Gold: A Treasure Hunt Through Time - Hardcover

Biesty, Stephen; Hooper, Meredith

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0340788550 ISBN 13: 9780340788554

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton, 2002

Synopsis

This book tells the story of precious gold, created when stars explode, mined in Ancient Egypt, made into a mummy mask, and buried with a king. But the tomb is robbed and the mask is stolen—and so the gold changes hands and changes shape as centuries pass. It's a prize at the Colosseum in Rome, a gift for Queen Elizabeth I at Nonesuch Palace, counterfeit coins in a sea captain's chest, a toothpick holder at Versailles, gold buttons on a waistcoat bound for Australia, and a necklace in modern New York. Stephen Biesty's richly detailed illustrations and Meredith Hooper's resonant text together tell the awe-inspiring story of the gold and its owners, of hopes and dreams, courage and deceit, romance and adventure.

About this title

About the Author

Illustrator: Stephen Biesty studied illustration, specialising in historical and architectural drawings. He achieved international fame with his enormously popular 'Incredible Cross Sections' books, which have sold over 2 million copies worldwide and have won numerous awards. His illustrations are unrivalled for their ambitious scope and extraordinary attention to detail. Author: Meredith Hooper grew up in Australia and came to the UK to do a post-graduate degree at Oxford. She is the author of many remarkable books for children, acclaimed for the way they distil a wealth of research into writing which is both simple and powerful.

Review

The journey is enriched by the detailed and brilliant pictures. The reader takes in history, geography and science through a fascinating narrative that leads us from the distant stars to here and now. * Booktrusted News, Spring 2003 * ...a lyrical, concise and compelling narrative. * TES * This is a mervellous and imaginative story of change and renewal. It is also superbly illustrated - with a surprise in every picture. A real treasure from a top author and illustrator team. * Junior Education January 2003 * Imaginative narrative non-fiction is rare these days, so this book is particularly welcome. * Financial Times * Stylish Gold... Meredith Hooper's almost poetic narrative demonstrates the richness of source material in telling an extraordinary story. Stephen Biesty illustrates his heart out. * Glasgow Sunday Herald * 'Biesty's illustrations, rich in fine detail and atmosphere, recreate the different periods of history, and with Meredith Hooper's elegant narrative this adds up to, well, pure gold'. * The Bookseller - 19th July 2002 * STAR CHOICE. Biesty's illustrations, sweeping across history, combine a sense of panorama with fine detail. A handsome production, of appeal to a wide age range. * The Bookseller * 'it speaks to the imagination' Quentin Blake 'it's the kind of book that you do actually look at for a very long time' containing ' images you'd carry with you for the rest of your life' Julia Eccleshare * Radio 4, Open Book Programme * The book is a fantastic journey through history, combining fact and fiction and rich in language and design. * The Bookseller - 21st June 2002 *

Edition details

• Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0340788550
• ISBN 13: 9780340788554
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 48