- The Rarest Blue: The Remarkable Story of an Ancient Color Lost to History and Rediscovered

I was told in the 1950's that the "clam" that supplied the blue dye that the bible allowed was extinct and that blue should not be used. I am delighted to find out that the "clam" is actually a Murex snail and it is very much alive. This book is clearly written and easy to read. Older readers will need reading glasses of a magnifying glass due to the small print.

Loved this book! I found this book’s subject matter fascinating. The research was very thorough about the ancient color blue. The book was very well written. I plan to read the book again and recommend it to others.

Book is great...love the diagrams and pictures also. BUT the box it arrived in was fine. Not torn or banged up. BUT THE BOOK BACK COVER AND COVER were both messed up..torn and needed repair. I am keeping the book. But it did come battered up....not the pages so that is why I got out my glue and tape and repaired it. Just to state the facts. The box is came in was perfect so it was placed in the box torn up.

Such a well written story. I could not put it down. I love nonfiction and this book is a favorite. Mystery, intrigue, ancient history, science all utilized to solve an ancient problem for the Jewish people and their sacred quest to follow Hashems law.

A book that takes the reader on a fascinating journey almost around the world in search of that ancient blue color of royalty only. “What cannot be sold and people who are forbidden to sell or buy. No private citizen shall have the right to dye or sell purple cloth….in the colors called blatta, oxyblatta or hyacinthina. …let him know that he risks losing his property and his life”. Codex Justinianus 529 The author takes the reader on a historical journey from before Alexander the Great to modern times and how he re-discovered this blue.

Very interesting read with a mix of history, religion, and science.

For many years I have study Jewish history in regards to how the Tabernacles were made and how the garments for the priests were obviously with many questions remaining. Dying material today is quite unnoticed because there are a plethora of colors artificially produced. But think about Joseph’s coat of many colors and producing the priestly garments in a dessert. I would guess the materials were dyed in Egypt which would have been VERY expensive perhaps more valuable than the gold. That’s not even considering the additional dyed material required for the tabernacle of Moses. It really is a fascinating walk through history but also of the magnitude to dye wool. It was not small task!!!

Fascinating information about this very important color die used in the times of Jesus. Great writing and well done. I learned much and found it applicable to many scriptural references.

Parcel arrived on time but in a slightly battered box but understandable as it came from the US to UK. What a fascinating book. I’m still reading it. Beautiful hard cover and lovely illustrated book jacket. If you’re interested in the historical details of the tekhelet then this is the book will give you all the answers plus insight into a lot more.