This remarkable book is the first comprehensive history of beads with illustrations of several thousand examples of beads, bead work and jewelry representing 40,000 years of history, drawn from every major culture and region of the world. Over 350 illustrations, 254 in full color. Fifteen maps of bead sources and data and an extraordinary 8-page fold out of over 2,000 beads in full color, assembled on a time line that places every important bead type in its historical & cultural context. A magnificent book, fascinating, oversized hardbound, 370 pages - $65. Softbound, abridged, with foldout - $19.95.