Gemstones of the World by Walter Schumann (Sterling Publishing Company, 2007). The best field guide to gemstones. Most of the specimens photographed are from collections in Idar-Oberstein.
Rocks, Gems and Minerals; A Golden Guide by Herbert S. Zim and Paul R. Shaffer, Illustrated by Raymond Perlman (St. Martin’s Press, 2001). Excellent for young people. First published in 1957, it’s the way many of us were introduced to the subject. I suppose I didn’t actually draw anything directly from this book for my novel, but if I hadn’t studied the book as a kid, I wouldn’t have written the novel.
The Codebreakers by David Kahn (Scribner, 1996). The definitive work on the history of cryptology. Despite its enormous popularity in cryptology circles, it remains one of the great undiscovered nonfiction books in print.
The Riddle of Amish Culture by Donald B. Kraybill (The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2001). Another definitive source. I spent eighteen months in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and still didn’t get what I needed. Mr. Kraybill’s book solves the riddle.
About the Author
Stephen Parrish is a cartographer and gemologist. He lives in Germany. The Tavernier Stones is his first novel. Visit him online at www.stephenparrish.com. Book clubs with ten or more members are invited to schedule his attendance, via Skype or speaker phone, at one of their meetings. Write to steve@ stephenparrish.com for information.
THE TAVERNIER STONES
The Tavernier Stones: A Novel Page 30