Histories of the Unexpected: How Everything Has a History

Description

In this fascinating and original new book, Sam Willis and James Daybell lead us on a journey of historical discovery that tackles some of the greatest historical themes - from the Tudors to the Second World War, from the Roman Empire to the Victorians - but via entirely unexpected subjects. You will find out here how the history of the beard is connected to the Crimean War; how the history of paperclips is all about the Stasi; how the history of bubbles is all about the French Revolution. And who knew that Heinrich Himmler, Tutankhamun and the history of needlework are linked to napalm and Victorian orphans? Taking the reader on an enthralling and extraordinary journey through thirty different topics that are ingeniously linked together, Histories of the Unexpected not only presents a new way of thinking about the past, but also reveals the everyday world around us as never before. In Histories of the Unexpected, Sam Willis and James Daybell lead us on a journey of discovery that tackles some of the greatest historical themes - from the Tudors to the Second World War, from the Roman Empire to the Victorians - but via entirely unexpected subjects. By taking this revolutionary approach, they not only present a new way of thinking about the past, but also reveal the everyday world around us as never before. Acknowledgements Introduction   1. The Hand   2. Gloves   3. Perfume   4. The Bubble   5. Shadows   6. Beards   7. Clouds   8. Dust   9. Clocks 10. Needlework 11. The Itch 12. Holes 13. The Bed 14. Dreams 15. Hair 16. The Paper Clip 17. Letters 18. Boxes 19. Courage 20. Mountains 21. Chimneys 22. Tears 23. Lions 24. Rubbish 25. Snow 26. Cats 27. The Smile 28. The Scar 29. The Lean 30. The Signature Selected Further Reading Illustration Credits Index