Lapidarium: The Secret Lives of Stones

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In this polemical volume, critic and campaigner Hettie Judah argues that a paradigm shift is needed within the art world to take account of the needs of artist mothers (and other parents: artist fathers, parents who don't identify with the term 'mother', and parents in other sectors of the art world). Each chapter focuses on a different stone or rock and its significance in art, history or literature. From the Taiwanese national treasure known as the Meat-Shaped Stone to Malta’s prehistoric “fat lady” temples carved in globigerina limestone to the amethyst crystals still believed to have healing powers, Lapidarium is a jewel box of sixty far-flung stones and the stories that accompany them.

Lapidarium: The Secret Lives of Stones | NHBS Good Reads Lapidarium: The Secret Lives of Stones | NHBS Good Reads

Inspired by the lapidaries of the ancient world, this book is a collection of true stories about sixty different stones that have influenced our shared history.This is where James Hutton – a doctor turned geologist – found a formation that was named after him: Hutton’s Unconformity. Everybody wanted to see him demonstrate his skills, have their picture taken with him, and be in possession of one of his authentic copies of the real thing. What might not this man had done for science had he only taken the same pains in assisting as he did in leading it astray! This randomness does make it more interesting as amethyst is followed by cairngorm and tuff precedes turquoise. My only complaint is I wish it had more illustrations and photos of these amazing objects and natural resources.

Lapidarium : The Secret Lives of Stones - Google Books Lapidarium : The Secret Lives of Stones - Google Books

She breaks down the history of each individual stone and how it’s impacted the human race through history. There are books which really pull together history and science and nature and people but I find this is just not one of them. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. I wanted to love it – I think there should be loads of books encouraging us to reconnect with the natural world, to come away with some general knowledge about our planet and our surroundings and how it's shaped human civilisation at large.The children’s version of Lapidarium: The Secret Lives of Stones will be published by Laurence King in 2025 with illustrations by the amazing Jennifer N. In her fascinating book, Lapidarium: The Secret Lives of Stones, Hettie Judah explores the hidden history of these lithic marvels, from their role in ancient cultures to their modern-day influences and uses. It is visually stunning with very high-quality illustrations and an overall fantastic design of the book.

Lapidarium: The Secret Lives of Stones by Hettie Judah Lapidarium: The Secret Lives of Stones by Hettie Judah

So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. Each essay isn't actually about a stone, it's a niche tale about people with a connection to the stone in question, and it's the people that the essay focuses on. The earliest scientists ground and processed minerals in a centuries-long quest for a mythic stone that would prolong human life.There are six sections, six themes that deal with: stones and power; sacred stones; stones and stories; stone technology; shapes in stone; and living stones.