The Golden Thread cover art

The Golden Thread

How Fabric Changed History

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The Golden Thread

By: Kassia St Clair
Narrated by: Helen Johns
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About this listen

As heard on BBC Radio 4's Book of the Week

A new history of ingenuity from the author of The Secret Lives of Colour.

From the mummies of Ancient Egypt; via the silken dragon robes of Imperial China and the woollen sails of Viking longboats to the Indian calicoes and chintzes that powered the Industrial Revolution (and sparked more than one war); arriving finally at the lab-blended fibres that have allowed astronauts to moonwalk -- fabrics, manmade and natural, have changed and shaped the world we live in.

In twelve fascinating chapters, Kassia St Clair lays out an alternative history of civilisation and human creativity. Wittily written and compellingly argued, this book will change the way you see the world.

©2018 Kassia St Clair (P)2018 Hodder & Stoughton Limited Art World Ancient History Middle Ages Ancient Egypt War China Mummy Steampunk Africa Middle East
All stars
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loved it. Well written, if not a little passive aggressive haha. incredibly well researched and full of whimsy.

enchanting

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loved it, very informative and well presented. Would highly recommend for anyone interested in textile archaeology, history and technology

Thoroughly interesting

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This was an enjoyable book to listen to and a really interesting journey through the history of textiles.

Enjoyable

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I really enjoyed this ,it was great to listen to as a sewed the hours away .The older I get the more I realise “I know nothing “.I recommend this for any lover of fabric ,and I know there’s millions of us .

Audio joy for sewing

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Loved the content of this well researched book. Such a disappointment about the reader. A constant nervousness in tone always gave you the impression she was going to burst into tears at any moment. Such a shame. Still it will make me buy the book and never listen to the audio again. Do love the author.

Great content, terrible voice over.

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