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.....beckons to the adventurer in each of us. To the single-minded searcher for coins, minerals, artifacts, gold, pirate treasures, or bottles; to the wistfully curious person who murmurs: I wonder, is there something in this for me?

Stevens, who has been called the Pied Piper of treasure hunters, has brought countless individuals and families to that moment of glory when the first flake of gold glows in the gold pan, or that rainbow chip of a mineral quivers between thumb and finger.

This book further develops, instructively and irresistibly, the gold and gem scenes. It tells of dramatic new mineral discoveries, and it coaxes from imaginative gold panners their tactics and hunting grounds.

And now the canvas has been enlarged to include a tantalizing array of other pursuits. Tugging at the leash of that fantastic electronic bloodhound, the metal detector, we find inventive people with new techniques, tips and visions. A few dive underwater, some stalk their prey-like Sherlock Holmes- with the powers of perception, and others just happily follow their hunches.

We delve into the past with passionate and dedicated people as they gently lift from the ground an Indian arrowhead untouched by hands for thousands of years. We learn where to search, what to do, what not to do.

We find snippets of history coming alive along the Arnold Trail, and we search for those many-colored artistic frailties that the uninitiated call "old bottles."

The people we meet are also treasures: in their individualism, inventiveness and generosity as they share their secrets with us. Yes, there is something in it for you. If you are a novice, your steps will be guided on each of the many intriguing paths you can choose. For the fierce veteran of the search there are new and ingenious ideas, hitherto unthoughtof treasure-hunting combinations -- a wonderfully stretched horizon.

C. J. Stevens and his wife, Stella, began panning for gold on the Swift River in Oxford County in 1978, and this would lead to a host of other treasure-related explorations in Maine. They collected minerals, stalked Revolutionary War artifacts along the Arnold Trail and metal detected for a variety of caches. Each search was sparked by the thrill of anticipation.

As they explored a new world they became more proficient in finding gold and gems. This changed both their lives. Stella quit her office job, and they used their findings to launch a profitable craft business called "Maine Gold." C. J. became intrigued by the diversity and ingenuity of the personalities committed to treasure hunting. Three of his books, The Next Bend in the River, Maine Mining Adventures, and The Buried Treasure of Maine, have been acclaimed classics by gold, mineral, and metal detecting enthusaists. These memoirs promise a captivating experience.

Maine seems such an unlikely place for a gold rush, but in the late eighteen hundreds ledges were blasted and back pastures excavated. Mining stocks were sold as quickly as they could be printed , and the hope of` another Sutter's Mill brought speculators rushing into the state from all over the country.

The Next Bend in the River tells the story of this mining boom and bust, along with the colorful hoaxes and their flamboyant creators. The book also has portraits of Maine's leading gold hunters, among them Perley Whitney, Carl Shilling, and Sidney Harden. A look at the table of contents and the reader discovers a lode of material that is rich and varied.

For those who enjoy adventure and who want to know more about prospecting, the author relates some of the remarkable experiences he and his wife have had on the many Maine rivers where they have found gold.

There are simple and easy to follow instructions on how to pan and sluice, tips on dredging and dowsing, and a list of the better streams and locations in Maine where gold can be traced. The material is illustrated with a selection of old and rare photographs.

Three interviews with experienced prospectors are included, and the controversy over a mother lode in Maine is approached from different points of view.

Best are the people one meets in this book; some are strong-willed eccentrics, others are gentler souls, but all are caught in the spell-- that enchantment -- the search for gold.

"Stevens captures the drama with a polished and perceptive writing style. The result is a window in the world of mining in Maine." --Douglas Watts, MAINE TIMES

C. J. Stevens, who introduced gold mining to so many with his book, The Next Bend In The River, now presents an even wider range of action with a background of rivers, mountains, and beaches of Maine. It is the world of minerals and metals.

This book brings to the reader a glittering array of personalities; mineral collectors, eager prospectors, and talented artisans -- each following a personal vision and quest.

A mother lode of tourmaline on a mountain in Newry, a billion dollar discovery of copper and zinc in Aroostook County, and mammoth pockets of amethyst in Stow are only a few of these Maine Mining Adventures. For the beginner, there are easy to follow instructions in the chapters on how and where to find minerals and gold. Many locations are listed, and seasoned miners share their experiences as they generously give advice and guidance.

"Seldom can a mineral collector find a book about the people who make mineral discoveries. Usually all that is available are fairly dry, reconstructed histories of mineral finds. Here, then is a rare book... I recommend this book to all collectors of Maine minerals, especially those who don't live in the state. It presents a wonderful opportunity to get to know the collectors." -- Mark Jacobson, ROCKS & MINERALS

We cannot know what is under our feet as we skip or limp our way to a river or quarry.
Not knowing what we will find gives an edge to life. The privilege of being the first human to have seen a crystal or piece of gold is a reward far greater than the value of the find. It doesn't get better than this, and there is something out there for all of us. Perhaps Maine Mining Adventures will open a path for you.