Customer Reviews

The History of Beads: From 30,000 B.C. to the Present

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book comes in two versions: a concise version and a huge hardcover version. I own both, but find the unabridged version to be head and shoulders above the paperback "bead history lite" one. This huge tome is a labor of love, and is one of the best books available to learn why every culture devised by man has valued these little objects with holes in them.

There are plenty of photos, and the book follows the parallel paths of humans and beads throughout history. It can be startling and amusing to discover that what we consider to be new and exciting has been done many times in the past by people in cultures everywhere. I personally found it facinating to discover that one of the first things that humans do when we discover a new material is to punch a hole in it and wear it as a bead.

Intrinsically, beads are mostly worthless, but this book shows how they bind us all together and add to our knowledge of the people share our planet, both now and in the past. A must read for the serious bead artist.

Lois Sherr Dubin's 32,000 year history of beads book appeals to both lay person and scholar. Gorgeous color photos and striking black and white photos enhance the reader's imaging delight. The author's all-encompassing focus on the multi-faceted technological achievements of the human imagination in creating beads throughout the millennia is both astounding and inspiring. In addition, the comprehensive time line, table, notes, bibliography, and index make this an invaluable research tool as well as an illuminating work of art. I cannot recommend this book more highly

This book carefully traces the travels and roles of beads throughout human history. It is organized mainly by geography, but it also has chapters on special bead types (amber, pearls, eye beads and prayer beads). The photos of historic beads and jewelry are worth the price of admission all by themselves, and can be very inspiring for creative folks. It is also an eye-opening history: I was a history major in college, and I learned A LOT from this book. If you create with beads, Dubin's book will show you what the human race has done before you. If you collect beads, you will learn much about the people and places your prizes may have passed through on the way to your hands.

I had often borrowed the hardcover edition of this book through inter-library loans, so I was thrilled to see it available in soft cover. It covers the broad scope of world history from the perspective of beads--from materials and processes used, through their purposes and uses. A valuable addition to any collection.

I hope this edit supercedes my previous review as the author was correct and I feel like an idiot for not doing my own research correctly and voicing criticism very inappropriately. The book is, as described by previous reviewers, quite gorgeous, and, along with Robert Liu's book, one of the few available serious efforts at a comprehensive history.

I own a great deal of books on the subject of beads. I can easily say that I find myself returning to this book again and again for both reference and entertainment. Although some information may require a bit of updating, the work itself is easily one of the best books on the subject, making it an absolute 'must have' for anyone interested in beads, jewelry, or the history of adornment in cultures throughout the world. Although there are two wonderful editions of this book, I recommend the unabridged vesion, as it obviously contains the most amount of information. Overall, this book is concise, well-illustrated, and an overall entertaining read!

I first met this breathtakingly beautiful book several years ago while working at a beadstore. It was an absolute treasure trove of information while I was studying the history of beads and beadwork. The photos of historical and cultural projects are a wonderful source of inspiration and knowledge. The pull-out chart of the bead time line is beautiful. a beautiful coffee table book and useful reference.

This is a handsomely put together paperback--large size format--that is filled with color photos and detailed information on beads through the ages. It was originally a very expensive hardback, one which I would have hesitated to have my elementary students handle. Now we all refer to it--especially the beautiful removable bead time-line poster inside.

Reviewing the history of beads through variable aspects and most intreresting historical links. It reflects the joy of holding beads and is both comprehensive and superbly astetically designed.

............book is the quintessential source of data on the history of beads in civilized and ancient history. From the organic antler, bone, wood, shell, and stone beads, and fetishes, and symbolic ornamentation of relatively prehistoric times as illustrated by the necklace discovered in northern Europe of circa 32,000 years ago; to the most modern bead and ornamentation currently made the world over; this book covers it all to some extent. From the faiance fused glass of ancient Egypt in Pharonic times(abt. 3000 B.C.). To the hand ground stone and agate beads of ancient and modern times(32,000 y.o. to present). To the many different and beautiful Japanese Netsuke of the last thousand years in many, many mediums. To the historical European glass trade beads that made it into every corner of our world during the European age of Discovery and Exploration of new worlds(circa 1450's to 1850's). And to the gemstone and precious and non-precious metal beads and ornamentation of all times. I recommend this book as the primer for all aspiring historical bead and bead art collectors.........