A fascinating history of…[a craft] that preceded and made possible civilization itself. ―New York Times Book Review New discoveries about the textile arts reveal women's unexpectedly influential role in ancient societies. Twenty thousand years ago; women were making and wearing the first clothing created from spun fibers. In fact; right up to the Industrial Revolution the fiber arts were an enormous economic force; belonging primarily to women. Despite the great toil required in making cloth and clothing; most books on ancient history and economics have no information on them. Much of this gap results from the extreme perishability of what women produced; but it seems clear that until now descriptions of prehistoric and early historic cultures have omitted virtually half the picture. Elizabeth Wayland Barber has drawn from data gathered by the most sophisticated new archaeological methods―methods she herself helped to fashion. In a "brilliantly original book" (Katha Pollitt; Washington Post Book World); she argues that women were a powerful economic force in the ancient world; with their own industry: fabric.
#44876 in Books Peter Hayes 2017-01-17 2017-01-17Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.50 x 1.40 x 6.50l; .0 #File Name: 0393254364432 pagesWhy Explaining the Holocaust
Review
52 of 52 people found the following review helpful. Engrossing; wide-ranging; and authoritative answers to the most-asked questions about the HolocaustBy Voltaire MiranOne of the signature strengths of this book is its construction. Each of the eight chapters addresses one of the most-asked questions about the Holocaust — Why the Jews? Why the Germans? Why murder? Why this swift and sweeping? Why didn’t Jews fight back more often? Why did survival rates diverge? Why such limited help from outside? What legacies; what lessons?The result of this approach is an explanation both broad and deep. Anchored in rigorous scholarship and punctuated with human narratives; the book makes understandable the incomprehensible.As a member of the general reading public; I’m grateful that this book neither condescends nor complicates. The author is clear in his presentation of information; concise in his style; and compelling in his arguments and conclusions. The book shattered a number of my personal misconceptions and gave me a greater understanding of the political; geographical; cultural; and ideological underpinnings of the Holocaust. Given the current political climate in the our country; the lessons and legacies Dr. Hayes identifies are particularly poignant — we must mind the beginnings.Fellow classmates at Northwestern University during my undergraduate years describe Dr. Hayes as legendary. He was so popular; in fact; that his classes were nigh impossible to get into. This books shows why.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Important book on a difficult historical topicBy Jonathan MincisI really enjoyed reading this book. Professor Hayes provides an interesting perspective on a topic that is often difficult to approach based on the tragic nature of the subject. Not every question he addresses is new but he offers an intriguing analysis of such questions as why more Jews didn't fight back against their Nazi oppressors and why it is so vital to Jews and from a general historical stand point why it imperative that the evil that was perpetrated against Jews can't be forgotten. While the Nazis unquestionably murdered millions of others; special needs children; gays; Gypsies and Catholics; Professor Hayes strongly points out that only Jews were targeted for total annihilation which is why the Holocaust resonates so strongly with the Jewish community. It is an invaluable read to anyone interested in studying the topic.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A must readBy CarrieBrilliant and comprehensive analysis of how the Holocaust developed. Mr. Hayes details the perfect storm of circumstances giving rise to the Nazis and the genocide of millions. He also opines on the psychological and sociological environment that resulted in unimaginable atrocities. Parallels can be made with the political climate in the U.S. Mr. Hayes ends with the warning: "Beware the beginnings." A must read!
