The Fabric of Civilization: How Textiles Made the World
Book details
Summary
Description
From Paleolithic flax to 3D knitting, explore the global history of textiles and the world they weave together in this enthralling and educational guide.
The story of humanity is the story of textiles -- as old as civilization itself. Since the first thread was spun, the need for textiles has driven technology, business, politics, and culture.
In The Fabric of Civilization, Virginia Postrel synthesizes groundbreaking research from archaeology, economics, and science to reveal a surprising history. From Minoans exporting wool colored with precious purple dye to Egypt, to Romans arrayed in costly Chinese silk, the cloth trade paved the crossroads of the ancient world. Textiles funded the Renaissance and the Mughal Empire; they gave us banks and bookkeeping, Michelangelo's David and the Taj Mahal. The cloth business spread the alphabet and arithmetic, propelled chemical research, and taught people to think in binary code.
Assiduously researched and deftly narrated, The Fabric of Civilization tells the story of the world's most influential commodity.
Reader reviews
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I enjoyed the subject matter (of course!) and how the author arranged/organized the delivery of the information. Was also happy to see several other books I respect referenced in this one. Was not super happy with the author using the phrase, "involuntary migrants" to describe slaves being relocated. I have encountered that phrase before and I think it waters down the perception. Overall, very happy with this book and am adding it to my reference library.
I felt the organization supported the delivery of the subject matter.
The use of the phrase "involuntary migrants" to describe relocated slaves. Waters down the perception, understanding, and impact of their lives.
