Lapidarium

The Secret Lives of Stones

By: Hettie Judah

Narrated by: Nina Wadia

Inspired by the lapidaries of the ancient world, this audiobook is a beautiful collection of true stories about sixty different stones that have influenced our shared history

The earliest scientists ground and processed minerals in a centuries-long quest for a mythic stone that would prolong human life. Michelangelo climbed mountains in Tuscany searching for the sugar-white marble that would yield his sculptures. Catherine the Great wore the wealth of Russia stitched in gemstones onto the front of her bodices.

Through the realms of art, myth, geology, philosophy and power, the story of humanity can be told through the minerals and materials that have allowed us to evolve and create. 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. Together, they explore how human culture has formed stone, and the roles stone has played in forming human culture.

©2022 Hettie Judah (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"A beautifully illustrated collection of insightful essays...[Lapidarium] elegantly mixes archaeology, mythology, literature, and philosophy"--Publishers Weekly *Starred Review*

Lovely stories of Earth herself

The stories explore both rock and mineral life from the beginnings of earth to our modern times. A fascinating journey through Lapidary.

Amazing!

While I am definitely a rock lover, this book goes more in depth than I ever expected. The history of discoveries, the wars and battles around them, and so much more. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Lovely Bite-Sized Stories

Wonderful combination of geology, cultural analysis, and history in small but memorable chapters. The book is written well and read well, and it leaves you thinking about the stones we encounter

Wonderful!

Loved this book. It’s well worth listening to again! Thank you, Hettie & narrator Nina. I love rocks & stones of all kinds, & these stories are intriguing.

Nothing exciting

The story was mediocre, and the narration was flat. I was hoping for a more exciting tale of minerals and gems. Instead of just reading from a book. I think the content was mostly accurate, but it just did not keep my attention.