The Blue Jean Book: The Story Behind the Seams (Hardcover)

by Tanya Lloyd Kyi (Author)
Key Phrases: riveted pants, jeans makers, jeans companies, Levi Strauss, United States, San Francisco (more...)

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

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Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• 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 (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #562,447 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 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 (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.