History Of Commodities & Objects Books

Helena Attlee, a connoisseur of Italian culture, escorts readers on an olfactory odyssey through the nation's fragrant gardens. Her vivid prose, peppered with anecdotes, quotations, and tantalising recipes, transports one to the heart of Italy's citrus-scented landscapes. This captivating tome unravels Italy's unexpected history...

Prepare to be captivated by this woolly tale that rivals Harari's Sapiens in its ability to enthral. From the cradle of civilisation in ancient Mesopotamia to the sprawling sheep stations of modern Australia, these remarkable creatures have been woven into the very fabric of...

Subtle, compendious and rich' - James McConnachie, The Sunday Times'Dazzling ... Finlay's adventures, vividly recounted, make enthralling reading ... This book is equally an inspiration and an education' - Bel Mooney, Daily Mail'A gorgeous adventure through the history of cloth' - StylistThe Sunday Times...

In this captivating exploration of the garments that adorn us, Sofi Thanhauser unravels the intricate tapestry of clothing history. 'Worn: A People's History of Clothing' delves into the rich narratives woven into five essential fabrics: Linen, Cotton, Silk, Synthetics, and Wool. With the precision...

The untold story of rural Britain revealed through its artefacts ?'A really lovely, fascinating book. I dived straight into this clever, joyous, celebration of nature, history, and - of course - the countryside.' Charles Spencer, author of The White Ship For most of human...

Shortlisted for the prestigious Sunday Times Sports Book Awards 2023, this captivating tome offers a delightful journey through the annals of cycling history. Brimming with charming anecdotes, intriguing interviews, and fascinating historical accounts, it paints a comprehensive picture of the humble bicycle—a marvellous contraption...

Embark on a captivating journey through the evolution of the printed book, as seen through the eyes of 18 extraordinary individuals who revolutionised its creation. This masterpiece, lauded as an Economist Book of the Year and a Financial Times Book of the Summer for...

Embark on a captivating journey through time and across cultures with Clare Hunter's 'Threads of Life', a Sunday Times bestseller and Radio 4 Book of the Week. This masterful blend of history and memoir weaves together tales of human resilience, creativity, and the universal...

Maps have long been instrumental in moulding our perception of the world and our position within it. Far from being mere scientific tools, these cartographic creations are inextricably linked to the ideologies and power structures of their time. In this riveting exploration, Jerry Brotton...

Shortlisted for the esteemed Cundhill History Prize, this captivating account unravels the intricate tapestry of opium's global influence. With razor-sharp wit and unparalleled accessibility, Amitav Ghosh's 'Smoke and Ashes' delves into the dark underbelly of free-market capitalism and globalisation, as shaped by the deceptively...

Three textile roads tangle their way through Central Asia. The famous Silk Road united east and west through trade. Older still was the Wool Road, of critical importance when houses made from wool enabled nomads to traverse the inhospitable winter steppes. Then there was...

`A breathtaking, expansive and imaginative ride through the history and future of money from an author who truly understands it'�PROFESSOR BRIAN COX `Exceptional' FINANCIAL TIMES� `A cracking book that is as enjoyable as it is readable'�PETER FRANKOPAN `Equally entertaining and insightful'�YANIS VAROUFAKIS _______________________________________________________ MONEY....

There is not just one story of silk. In silk is science, history and mythology. In silk is the future. Aarathi Prasad's Silk is a gorgeous new history weaving together the story of a unique material that has fascinated the world for millennia. Through...

The reed goes on, the reed comes off. The reed rots and returns to the earth. The houses we work on outlast us. The thatch we use has never stood still. On The Roof is a thatcher's tale - a journey of discovery, and...

Homer called it a divine substance. Plato described it as especially dear to the gods. As Mark Kurlansky so brilliantly relates here, salt has shaped civilisation from the beginning, and its story is a glittering, often surprising part of the history of mankind. Wars...