Its too bad that the publisher is doing such a poor job of marketing Elisabeth Strack's book. It truly is the best thing since Donkin,
Donkin, R. A.., Beyond Price; Pearls and Pearl-Fishing: Origins to the Age of Discoveries. American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, 1998, 1st edition.
In fact Strack and Donkin together make up the most comprehensive treatment of any gemstone, a pretty comprehensive library on pearls in two volumes. Donkin is a bit better on history, but Strack is more up to date.
The publisher is truly doing Ms. Strack a disservice.