Now that Stories in Stone is out in the world, the nerve-wracking time begins. What will others write about the book? So far, I have been very pleased with the reviews. Today, there was a nice one in the Providence Journal. I particularly like the reviewer’s opening, “Naturalist David Williams was in heaven, living among the fantastic red sandstone formations of southern Utah. When he accompanied his graduate-student wife to live in Boston, he thought he had descended into hell.” Moving to Boston wasn’t that bad but it was a bit trying, till I found the stones of the city.
I also have to thank Tony Edger of the blog Fossils and Other Living Things for his wonderful review and description of Stories in Stone. Like him, I am clearly a fan of Robinson Jeffers. Also, it is quite pleasing to have a fellow geoblogger say such kind things.
And yesterday, I also did a reading/walk at one of Seattle’s great bookstores, Elliott Bay Books. I started with a 30-minute talk and then took a group of about 35 out to look at some local building stone, as well as some more exotic rock. Walks such as this one are very satisfying for me, as I get to introduce people to the wonders of geology and its connection to each of us. It really shows me that people are interested in rocks and stories they tell.
The reading and walk were awesome – I can't wrestle the book away from Lyanda yet but I am in line for it next. Looking forward to seeing how you wove coquina limestone and Vijay Singh into the same chapter (though sadly, I think it's not the same chapter that also includes petrified wood and Pop Rocks – pulling that off would have been pretty much the triple crown of obscure geology connections!).
Rock on, David B.
My review was heartfelt. It's an amazing book.
My review was heartfelt. It's an amazing book.