The Gem Hunter-True Adventures of an American in Afghanistan [Hardcover]

Gary W. Bowersox (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 22, 2004

"The Gem Hunter," Gary W. Bowersox, tells his own personal story of over thirty years spent searching for precious gems in the mountains and valleys of rugged Afghanistan. During his many adventures of exploration, danger and intrigue, Gary trades gems and stories with Afghan miners, ethnic people, freedom fighters, government officials, scientists, and on a few occasions, international spies. His account is the true story of a life spent hunting the beautiful rubies, emeralds, sapphires, aquamarines, tourmalines and lapis lazuli of Afghanistan.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An authoritative, important, professionally researched and well written book about a subject worth exploring." -- Gary Roskin, G.G., FGA, Gemstone Editor, JCK Magazine

"Gary Bowersox has been called a modern-day 'Indiana Jones'." -- Diane Sawyer, ABC's "Good Morning America"

"His personal account speaks volumes and vividly provides a window into the struggle of the Afghan people." -- Ambassador Haron Amin, Afghanistan Ambassador to Japan

About the Author

Gary W. Bowersox is an internationally recognized gem hunter, explorer, lecturer, author, and gemologist. In 1991 he brought the discoveries of high-quality emeralds in Afghanistan to the world's attention through his "Emeralds of Panjsher Valley Afghanistan" published in Gems and Gemology magazine. In 1995 he co-authored the first authoritative book on Afghanistan entitled "Gemstones of Afghanistan," published by Geoscience Press. His love of adventure and passion for precious gems has taken him to more than 80 countries. He has driven three hundred thousand miles to display and sell his gems at jewelry store events throughout the U.S. His graduate studies at Western Michigan University and the University of Hawaii in finance and investments and his war experience as a U.S. Army Major in Viet Nam have served as a foundation for his gem business. He is a Fellow and active member of The Explorer's Club and the Gemological Institute of America Alumni Association.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 505 pages
• Publisher: Geovision, Inc. (January 22, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0974732311
• ISBN-13: 978-0974732312
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #736,945 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #47 in Books > Travel > Asia > Afghanistan

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Adventures in Afghanistan: gems, war, friends, April 1, 2007

By 

Jeffrey Fast - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Gem Hunter-True Adventures of an American in Afghanistan (Hardcover)

I loved Gary's book! I've been a mineral dealer for over 15 years. I've travelled to Mexico, the Russian Far East, Madagascar, Brazil and Pakistan in search of mineral specimens. While I have never smuggled myself across any country's border into a war zone (as Gary has, numerous times), I do know something about the physical, cultural and political challenges of business and travel in the developing world. Gary's book accurately and enjoyably describes th real risks and rewards involved in such travel.

Why do people take these risks? It's not really for the gems. Nor for the adventure. It's for the opportunity to learn about yourself while learning about other people.

Don't read Gary's book looking to discover the "trade secrets" of the gemstone business. Read Gary's book for a unique perspective on a part of the world most of us will never know first hand. Read Gary's book to learn how important personal contacts between different peoples and cultures can be. It's a good read --- full of adventure and discovery ---with the Taliban, the Northern Alliance, Osama bin Laden, and our own CIA as a backdrop.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing and colorful tale, June 12, 2004

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gem Hunter-True Adventures of an American in Afghanistan (Hardcover)

The Gem Hunter: True Adventures Of An American In Afghanistan is the personal memoir of an American man who spent thirty years seeking precious gems in the mountains and valleys of Afghanistan. His encounters with Afghan miners, freedom fighters, government officials, ethnic peoples, scientists, and sometimes even international spies fill this amazing and colorful tale of danger, determination, and the drive to earn a living by literally seeking one's fortune. Photographs, maps, figures, coordinates of gems and minerals in Afghanistan, and much more round out this thoroughly engrossing and engaging true story.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Gem Hunter" is an Insider's view of Afghanistan, May 27, 2005

By 

R. Scott Lorenz "(Book Publicist)" (Plymouth, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Gem Hunter-True Adventures of an American in Afghanistan (Hardcover)

The Gem Hunter is a boots-on-the-ground, first hand account of Bowersox's 30+ years of travel to Afghanistan to buy rubies, sapphires, emeralds and lapis puts into perspective the unfolding story of the struggles, hopes & dreams of the Afghan people. Bowersox, who was friends with Massoud the head of the Northern Alliance who was killed at the hand of Bin Laden directed assassins two days before 911, tells about the involvement of the Russians, the Taliban, Al Qaeda and the Pakistani government's role in the affairs of the country. Although perhaps self serving, Bowersox says the best way to help everyday Afghan people is to buy gems from their country, one of their only legal exports with opium being number one illegal export.

Another must read is Gary Schroen's "First In" which is the missing piece of the puzzle about the early US intervention in Afghanistan after 911. The detailed account of the CIA's first team in pulls back the curtain on the enlistment of the support of the Northern Alliance and the subsequent military action to defeat the Taliban and push Al Qaeda into Pakistan. Inside info such as the $13,000,000 in cash brought into the country to buy favor, and the order by his superiors to "bring Bin Laden's head back in a box on dry ice" is dispensed by Schroen with little censorship by the CIA. Balanced with historical perspective, Gary Schroen's account of the CIA spearheaded War on Terror in Afghanistan is the most recent addition to an uncrowded field of first hand published stories of what really went on and still goes on in Afghanistan.

If you want to know more about this part of the world than 99.99% of all Americans, news pundits and politicians then read both of these books and you will. Better yet, give these books to US soldiers going to Afghanistan and you may save a life from the insight they provide.