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A review by bookwoman1967
Worn: A People's History of Clothing by Sofi Thanhauser
3.0
Rounded up to 3.5.
Parts of this were a fantastic 5 stars. The history of clothing manufacture was fascinating (yes, actually), and its effects on today's fashion industry and the environment are absorbing and important. Organizing the book by type of fabric, the author looks at linen, cotton, silk, synthetics, and wool from their first use by humans to today. Even though I consider myself a textile artist, there was so much that I learned, and I think anyone would be surprised and interested in what is included.
Parts deserved two stars or less. And while they shouldn't keep you from reading the book, they did have me yelling out loud at the author. The last part of the book, which as a wool lover should be my favorite, was actually the most frustrating. It's a mess organizationally, with a weird tangent on denim weaving. And while she lets the people and stories make their own arguments in most of the book, she beats you over the head with her contention that all the evils in Central America come from international export zones set up by clothing manufacturers. There may be truth in some of her claims, but unlike in the rest of the book she doesn't build her argument or cite sources. And when she starts criticizing The Guardian (!) for being too gullible and conservative, you have to wonder where she's getting her information.
Be aware of this title's imperfections but read it anyway.
Parts of this were a fantastic 5 stars. The history of clothing manufacture was fascinating (yes, actually), and its effects on today's fashion industry and the environment are absorbing and important. Organizing the book by type of fabric, the author looks at linen, cotton, silk, synthetics, and wool from their first use by humans to today. Even though I consider myself a textile artist, there was so much that I learned, and I think anyone would be surprised and interested in what is included.
Parts deserved two stars or less. And while they shouldn't keep you from reading the book, they did have me yelling out loud at the author. The last part of the book, which as a wool lover should be my favorite, was actually the most frustrating. It's a mess organizationally, with a weird tangent on denim weaving. And while she lets the people and stories make their own arguments in most of the book, she beats you over the head with her contention that all the evils in Central America come from international export zones set up by clothing manufacturers. There may be truth in some of her claims, but unlike in the rest of the book she doesn't build her argument or cite sources. And when she starts criticizing The Guardian (!) for being too gullible and conservative, you have to wonder where she's getting her information.
Be aware of this title's imperfections but read it anyway.