In 1980 I took a Cultural Anthropology class at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. I was fascinated by the "modern" hunter-gatherer societies. I was amazed to find out there were still primitive cultures that were basically intact from the rest of the world and I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to live in their society. I never really went beyond the class on learning more, though I thought about it from time to time.

Then, in early 1982 I visited my Grams in L.A., who was living with my aunt and her family at the time. While I was there she started asking me about my reading habits and very excitedly told me about this wonderful book about a cave girl that they had all read and enjoyed. She handed me her copy telling me to take it. She was so thrilled to share it with me that I tried to respond enthusiastically. I didn't want her to know that I thought she was losing it.

I finally got around to reading it a year or two later when I didn't have anything else to read. Boy did I owe her an apology! It had all kinds of good stuff about hunter-gatherers living off the land, living close to mother nature.

I read each book as soon as I could get my hands on them, starting over with The Clan of the Cave Bear each time to make sure I wouldn't miss anything. I wanted to savor each word.

When I got started, the first two books were already out. I had to wait three years for The Mammoth Hunters to come out. Then five more years for The Plains of Passage. That was 1990. Now we have a publication date of April 30, 2002 for Jean's 5th book - The Shelters of Stone! She's been busy working on the sixth and last of the planned series and is hoping to be finished with it much sooner than the 5th. Join our updates newsletter or just keep an eye on ECfans.com for ongoing updates!

That leads us to this Web page about Jean Auel and my search for information about her and her books. 6 1/2 years was too long! (We're talking 1996 here!) I had a Cro-Magnon craving and needed a Neandertal fix! I can't seem to read enough about these folks. I've tried to put together some cool info I've come across. Have fun with it and please send me feedback - suggestions, comments and input! More questions for the Earth's Children quiz are always great! Be sure and check out the ECfans Community of sites - and The AuelBoard discussions in particular!

Thanks for visiting!
Diane in Cincinnati
Last updated 14 Feb 2002.

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