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Post by rockpickerforever on May 14, 2019 15:47:27 GMT -5
Since I wasn't buying, I didn't get a chance to "test" his website. I did wonder about it, though. Sometimes you find a great deal, but it is not actually possible to buy. 
It's possible he no longer has them available in English? |
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Post by rockpickerforever on May 14, 2019 15:49:45 GMT -5
I misread your post. I thought you were referencing his book on banded agates. Yes, I have a copy of the first book. I think it's very interesting and almost worth the price for the images alone. English is his second language and you have to give some of his writing a little Tennessee windage. Sometimes it takes a couple of readings to get his point, at least that was my experience. I think his theories make a lot of sense. I got the book 3-4 years ago and will have to re-read it soon. 1Dave took issue with some of the content as I recall during a PM exchange about the book. I look forward to others' opinions and comments about it. Agree with gemfeller . Some of the books are worth the price for just the pics. |
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wpotterw
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2016
Posts: 446 
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Post by wpotterw on May 14, 2019 16:33:13 GMT -5
Does anyone have this book or is anyone familiar with this guy's theories? Genesis and Classification of Agates and Jaspers: a New Theory www.agatesandjaspers.com/I'm having a copy sent to me. My daughter ordered it for me for mother's day. I have the one below it with the purple cover. Very interesting. I wanted every rock he photographed for my own cutting pleasure. I got it on DDrockshop.com, but it has been sold out there for awhile. That and "Picture Jaspers From the Northwest" are the best agate/jasper books I've ever seen. BP |
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Post by grumpybill on May 14, 2019 16:51:08 GMT -5
I tried to buy on his website, but the paypal link asked me what language and when I said English, it took me to Spanish (repeatedly), which I am not familiar with, so I went to ebay. Wish I could have given him the money directly. I just now ordered the 2 book set. Didn't get an option for language [Edit: at checkout]. Took me straight to Spanish. It's been 50 years since I took high school Spanish, but it was pretty obvious where to enter my PayPal ID and password. I don't know what the checkbox was for, so I left it unchecked. I'm hoping the books get here in time to be vacation reading. (For those times when I need to lock myself away from the grandkids...and/or the wife.) |
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Post by Rockindad on May 15, 2019 8:08:46 GMT -5
I tried to buy on his website, but the paypal link asked me what language and when I said English, it took me to Spanish (repeatedly), which I am not familiar with, so I went to ebay. Wish I could have given him the money directly. I just now ordered the 2 book set. Didn't get an option for language. Took me straight to Spanish. It's been 50 years since I took high school Spanish, but it was pretty obvious where to enter my PayPal ID and password. I don't know what the checkbox was for, so I left it unchecked. I'm hoping the books get here in time to be vacation reading. (For those times when I need to lock myself away from the grandkids...and/or the wife.) Hope that box wasn't to choose the English version or you'll be brushing up on that Spanish  Al |
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Post by rockpickerforever on May 15, 2019 8:10:07 GMT -5
I misunderstood what grumpybill said about the choice for language. Did not get that he was talking about just the PayPal link, and not the language of the book. I have been in email contact with the author, he said the books are only in English. He will be fixing the PayPal link. I agree with rockjunquie , better to purchase from him directly. He is a self-producer, does everything himself. He writes the book, takes the photos, does the editing and also made the webpage. I think he shouldn't have to give up a share of proceeds for someone to sell it. To purchase directly from him, the link to his site is www.agatesandjaspers.com . His special offer for both books is about halfway down the page. He accepts PayPal. International shipping is slow, expect up to a four week wait. |
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Post by grumpybill on May 15, 2019 8:23:01 GMT -5
I edited my post to clarify that the Spanish language thing was during the checkout process.
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Post by grumpybill on May 15, 2019 8:41:44 GMT -5
Hope that box wasn't to choose the English version or you'll be brushing up on that Spanish  I found out it was to stay signed-in to PayPal. <wipes sweat from brow> |
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Post by rockpickerforever on May 15, 2019 8:57:50 GMT -5
I don't get around much anymore, but I've ordered a copy. Not available from ABE Books, Amazon, or Book Finder.com.  He sells it on eBay. I saw it at a few rock sites, too. Nice guy. I screwed up the order (I had to order it, daughter doesn't do eBay, but she bought it) and bought the wrong book. He's swapping them for me and signed it. Got right back to me, too. That's not always the case.
He seems to be a very nice guy. He has replied to my emails quickly, too.
From the few email exchanges we've had, he seems very passionate about his theory and this new book. He is a geologist, and feels that silica is a wonderful topic that has never received the proper attention by the academic community.
gemfeller had mentioned in a previous post that because English is not the author's first language, at times, some of the content was a bit confusing. Mr. Venuti understands that, and has taken steps to remedy the language issue.
From his email -
He is always working to improve. He told me much of what he learned to produce the books came from watching YouTube videos! I imagine especially making a website.
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Post by rockjunquie on May 15, 2019 11:01:21 GMT -5
He sells it on eBay. I saw it at a few rock sites, too. Nice guy. I screwed up the order (I had to order it, daughter doesn't do eBay, but she bought it) and bought the wrong book. He's swapping them for me and signed it. Got right back to me, too. That's not always the case.
He seems to be a very nice guy. He has replied to my emails quickly, too.
From the few email exchanges we've had, he seems very passionate about his theory and this new book. He is a geologist, and feels that silica is a wonderful topic that has never received the proper attention by the academic community.
gemfeller had mentioned in a previous post that because English is not the author's first language, at times, some of the content was a bit confusing. Mr. Venuti understands that, and has taken steps to remedy the language issue.
From his email -
He is always working to improve. He told me much of what he learned to produce the books came from watching YouTube videos! I imagine especially making a website.
I'm glad you have been having a good conversation with him. I don't think he gets enough credit, personally, and I haven't even seen the book, yet. Gotta admire him. |
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NRG
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,688
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Post by NRG on May 16, 2019 18:13:29 GMT -5
A new lawn mower? You romantic you. ;-) Well, she's the one that said our old one was too heavy to handle. I thought that sounded like a hint. Self propelled it is! You are a good hubby |
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Post by Garage Rocker on May 16, 2019 20:36:20 GMT -5
Well, she's the one that said our old one was too heavy to handle. I thought that sounded like a hint. Self propelled it is! You are a good hubby Right, she propels it herself.  Had to get a light one for her and the boys to use. Daddy's out of commission for a while. |
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Post by grumpybill on May 17, 2019 5:40:00 GMT -5
The author sent me a note thanking me for the purchase and letting me know the books had shipped. He said it could take up to 4 weeks for them to get here, but expected them to arrive in 10 days. He didn't provide a tracking number.
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Post by rockjunquie on May 17, 2019 7:27:13 GMT -5
The author sent me a note thanking me for the purchase and letting me know the books had shipped. He said it could take up to 4 weeks for them to get here, but expected them to arrive in 10 days. He didn't provide a tracking number. I got a note, too. I don't believe the Spanish mail has tracking- at least not outside Spain. |
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Post by grumpybill on May 17, 2019 7:34:32 GMT -5
The few things I've ever gotten from anywhere in Europe have all come via DHL, which has even worse tracking than the USPS. I assume (possibly incorrectly) the books will cross the Atlantic via DHL.
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NRG
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,688
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Post by NRG on May 17, 2019 9:30:29 GMT -5
The few things I've ever gotten from anywhere in Europe have all come via DHL, which has even worse tracking than the USPS. I assume (possibly incorrectly) the books will cross the Atlantic via DHL. I read his eBay listing carefully. He pays the postage so he chooses regular old snail mail. For $30 you can have DHL in a few days. |
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Post by grumpybill on May 17, 2019 10:59:18 GMT -5
NRG, I ordered from his website. $16 for postage/shipping.
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Post by rockjunquie on Jun 7, 2019 11:24:58 GMT -5
I got my book! The package was a little beat up, but just one corner is messed up.
Quick glance so far. It's beautiful! I have scanned a few pages of text and it seems very easy to read. Can't comment on his theory, yet. I am happy that I got it. For the pictures if not for anything else. I'll comment more after I have had a chance to digest some of it.
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Post by parfive on Jun 7, 2019 21:43:10 GMT -5
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Post by grumpybill on Jun 9, 2019 8:16:39 GMT -5
I was hoping my set would arrive by the 6th so I could take them with me for vacation reaching...no such luck. Looks like they'll be set aside for winter night reading.
ETA: My house-sitting son told me the books were delivered on Monday, the 10th.
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