Earth’s Children: The Clan of the Cave Bear; The Valley of Horses; The Mammoth Hunters; The Plains of Passage.
"The dawn of man began with desire": First editions of the first four books in The Earth's Children series; each volume inscribed by Jean Auel
Earth’s Children: The Clan of the Cave Bear; The Valley of Horses; The Mammoth Hunters; The Plains of Passage.
AUEL, Jean M.
$975.00
Item Number: 147750
New York: Crown Publishers, Inc, 1980-1990.
First editions of the first four volumes of the author’s acclaimed Earth’s Children series, each inscribed by Jean Auel. Octavo, four volumes, original half cloth, cartographic endpapers. The Clan of the Cave Bear is a presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “To Deloris, Best Wishes Jean M. Auel.” The Valley of Horses is a presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “To Bert, Best – Jean M. Auel.” The Mammoth Hunters is a presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, “To Deloris – For all time, Jean M. Auel.” The Plains of Passage is a presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, “To Bert – Always, Jean M. Auel.” Each volume is fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket paintings by Hiroko. Jacket typography by Paul Bacon. A sharp set.
Jean Auel’s Earth’s Children series, beginning with The Clan of the Cave Bear, offers a complex exploration of prehistoric human societies, blending fiction with anthropological insights. Set during the Ice Age, the series follows the journey of Ayla, a young woman raised by the Clan of the Cave Bear, as she navigates the challenges of survival, identity, and cultural integration. Through its vivid portrayal of early human life, the series delves into themes of social structures, gender roles, and the development of language and spirituality, presenting an imaginative yet thoughtful examination of early human history. Auel’s incorporation of detailed archaeological research provides a foundation for her narrative, though the speculative nature of the story also invites discussion on the boundaries between historical accuracy and fictional imagination. The series, widely recognized for its richly developed characters and immersive world-building, continues to provoke scholarly interest regarding the intersection of fiction, prehistory, and human evolution.
