Textiles: 5000 Years (Hardcover)

~ Jennifer Harris (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

True to its title, this book does cover more time periods and regions of the world than are usually treated in a single-volume history of textiles. Considering this breadth of scope, the text is surprisingly detailed, though a unique procedure of first explaining textile techniques aids in understanding the separate articles. Twenty-four British experts offer a multidisciplinary survey of the development and usage of textiles in daily life, with an emphasis on costume. Over 300 glowing color photographs of some of the loveliest cloth ever made profess the impulse to create beauty, common across cultures and throughout the ages. The bibliography lists mostly British and foreign-language sources, and a museum collection list and glossary are also included. This is an appealing beginner's textbook that should delight specialists as well. Highly recommended.
- Therese D. Baker, Western Kentucky Univ. Libs., Bowling Green
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then how about over 400 illustrations? Perhaps the only fault to find with curator Harris' all-encompassing survey of global textiles is too much text, because the graphics do showcase well the history, creation, and development of cloth. On the other hand, without her words, how would readers discover that Bukhara susanis (embroidered covers) are now being used to cover TV sets? Or that natives of sub-Saharan Africa wove textile images into their myths? Aided by 24 experts and the resources of the Victoria and Albert and British museums, among others, this pricey tome is a good value for its wealth of information and ideas. Barbara Jacobs

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (September 30, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810938758
• ISBN-13: 978-0810938755
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,237,495 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars An international history and illustrated survey, August 4, 2009

By	bernie "xyzzy" (Arlington, Texas) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

Editor Jennifer Harris at the time of publication, Deputy Director and Curator of Textiles at the Whitworth Art Gallery, University of Manchester, England.

To describe this book would take a book. It covers different textiles from ancient societies to present day. There are twenty-four experts that describe not only techniques but the meaning of the art in each culture. My favorite section is the first chapter that shows different types of looms. I was a little disappointed not to find any drafts; however the book is concentrating on culture.

This book also has a list of further reading and an extensive glossary.

The color plates alone are worth the purchase price.