be inspired, to form a literary culture of care and passion about this precious planet we call home.

This is a shop where you might find something you haven’t seen before, and we like to think we’ve got something for everyone. We choose each of our books with care and for a reason. This is because our physical store is small but beautifully formed, holding only around 1200 titles at any one time. We try and recreate the feel of the shop wherever we are online, to reflect our niche categories and personality.

We have an active social media presence and aim to share our story with all our friends. The long-term goal is to build a hub for the books and writers we believe in. Who knows where our adventure will lead but by supporting Sherlock & Pages you’re helping us to add a further layer of magic to our little corner of the world. If you haven’t visited our physical store, one day you might just make a literary pilgrimage down to Somerset.

Our tagline is ‘Long Live the Hedgerows’ and our symbol a hibernating dormouse. If you want to support an independent with a unique character and which will share stories with you for years to come, then choose Sherlock & Pages. The world needs bookshops with soul, for they are ‘citadels of light.’

Sherlock & Pages is a little bookshop with a big heart. We are based in Frome, Somerset, England and curate lists of books in the areas we are passionate about – landscape, nature, history, and heritage. In short, the conservation of all we’ve inherited and all we are responsible to pass on. We aim to inspire and be inspired, to form a literary culture of care and passion about this precious planet we call home.

This is a shop where you might find something you haven’t seen before, and we like to think we’ve got something for everyone. We choose each of our books with care and for a reason. This is because our physical store is small but beautifully formed, holding only around 1200 titles at any one time. We try and recreate the feel of the shop wherever we are online, to reflect our niche categories and personality.

We have an active social media presence and aim to share our story with all our friends. The long-term goal is to build a hub for the books and writers we believe in. Who knows where our adventure will lead but by supporting Sherlock & Pages you’re helping us to add a further layer of magic to our little corner of the world. If you haven’t visited our physical store, one day you might just make a literary pilgrimage down to Somerset.

Our tagline is ‘Long Live the Hedgerows’ and our symbol a hibernating dormouse. If you want to support an independent with a unique character and which will share stories with you for years to come, then choose Sherlock & Pages. The world needs bookshops with soul, for they are ‘citadels of light.’

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