The Cambridge History of Western Textiles 2 Volume Hardback Boxed Set

Description

Textiles have been essential to the everyday lives of all societies. Besides helping provide protection and warmth, they have fulfilled social, cultural, military, legal and symbolic functions, and have been an essential part of the economic activity of societies from ancient times. The Cambridge History of Western Textiles brings together and extends current knowledge on the production and uses of textiles, through the eyes of archaeologists, economic and social historians, historians of fashion and the history of dress, and museum curators familiar with surviving artefacts. The history of all the major textile industries, including wool, linen, silk, cotton and artificial fibres is explored. Processes and technical terms are explained carefully, while the role and impact of textiles in western economies and societies are examined. In sum, the book offers an authoritative account of three thousand years of the production and consumption of textiles in the western world.

David Jenkins is Senior Lecturer in Economic History in the Department of Economics and Related Studies in the University of York, and Governor and Company Secretary of the Pasold Research Fund (that promotes research and publication in the history of textiles). He has lectured in Europe, the USA and Japan and published widely on the history of textiles in the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries. He has a special interest in the wool textile industry, where his major contribution is (with K. G. Ponting) The British Wool Textile Industry, 1880-1914.

'... the book is unique in the scope of its coverage coupled with the diversity of its authorship. It is finely produced with some beautiful illustrations, clear diagrams and comprehensible tables, as well as 41 full-page colour plates ... It will be a most useful source of reference and stimulation to many.' Times Higher Education Supplement '... eminently readable ... Just to lay one's hands on this jewel of a book is a wondrous thing.' Journal for Weavers '... the wait has certainly been worthwhile ... the two volumes here represent a remarkable achievement by an international group of textile historians working in museums and universities ... The work is well-organised and scores highly on accessibility ... an outstanding feature is the large number of superb illustrations, many in colour, which enrich the text and will undoubtedly add to the appear of these volumes ... this superbly produced two-volume set is good value for money. It combines fine scholarship which will long remain an essential guide to the subject.' Business History 'This is certainly an important reference work which should be on all good library shelves and consulted by all those with historical queries concerning textiles.' Textile History ' ... a delight ...'. Irish Economic & Social History