Reading Group Guide

Early in our world's life, a meteor crashed into the Earth's
surface leaving mass destruction in its wake. Buried among the
mastodon and mammoth fossils was an enchanting stone that would be
uncovered only after centuries of wind and rain. Possessed by
dozens of women throughout time, the stone embodied a unique power
for each of its guardians. Some believed it to give them
extrasensory abilities, others imagined it contained the soul of
their religious icon.

Considered responsible for the successes and failures of whoever
held it, the stone was involved in many of the turning points in
history. One of the most captivating aspects of THE BLESSING STONE
is the accuracy of the depictions of these events. Barbara Wood has
done an admirable job of telling this inconceivable tale in a
believable way. From her stunning descriptions of an ancient city
with unlimited wealth to her agonizing portrayal of a starving
nomadic clan in Africa, Wood inundates the reader with tremendous
imagery.

The story of the blessing stone is more than just a tale about a
precious gem. It is also the story of the development of
civilization, the changes in organized religion and the evolution
of women's roles in society. Through each character's tragedies and
triumphs, the story of the blessing stone unfolds and a new chapter
in history is written.

As the stone is passed from hand to hand and travels from country
to country, Wood masterfully weaves a legend destined to make THE
BLESSING STONE a bestseller. Rarely does an author manage to
combine so many vignettes into one book of such excellence.