The Blue Jean Book: The Story Behind the Seams [Hardcover]

Tanya Lloyd Kyi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 3, 2005

The story of denim's rise from modest workpants to high-fashion statement.

Ever since Levi Strauss made the first blue jean pants in California in the 1870s, everyone has wanted a pair. No one imagined America's love of denim would travel around the world, yet jeans remain an essential part of our lives. The Blue Jean Book chronicles this love affair.

Researchers suggest we're happiest when we're in our jeans. They express our personalities: compare the person who wears the latest designer label to someone who prefers the thrift store variety.

The Blue Jean Book takes you deep into the world of denim. Chapters include:

• The Birth of the Blues: 1870 to 1900 -- Levi Strauss and the origin of jeans
• Movers and Shakers: 1900 to 1940 -- From workpants to play pants
• Blue Jean Time Machine: 1940 to 1970 -- From WWII wear to the trademark of teen rebellion
• The Jean Scene: 1980s -- Jeans go designer
• Borderless Blues: 1990s -- The politics of pants: sweatshops, ecological impacts
• Panting for Perfection -- 21st century jeans

From their origins with hardscrabble miners and cowboys, to their popularity among laborers, rebels, and the incurably hip, The Blue Jean Book is the perfect fit for anyone who wants to know the story behind the seams.

(2006)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-10–Kyi traces the history of these pants from the early life of Levi Strauss and the patented riveted pocket to the stiff competition and controversy of production in our modern world. With many full-color and black-and-white photos and advertisements, the book gives readers an inside look at what has become an ordinary part of our lives. History and social issues are intertwined to show how activities, jobs, and the economy influence the development and production of clothing. The book covers the individuals and companies as they produced their products and kept their businesses going during the Great Depression and World War II. Readers are introduced to concepts such as supply and demand and how the country's economy affects many aspects of our lives. The final chapters discuss the social issues and injustices of sweatshop labor as well as the need to come up with new and innovative styles to keep up with competition. This is an enjoyable read for anyone wishing to know more about this fashion item and an excellent resource for an introduction to product development and economy.–Denise Moore, O'Gorman Junior High School, Sioux Falls, SD
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 6-9. This colorful book surveys the history of blue jeans as well as their many-storied intersections with our culture. Other books that consider the subject, primarily biographies of Levi Strauss, document the garment's origins in 1873, but this one continues where those leave off, explaining issues from the rise of Levi's main competitors to the marketing of jeans, which in different eras appealed to the yen for practicality, patriotism, rebellion, and sexuality. The final chapters discuss consumer pressure for fair economic and environmental practices in international garment making as well as recent trends in making and advertising jeans. A chapter-by-chapter list of sources is appended. Kyi organizes a good deal of information and communicates it clearly, though with a decidedly informal tone. With a sidebar or color illustration on nearly every page, the book has an approachable look that adds to its appeal. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 79 pages
• Publisher: Annick Press (September 3, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1550379178
• ISBN-13: 978-1550379174
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #646,083 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good History of Jeans for Middle/High Schoolers, May 8, 2007

By 

Frederick S. Goethel "wildcatcreekbooks" (Central Valley, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Blue Jean Book: The Story Behind the Seams (Hardcover)

This book is a middle school/high school age level book that looks at the history of blue jeans. It is well written, covering the history of jeans from their invention through to today's high end fashion jeans.

The history of jeans is covered in chapters that each spans several decades. In later chapters, some of the social aspect of jeans is evaluated as well, including such phenomena as smuggling into Eastern European Bloc countries during the 70s and 80s, moving of manufacturing to low wage countries, and the problems associated with boot legged jeans.

The book is copiously illustrated with photographs and reproductions of old advertising material.

This is a great book, for its intended age, at a look at the history and social facets of blue jeans. I would recommend it for any student with interest in the subject matter.

5.0 out of 5 stars Good short history!, July 7, 2011

By 

Richard R. Charron JD "Richard R. Charron" (Hartford CT, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Blue Jean Book: The Story Behind the Seams (Paperback)

The book is an excellent introduction to the subject. The material presented is accurate. There are a few historical facts with some trivia.

The book is short, so a lot of detail is lost, but if blue jeans interest the reader, this is a good starting point.