ABOUT THIS BOOK | AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY | REVIEWS | TOC | REQUEST ACCESSIBLE FILE
ABOUT THIS BOOK Spanning centuries and continents, a beautifully illustrated history of humanity’s enduring enthrallment with a seemingly banal substance: petrified tree sap, or amber.
Amber: From Antiquity to Eternity is a history of human engagement with amber across three millennia. The book vividly describes our conceptions, stories, and political and scholarly disputes about amber, as well as issues of national and personal identity, religion, art, literature, music, and science. Rachel King rewrites amber’s history for the twenty-first century, tackling thorny ethical and moral questions regarding humanity’s relationship with amber in the past, as well our connection with it today. With the Earth facing unprecedented challenges, amber—the natural time capsule, and preserver of key information about the planet’s evolutional history—promises to offer invaluable insights into what comes next.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY Rachel King is a curator of Renaissance Europe and the Waddesdon Bequest at the British Museum, London.
REVIEWS
"This is a must-have book, fascinating and readable from the first page. In this beautifully illustrated volume, the reader is spirited from amber’s origins as a primordial tree resin and its deep-time geological sources to the remarkable history of its use by humans from the Paleolithic era to the present. Amber’s sunlight-like qualities, its remarkable inclusions of flora and fauna, natural magnetic properties, scent and beauty have made it a magical and much sought-after substance for ornament, magic, and medicine around the globe. From ancient literary sources to contemporary photography, this book’s references and images document amber’s attraction and popularity."
— Faya Causey, author of "Amber and the Ancient World"
“King unravels the different histories of amber with consummate ease, engaging the reader throughout with her lucid and accessible style. Wonderfully erudite in her approach, she harvests obscure snippets of information gleaned from otherwise little-consulted archival sources, historical texts, and scientific treatises to weave a thoroughly compulsive narrative. The result is a stimulating, beautifully illustrated, and authoritative biography of a much-loved gemstone.”
— Chris Duffin, scientific associate at the Natural History Museum, London, editor of "Amber in the History of Medicine"
"Amber has fascinated people for millennia. This book by King is an in-depth investigation into amber’s origins and history, exploring its myths and uses both in the past and today. Amber is lavishly illustrated with stunning objects and is a must for anyone interested in this amazing substance."
— Andrew Ross, principal curator of palaeobiology, National Museums Scotland
"Amber: From Antiquity to Eternity is an excellent publication, proving a comprehensive view of amber, the oldest decorative ‘stone’ used by man. By far the best contemporary book on the history of this magical gem, Amber’s interesting information and accessible language make it difficult to stop reading. Highly recommended."
— Michal Kosior, founder of Amber Experts
"This generously illustrated volume charts amber's enduring sensory appeal and its profound influence on mythology, religion, politics, science, and the arts. Scientific and technological background provide essential context. King organizes her research in 'interweaving' chapters '[tracing] elaborate ideas' that synthesize an impressive range of historical and modern sources, primarily European, but encompassing Asia, Africa, and the Americas. . . . [King] displays a particular knack for sharing memorable stories."
— Booklist
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Contents
One: Amber: What, When, Where?
Two: Legend and Myth
Three: Ancestors and Amber
Four: Unearthing Amber
Five: Making and Faking Amber
Six: Accessorizing with Amber
Seven: Artistic Ambers
Eight: Lost Ambers
References
Select Bibliography
Acknowledgements
Photo Acknowledgements
Index
REQUEST ACCESSIBLE FILE
If you are a student who cannot use this book in printed form, BiblioVault may be able to supply you
with an electronic file for alternative access.
Please have the accessibility coordinator at your school fill out this form.
Spanning centuries and continents, a beautifully illustrated history of humanity’s enduring enthrallment with a seemingly banal substance: petrified tree sap, or amber.
Amber: From Antiquity to Eternity is a history of human engagement with amber across three millennia. The book vividly describes our conceptions, stories, and political and scholarly disputes about amber, as well as issues of national and personal identity, religion, art, literature, music, and science. Rachel King rewrites amber’s history for the twenty-first century, tackling thorny ethical and moral questions regarding humanity’s relationship with amber in the past, as well our connection with it today. With the Earth facing unprecedented challenges, amber—the natural time capsule, and preserver of key information about the planet’s evolutional history—promises to offer invaluable insights into what comes next.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY Rachel King is a curator of Renaissance Europe and the Waddesdon Bequest at the British Museum, London.
REVIEWS
"This is a must-have book, fascinating and readable from the first page. In this beautifully illustrated volume, the reader is spirited from amber’s origins as a primordial tree resin and its deep-time geological sources to the remarkable history of its use by humans from the Paleolithic era to the present. Amber’s sunlight-like qualities, its remarkable inclusions of flora and fauna, natural magnetic properties, scent and beauty have made it a magical and much sought-after substance for ornament, magic, and medicine around the globe. From ancient literary sources to contemporary photography, this book’s references and images document amber’s attraction and popularity."
— Faya Causey, author of "Amber and the Ancient World"
“King unravels the different histories of amber with consummate ease, engaging the reader throughout with her lucid and accessible style. Wonderfully erudite in her approach, she harvests obscure snippets of information gleaned from otherwise little-consulted archival sources, historical texts, and scientific treatises to weave a thoroughly compulsive narrative. The result is a stimulating, beautifully illustrated, and authoritative biography of a much-loved gemstone.”
— Chris Duffin, scientific associate at the Natural History Museum, London, editor of "Amber in the History of Medicine"
"Amber has fascinated people for millennia. This book by King is an in-depth investigation into amber’s origins and history, exploring its myths and uses both in the past and today. Amber is lavishly illustrated with stunning objects and is a must for anyone interested in this amazing substance."
— Andrew Ross, principal curator of palaeobiology, National Museums Scotland
"Amber: From Antiquity to Eternity is an excellent publication, proving a comprehensive view of amber, the oldest decorative ‘stone’ used by man. By far the best contemporary book on the history of this magical gem, Amber’s interesting information and accessible language make it difficult to stop reading. Highly recommended."
— Michal Kosior, founder of Amber Experts
"This generously illustrated volume charts amber's enduring sensory appeal and its profound influence on mythology, religion, politics, science, and the arts. Scientific and technological background provide essential context. King organizes her research in 'interweaving' chapters '[tracing] elaborate ideas' that synthesize an impressive range of historical and modern sources, primarily European, but encompassing Asia, Africa, and the Americas. . . . [King] displays a particular knack for sharing memorable stories."
— Booklist
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Contents
One: Amber: What, When, Where?
Two: Legend and Myth
Three: Ancestors and Amber
Four: Unearthing Amber
Five: Making and Faking Amber
Six: Accessorizing with Amber
Seven: Artistic Ambers
Eight: Lost Ambers
References
Select Bibliography
Acknowledgements
Photo Acknowledgements
Index
REQUEST ACCESSIBLE FILE
If you are a student who cannot use this book in printed form, BiblioVault may be able to supply you
with an electronic file for alternative access.
Please have the accessibility coordinator at your school fill out this form.
It can take 2-3 weeks for requests to be filled.
ABOUT THIS BOOK | AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY | REVIEWS | TOC | REQUEST ACCESSIBLE FILE