The French Blue

[jshepherd]

I was fortunate enough to get an early Kindle edition of Richard Wise’s newest masterpiece The French Blue. I also own a copy of Wise’s Secrets of the Gem Trade, and it is one of the very few gem books that I’ve read cover to cover, not just skipping ahead to the sections about pearls.

http://www.pearl-guide.com/The-French-Blue-Book-Review.html

[smetzler]

Amazon is still showing 19-23 November for the P&I (paper and ink) crowd. Should make great reading for the holidays.

[Ramona]

I am looking forward to it. The preview looks very promising. a fascinating story.

[GemGeek]

I'll have to hunt Richard down in Tucson to get him to sign my copy. He'll probably be at the AGA conference. ;)

[judimcc6]

I just downloaded the Kindle version and have devoured The Secrets of the Gem Trade by Wise. A great read. Thanks for the heads up on The French Blue. I'm traveling tomorrow and it will perfect for a long flight!

[Richard W. Wise]

GemGeek,

You can hunt me down at AGTA. I will be giving a talk on The French Blue at a seminar on February 4th at 1:00pm. Also, at Tucson Gem & Mineral Show on Saturday the 13th at 11.

Judi, Hope you enjoy the Kindle version, I love my Kindle, unfortunately can't sign it though.

[judimcc6]

Sure you could. I'll just bring the whole Kindle to Tucson and you can just sign it! And I will hunt you down too for the seminar on the 4th at 1:00pm. What room will it be in?

[Richard W. Wise]

Judi,
LOL, Not sure, check AGTA website I think they have a list of seminars. Bring a sharpie.
R.

[judimcc6]

It's on my calendar! You are in the Mohave Rm., which seems to be the GIA room of preference. Congratulations.

[Richard W. Wise]

Judi,

Thanks, I believe I can find that venue.

Best,

[smetzler]

Received today. Us Seattleites do have a little advantage with Amazon mail. Great timing for reading during upcoming travels.

[Richard W. Wise]

Allow me to share The French Blue's first "professional" literary review from the prestigious Midwest Book Review:

5 of 5 stars (Amazon) A fine piece of historical fiction, highly recommended, December 8, 2009
By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA)

"Gems have always been items of great worth. "The French Blue" tells a fictionalized story of the historic French blue diamond and the man who brought it to France, Jean-Baptiste Tavernier and his associate, Madeleine de Goisse, who traveled throughout India and Persia. The French blue is the focus of the story, but the adventures of Jean and Madeleine are what keeps the story moving. "The French Blue" is a fine piece of historical fiction, highly recommended."

[pattye]

Richard,

Congratulations! A review like this must make you very pleased!!

Your book is atop my Christmas list!

[Mka4972]

I'll be reading this book after I finish Tears of Mermaids over the holidays thanks to Peter Bazar who gave me a copy, looking foward to it.

[Caitlin]

I'll be reading this book after I finish Tears of Mermaids over the holidays thanks to Peter Bazar who gave me a copy, looking foward to it.

I hope your post your opinions on ToM.

[Mka4972]

Will do.... I do not like the comparison to Cocaine dealers.. I think I saw a tread devoted to ToM, don't want to hijack this one...

[GemGeek]

If you had to form your opinion of Mr. Bloom from this book, well, he didn't come across as a nice guy. The word muckraker comes to mind.

[Richard W. Wise]

All,
You will find a video reading of The French Blue on the book's website. http://thefrenchblue.com/mt_intro.htm. The reader as actor George Bergen dressed in 17th Century costume as Jean Baptiste Tavernier.

Happy holidays to all,

[DrTKStern]

Dear Richard,

I just finished The French Blue, (Kindle version) a great read for someone interested in pearls and gems, and a very good story for others. As a novelist myself, I compliment you on your dialogue, your tremendous research, and for your ability to keep the story moving forward.

I believe your book will inspire my 23 year old son, Tom Jr., who also is receiving your Secrets of the Gem Trade for Christmas and who is debating whether to attend Law School versus GIA in Carlsbad, plus the pearl course in Bangkok with Ken Scarratt and Nick Sturman.

Congratulations! And of course Holiday Greetings to you and your family.

Tom Stern, M.D.
Incoming National Fellow, Stanford University Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace
Prince of Sulu and North Borneo (Datu Bandahala)
Special Representative to the U.S.A.
Chairman, One World Institute
President, Titan Gold Mining Corporation
447 Sutter St.
#701
San Francisco, CA USA 94108
mobile +1-510-331-7826

[La Contessa]

What a wonderful book. I had to wait and wait and wait but totally worth it!!!! Dear Mr. Shepherd - I'll be looking forward to any of your book recommendations!!! Thank you so much.

[pearlescence]

I believe your book will inspire my 23 year old son, Tom Jr., who also is receiving your Secrets of the Gem Trade for Christmas and who is debating whether to attend Law School versus GIA in Carlsbad, plus the pearl course in Bangkok with Ken Scarratt and Nick Sturman.
Which did he pick? I'm biased but not entirely sure which way having now entirely escaped from teaching law! Learning law will teach him how to think logically and problem solve. Not sure a GIA course would do that.

[La Contessa]

When will the movie be made - it would be so BRILLIANT!!!!! I see Leonardo de Caprio as our hero... And, possibly the Persian beauty Sarah Shahi as his love interest. I'm sure you may have your own visuals as you created this wonderful read.

[danachit]

I have been entrenched in tax, state planning and other sorts of grad classes ad infinium ad nauseum for two years. This book sounds like the perfect first fiction book to pick up! Putting it on my amazon wish list!

[GemGeek]

I believe your book will inspire my 23 year old son, Tom Jr., who also is receiving your Secrets of the Gem Trade for Christmas and who is debating whether to attend Law School versus GIA in Carlsbad, plus the pearl course in Bangkok with Ken Scarratt and Nick Sturman.
Which did he pick? I'm biased but not entirely sure which way having now entirely escaped from teaching law! Learning law will teach him how to think logically and problem solve. Not sure a GIA course would do that.

If he comes to Carlsbad, be sure to let me know! :cool: One can't escape the law. My brother is an attorney and right now I'm working at a law firm.

[La Contessa]

My husband is now reading this. He is making so many comments and engaging me in his "views". Imagine a book about a diamond that a husband with gemphobia enjoys!!!!!

[smetzler]

My husband is now reading this. He is making so many comments and engaging me in his "views". Imagine a book about a diamond that a husband with gemphobia enjoys!!!!!Lifelong gem phobe here as well, trying to catch up…

The French Blue is historical fiction, and makes a real-life adventure accessible to those who would not otherwise read Tavernier's journals. I loved it.

For me it's about the adventure, and the palpable cultural connection of authentic gems with their respective source—like fine wine.

Also worth exploring are the autobiographical works of Louis Kornitzer (Sheridan House, late 30s and early 40s), all the more poignant as Kornitzer's adventures occurred during the turn-of-the-20th-century period that pearl culturing and gem manufacture reared their conflictive heads.

[Richard W. Wise]

It is an honor for me to announce that The French Blue has been named an "award-winning finalist" in the category of Historical Fiction at the 2011 International Book Awards.

http://www.internationalbookawards.com/2011awardannouncement.html

Richard

Here is a link to a live reading of Chapter 11: The Pearl Diver http://thefrenchblue.com/mt_ch7.htm

[pattye]

Just giving "The French Blue" (http://thefrenchblue.com/index2.htm) another recommendation~the next best thing to more pearls~