"...a fascinating tale of adventure and global intrigue." -Gems & Gemology This is the backstory of the notorious Hope Diamond. Between the years 1630-1668, the French gem merchant, Jean Baptiste Tavernier made six voyages to Persia and India. His true exploits by land and sea go far beyond the ink and paper exploits of fictional adventurers. Tavernier met and did business with some of the world's most powerful princes and romanced some of the most beautiful women. Sometime during his last voyage, Tavernier acquired a magnificent 116 carat blue diamond. Upon his return to France, he sold the diamond to Louis XIV, for the equivalent of 147 kilos of pure gold. The Sun King made him Baron of Aubonne. The remains of Tavernier s blue gem is known today as the Hope Diamond, but for the first 200 years of its history it was called simply The French Blue . The French Blue tells a fictionalized story of the historic French Blue diamond and the man who brought it to France...The French Blue is a fine piece of historical ficrtion. Highly recommended." ― Midwest Book Review "The French Blue...filled with action and adventure in a historical setting that will intrigue lovers of the historical fiction genre as well as gem enthusiasts. Dive in and enjoy the ride!" ― The Historical Novel Review "This book has it all adventure, pirates, travel to foreign lands, incredible jewels from the earth and the collections of moguls...oh yeah did I mention it also has romance? Tavernier is not just a gem trader and traveler - he is a man. In his travels he romances several women and we meet the daughter of a Courtesan and a Sultan - the woman who is destined to be the love of his life." -- Robyn Hawk ― Goodreads "There are a few books that you feel you have to rush through to see what will happen next. Then when you have finished, you wish that it could have continued. This is one of those books." -- Ronald Roseborough ― Goodreads "The author began with Tavernier's famous memoir to weave a facinating tale of adventure and global intrigue." -- Scott Sucher ― Gems & Gemology A RICH TAPESTRY OF A BOOK Wow! I just finished reading The French Blue on my Kindle. What a joy it was! I had expected it to be about gems, but didn't realize it was going to make Jean-Baptiste Tavernier and his era come alive for me, and that I would share his adventures, and some pretty fantastic romances in addition. In the beginning I couldn't put it down, and after half-way through I began to ration my reading because I didn't want it to end. Thank you so much, Richard Wise, for all you research and hard work, and for bringing this story to life! A rich tapestry, indeed. -- NFS ― Amazon.com From the seraglios of Persia to the empire of Shah Jahan---from the lands of The Great Mogul of India to the court of the Sun King of France, the true story of Jean Baptiste Tavernier and the back story of The fabulous Hope Diamond explodes across a panorama of three continents. Like the novel's protagonist, Richard W. Wise is a writer and an international gem dealer.  He is the author of the critically acclaimed (Amazon 5 stars) Secrets Of The Gem Trade, The Connoisseur's Guide To Precious Gemstones . Used Book in Good Condition