Customer Reviews

Rockhounding Arizona

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

 

 

While an excellent reference for what can be found where, this is not a good reference for what the public can actually get their hands on. Many of the (most interesting!) locations were listed as being closed to the public. In fact, 10 of the first 12 sites listed in the book are closed to collecting or have highly restricted access. This book says "You can look but you can't touch!". The book does get less restrictive towards the middle and end. There are definitely better books out there, including Minerals of Arizona by Neil Bearce and Gem Trails of Arizona by James Mitchell.

I tried five of the sites in the book and found the sites with little trouble based on the directions given. At each of the sites I found the mineral described in the book (often in great quantity). The book recommends tools to use at each site. An excellent book!

I was hugely disappointed to find that this book, "Rockhounding Arizona", by Gerry Blair (ISBN #1-56044-389-8, 1992 by Falcon Publishing) is simply a title and ISBN # change for the original book, "The Rockhound's Guide to Arizona" by the same author (ISBN #1-56044-161-5, 1992 by Falcon Press Publishing).

Amazon references a 1995 date for this book, but the inside cover reflects the copyright date of 1992.

I thought I would find updated information from the original guide, but instead found a replica of the book I already possessed, with an different picture on the cover and a different title. Very disappointing.

Of the 75 sites in the book, the author states 30 of them are inaccessible to collecting! The sites are either "closed", on reservations, or require a club membership to visit.

Out of 11 other sites in the book assumed to be open to collecting that I visited, 6 were closed - mostly "No Trespassing" signs and locked gates.

The remaining 5 sites were not very good collecting sites...

There is not much in the way of practical collecting sites in this book.

This is an excellent book. I bought it first 20 yrs. ago on holiday at Sedona. Checked out 3 different locations and they were great. Excellent for the kids. Directions are very easy to follow and find. I used this book again and Rockhounding Utah. Excellent - adds so much more depth to your travelling and takes you places you would never have explored. Great adventures!!

I agree with the previous reviews that this book has too many off-limit sites. I only spent $8 on this book used but I'm truly regretting the purchase. There were 50 sites near enough to visit on my way to Phoenix, the 5 most interesting ones are prohibited (2 with full-time caretakers to keep people away), and only 4 besides those 5 that I would consider visiting, but aren't extremely appealing anyway. It is not worth purchasing the book - rent it from a library if you feel the need to read it.

Too much of a history lesson than a rockhounding resource.

You can't tell by the "look inside" which book you are actually buying. I have the prior edition, and this looks like a spruced up cover and no updated content. I found the maps useful, but again, most areas have been closed or restricted, so you have to join a local club. My gripe is that look inside feature is a waste and a tease and should have a bit more content, like 1 page showing the description and the map style.