The History of Beads: From 100,000 B.C. to the Present, Revised and Expanded Edition

As a professional bead artist, I coveted this book from the day I first saw it in a bead shop on Granville Island in Vancouver. It was the store reference copy, and not for sale. For years, I hesitated to get it due to the price, but a couple of years ago, when my grandma gave me some birthday money, I bought it as a special treat. And WOW. It doesn't disappoint. Featuring historical and contemporary beads, it's a book I can flip open any time and seemingly discover something knew. (Even though I admittedly read it cover to cover the week it arrived.) Hope they get new copies again, since it was only $150 when I got it, and I see now it's double that...

This is a beautiful book with great pictures. For a jewelry maker like me, it's a great resource for info and ideas. I made an exact copies of some Tibetan earrings pictured in the book, and people always compliment me on them.It's amazing to see the craftsmanship that was put into jewelry thousands of years ago andthat many jewelry styles we wear today are so similar, if not exactly the same, as ancient designs.I had taken this book out of the library a few times, but decided I wanted my own copy for reference and enjoyment.

very informative, well written book. I love the clear pictures and the fold out time-line - it really helped to put bead history into perspective for me.

This is a very thorough through the history of beads down through the ages. Lots of good photographs and clear interesting writing.A beautiful four page fold-out time line of bead history. This book is well worth the cost. I am thrilled to have this in mycollection of Art History Books.

Superb book! Well written and completely comprehensive. An excellent, enjoyable read about one of mankind's very oldest forms of adornment. If you are at all interested in either beads or the developmental history of human cultures, buy this book!