Readers, reviewers, and scientists all recognize that Jean M. Auel’s meticulous research has made the Earth’s Children® Series not only a rich reading experience but a wonderful way for people world-wide to learn about our ancestors.
Here is a list of only a few of the sources she has used, handpicked by the author.
Weiner, Michael A. Macmillan Company, The, New York, 1972
This is an A-Z illustrated guide to the wild plants used by Indians for food, poultices and decoctions, tonics and sedatives. Weiner is a renowned nutritionist—contemporary reviews called this book authoritative.
Jelínek, Jan (translated from the Czech by Helga Hanks) The Hamlyn Publishing Group Ltd., New York, 1975
This illustrated look at many discoveries includes some from Eastern Europe that were rarely seen by in the West (at the time if its publication). It is fascinating and insightful about the origin of mankind.
Tanner, Nancy Makepeace Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1981
Professor Tanner’s book has been called ‘path-breaking.’ A trained cultural and physical anthropologist, she presents a unique model of the transition from ape to human and the reconstruction of early human social life. What makes this book unusual is Prof. Tanner’s careful inclusion of the role of females, and children, in evolution and the growth of society.
Marshack, Alexander Moyer Bell Limited, Mt. Kisco, New York, 1991
Marshack introduced the concept of ‘cognitive archeology’ in this book—a revolutionary concept that studies the role that ideology and differing organizational approaches would have had on ancient peoples.
Ainslie, Tom and Ledbetter, Bonnie William Morrow and Company, Inc., New York, 1980
This is one of the invaluable books that allowed exploration of how animals, in this case, horses, communicate among themselves and with humans. It is interesting to note that one of the authors is a handicapper of racing!
Michael, Pamela Holt, Rinehart and Winston, New York, 1980
This is a cookbook and guide to wild plants and herbs. It includes 380 recipes and descriptions of over 100 plant varieties, as well as illustrations and a calendar showing when to look for plants.
Solecki, Ralph S. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York, 1971
This investigation of Shanidar Caves by the famed American archeologist, Ralph Solecki, was a very most useful resource for author Jean Auel when she began her research for the Earth’s Children® Series. Solecki’s findings helped inform characters like Iza and Creb. This book includes color illustrations by Marjorie Blamey; the useful keys are designed to guide beginners. It also includes notes on ecology and habitats.
McBride, Chris Paddington Press, Ltd., New York, 1977
Illustrated with photographs, this is study of four white lions born on the Timbavati Nature Reserve in NE Transvaal, Africa. It recounts their struggle to survive in the wild. McBride’s book first brought the white lions to the world’s attention; much can be learned about lion behavior through his text and images.
Peters, Roger McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, 1985
Here is a very personal, subjective, impressionistic recollection of the author’s experience of wolves, including some fictional content.
Green, Stephen and Elizabeth Walker National Museum of Wales, Cardiff, 1991
Published by the National Museum of Wales, this look at the Palaeolithic settlement of Wales concentrates on Pontnewydd Cave, which contains the oldest remains of Neanderthals (230,000 years old) yet discovered in Great Britain.
• Notes on the Conference, on the Olmecs by Philip Arnold.
• On the Coconut & Gourd, by Greg Keyes.
• Correlation questions, on the Dresden Codex by Lloyd Anderson.
• Review and comments, on 2 books by Brotherston, reviewed by John Anderson.
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®Earth's Children is a registered trademark of Jean M. Auel.