"Rock" in the New Year!

Interested in rocks, minerals, and gemstones? These books contain everything you need to know, as well as ideas for crafts, using rocks in gardens and landscaping, history, fossils, and more!

Updated November 24, 2025
F
Fond du Lac Public Library
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Voices in the stones : life lessons from the native way
Nerburn, Kent
Paper Book
"Do not begrudge the white man his presence on this land. Though he doesn't know it yet, he has come here to learn from us." -- A Shoshone elder The genius of the Native Americans has always been their profound spirituality and their deep understanding of the land and its...

299.7 Nerburn 2016

The hour of land : a personal topography of America's national parks
Williams, Terry Tempest.
Paper Book
America's national parks are breathing spaces in a world in which such spaces are steadily disappearing, which is why more than 300 million people visit the parks each year. Now Terry Tempest Williams, the author of the environmental classic Refuge and the beloved memoir When...

333.78 W675 2016

Dirty gold : the rise and fall of an international smuggling ring
Weaver, Jay (Journalist)
Paper Book
The explosive story of the illegal gold trade from South America, and the three Miami businessmen who got rich on it--until it all came crashing down.   In March of 2017, a team of federal agents arrested Juan Pablo Granda, Samer Barrage, and Renato Rodriguez,...

364.1336 Weaver 2021

Blood runs coal : the Yablonski murders and the battle for the United Mine Workers of America
Bradley, Mark A.
Paper Book
Finalist for the 2021 Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Fact Crime The shocking assassination that catalyzed groundbreaking reform in Big Coal. In the early hours of New Year's Eve 1969, in the small soft coal mining borough of Clarksville, Pennsylvania, longtime trade...

364.1523 Yablonski Bradley 2020

Stones into schools : promoting peace with books, not bombs, in Afghanistan and Pakistan
Mortenson, Greg.
Paper Book
From the author of the #1 bestseller Three Cups of Tea, the continuing story of this determined humanitarian's efforts to promote peace through education In this dramatic first-person narrative, Greg Mortenson picks up where Three Cups of Tea left off in 2003,...

371.822 M842s 2009

The writing of the gods : the race to decode the Rosetta Stone
Dolnick, Edward
Paper Book
The fast-paced and "engrossing account" (The New York Times Book Review) of "one of the greatest breakthroughs in archaeological history" (The Christian Science Monitor): two rival geniuses in a race to decode the writing on one of the world's most famous documents--the...

493.1 Dolnick 2021

National Geographic illustrated guide to wildlife : from your back door to the great outdoors : mammals, birds, reptiles & amphibians, aquatic life, insects & spiders
Paper Book
From one of the most trusted names in field guides comes a new and lavishly illustrated guide to identifying North America's most common birds, mammals, insects, reptiles, and amphibians, plus fish and other aquatic creatures. Broad in scope and clearly organized, National Geographic Illustrated...

508.7 IL6 2014

4th rock from the Sun : the story of Mars
Jenner, Nicky
Paper Book
Everything you ever wanted to know about the red planet revealed in an up-close and personal tour of MarsMars is ingrained in our culture, from David Bowie's extra-terrestrial spiders to H.G. Wells's The War of the Worlds. The red planet has inspired hundreds of scientists, authors and...

523.43 Jenner 2017

Rocks & minerals : a portrait of the natural world
Atwood, Frederick D.
Paper Book
These beautifully illustrated and thoroughly researched books pay tribute to some of the world's most fascinating animals and elements of nature. Spectacular, full-color photographs and informative text show each family of animals and each flower and rock in its common surroundings, to make these...

549 At95

The Firefly guide to minerals, rocks & gems
Hochleitner, Rupert
Paper Book
Step-by-step Questions and Answers with detailed color photographs for easy identification. The Firefly Guide to Minerals, Rocks and Gems is designed for easy and reliable identification of minerals, gems and rocks. The identification process begins with the stone's streak color,...

549 Hochleitner 2019

A most improbable journey : a big history of our planet and ourselves
Alvarez, Walter
Paper Book
Big History, the field that integrates traditional historical scholarship with scientific insights to study the full sweep of our universe, has so far been the domain of historians. Famed geologist Walter Alvarez-best known for the "Impact Theory" explaining dinosaur extinction-has instead...

550 AL86 2016

The practical geologist
Dixon, Dougal.
Paper Book

550 D643 1992

Footprints : in search of future fossils
Farrier, David
Paper Book
A profound meditation on climate change and the Anthropocene and an urgent search for the fossils--industrial, chemical, geological--that humans are leaving behind What will the world look like in ten thousand years--or ten million? What kinds of stories will be told about...

551 Farrier 2020

A brief history of Earth : four billion years in eight chapters
Knoll, Andrew H.
Paper Book
Harvard's acclaimed geologist "charts Earth's history in accessible style" (AP) "A sublime chronicle of our planet." -Booklist, STARRED review How well do you know the ground beneath your feet  Odds are, where you're standing was once cooking...

551 Knoll 2021

Mountains of fire : the menace, meaning, and magic of volcanoes
Oppenheimer, Clive
Paper Book
Meeting with volcanoes around the world, a volcanologist interprets their messages for humankind.   In Mountains of Fire, Clive Oppenheimer invites readers to stand with him in the shadow of an active volcano. Whether he is scaling majestic summits,...

551.21 Oppenheimer 2023

Rocks and minerals
Bonewitz, Ra.
Paper Book
Did you know culinary salt is the mineral halite? Or that the pigment vermillion is powdered cinnabar, a mineral whose name comes from the Persian for "dragon's blood"? Discover the extraordinary mineral treasures that form our planet and that today we use in everything, from...

552 B641 2012

Rocks, minerals & fossils of the world
Pellant, Chris.
Paper Book

552 P363

Rocks and minerals : a photographic field guide
Pellant, Chris
Paper Book
Created in association with Smithsonian Institution, this authoritative guide features more than 500 rocks and minerals. Packed with photographs and details on characteristics, distinguishing features, and more, Smithsonian Handbooks: Rocks and Minerals makes identification easy. ...

552 P363r 2014

Modern rockhounding and prospecting handbook
Romaine, Garret
Paper Book
This volume gives you the basic tools to transition from "pebble pup" to expert rockhound and explains everything from geology basics, identification tips, tools of the trade, how to record your findings, and how to set up a lab or gem shop. Before you know it, you'll be driving the open roads and...

552 R66 2014

Simon and Schuster's Guide to rocks and minerals
Paper Book
Practical, concise, and easy to use, Simon & Schuster's Guide to Rocks and Minerals contains everything that the rock and mineral enthusiast needs to know. This field guide is divided into two large sections - one devoted to minerals and one to rocks, each prefaced by a comprehensive introduction...

552 Si53 1978

Gem : the definitive visual guide
Raden, Aja
Paper Book
Prepare to be dazzled by this shining and sumptuous visual guide to the world's greatest treasures.  Feast your eyes on glittering gemstones, kaleidoscopic minerals, and famous trinkets in this comprehensive exploration of Earth's finest jewels. Following a...

553.8 Gem 2016

Ruby, sapphire & emerald buying guide : how to evaluate, identify, select & care for these gemstones
Newman, Renee
Paper Book
These guides feature full-color photography throughout and help consumers and professionals make the smart choice in their purchase of precious and semiprecious gems and metals.

553.84 N467

Rockhounding Wisconsin : a guide to the state's best sites
Beard, Robert D.
Paper Book
Explore the mineral-rich region of Wisconsin with veteran rockhound Robert Beard's Rockhounding Wisconsin and unearth the state's best rockhounding sites, ranging from popular and commercial sites to numerous lesser-known areas. Featuring an overview of the state's geologic history as well as a site...
Dinosaurs rediscovered : the scientific revolution in paleontology
Benton, M. J.
Paper Book
Over the past twenty years, the study of dinosaurs has transformed into a true scientific discipline. New technologies have revealed secrets locked in prehistoric bones that no one could have previously predicted. We can now work out the color of dinosaurs, the force of their bite, their top...

567.9 Benton 2019

Fossil men : the quest for the oldest skeleton and the origins of humankind
Pattison, Kermit
Paper Book
"Riveting. ... Pattison's uncanny ability [is] to write evocatively about science. ... In this, he is every bit as good as the best scientist writers." --New York Times Book Review (Editors' Choice)  "Brilliant. ... A work of staggering depth." --Minneapolis Star Tribune

569.9 Pattison 2020

Rock gardening : reimagining a classic style
Tychonievich, Joseph
Paper Book
AHS Book Award winner   Rock gardening --the art of growing alpines and other miniature plants in the company of rocks in order to recreate the look of a rugged mountaintop--has been surging in popularity. Time and space constraints, chronic drought in...

635.9672 Tychonievich 2016

The Cartiers : the untold story of the family behind the jewelry empire
Brickell, Francesca Cartier
Paper Book
"A dynamic group biography studded with design history and high-society dash . . . [This] elegantly wrought narrative bears the Cartier hallmark."--The Economist The captivating story of the family behind the Cartier empire and the three brothers who turned their...

739.2709 Cartier Brickell 2019

Flowstones : beautiful creations from polymer clay
Goldin, Amy
Paper Book
Conceived of by artist Amy Goldin, "flowstones" are crafted by molding a sheet of polymer clay around a smooth river rock. They impart a sense of calm to the holder, grounded by the weight and soothed by the smooth surface. Each stone's unique shape and pattern gives it a beauty all its own. ...

745.5723 Goldin 2018

Art on the rocks : more than 35 colorful & contemporary rock painting projects, tips, and techniques to inspire your creativity
Bac, F. Sehnaz
Paper Book
Grab your colors, head outside, and start painting beautiful works of art on stones. Art on the Rocks, an all-inclusive instruction book, is packed with creative ideas, step-by-step projects, and endless inspiration for creating masterpieces that are truly one with nature....

745.723 Bac 2017

Rock painting for beginners
Rechl, Christine
Paper Book
Turn rocks and stones into tiny treasures--to display at home or to give to your friends! Using pens, markers, paints, brushes, and the simple lessons in this book, you'll be able to turn stones into gorgeous works of art that everyone will love. Design expert Christine...

745.723 Rechl 2024

Rock art critters : paint the perfect pebble
Scicluna, Denise
Paper Book
Over 40 creative projects to transform ordinary rocks into cute and colorful animals, bugs, or fish! Helpful pictures and clear instructions will have kids and adults enjoying hours of artistic fun! Get ready to rock on! In this helpful guide, readers will discover: Tips for...

751.426 Scicluna 2018

Stonehenge : a new understanding : solving the mysteries of the greatest stone age monument
Parker Pearson, Michael
Paper Book
Stonehenge stands as an enduring link to our prehistoric ancestors, yet the secrets it has guarded for thousands of years have long eluded us. Until now, the millions of enthusiasts who flock to the iconic site have made do with mere speculation--about Stonehenge's celestial significance,...

936.2 P229 2013

Blood diamonds : tracing the deadly path of the world's most precious stones
Campbell, Greg.
Paper Book
Journalist Greg Campbell leads the reader down the international diamond trail of brutality, horror, and profit - providing an on-the-ground and in-the-mines story of global consequenceFirst discovered in 1930, the diamonds of Sierra Leone have funded one of the most savage rebel campaigns in...

966.404 C152

Stampede : gold fever and disaster in the Klondike
Castner, Brian
Paper Book
A gripping and wholly original account of the epic human tragedy that was the great Klondike Gold Rush of 1897-98. One hundred thousand men and women rushed heedlessly north to make their fortunes; very few did, but many thousands of them died in the attempt. In 1897, the United...

971.91 Castner 2021

Jungle of stone : the true story of two men, their extraordinary journey, and the discovery of the lost civilization of the Maya
Carlsen, William
Paper Book
The acclaimed chronicle of the discovery of the legendary lost civilization of the Maya. Includes the history of the major Maya sites, including Palenque, Uxmal, Chichen Itza, Tuloom, Copan, and more. NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * Illustrated with a map and more than 100 images. ...

972.81 C197 2016

Ghost town living : mining for purpose and chasing dreams at the edge of Death Valley
Underwood, Brent
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER . A long-abandoned silver mine for sale sounded like an adventure too great to passup, but it turned into much more-a calling, a community of millions, and hard-earned lessons about chasing impractical dreams. "Inspiring and meditative-the...

979.487 Underwood 2024


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