Threads of Life: A History of the World Through the Eye of a Needle
£9.20£10.40 (-12%)
**SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER** **RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK** **WATERSTONES SCOTTISH BOOK OF THE MONTH**
‘An astonishing feat’
Christina Patterson, Sunday Times
‘An inspiring and moving sideways look at history’
Eithne Farry, Sunday Express
An eloquent blend of history and memoir, Threads of Life is an evocative and moving book about the need we all have to tell our story.
From political propaganda in medieval France to secret treason in Tudor England, from the mothers of the desaparecidos in Argentina to First World War soldiers with PTSD, from a POW camp in Singapore to a family attic in Scotland, Threads of Life is a global chronicle of identity, protest, memory and politics.
Banner-maker, community textile artist and textile curator Clare Hunter chronicles the stories of the men and women, over centuries and across continents, who have used the language of sewing to make their voices heard, even in the most desperate of circumstances.
‘A beautifully considered book… Clare Hunter has managed to mix the personal with the political with moving results.’ TRACY CHEVALIER
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Additional information
| Publisher | Sceptre, 1st. Paperback Edition (5 Mar. 2020) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 320 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1473687934 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1473687936 |
| Dimensions | 12.8 x 2.4 x 19.6 cm |
by LV
This is an incredible, well research and far reaching books, full of fascinating facts and historical information. I learnt so much it opened my eyes, one example is that it completely changed how I look at one of my favorite classic films (Bride of Frankenstein) after learning about one of the actor’s career and work in embroidery.
I cannot recommend it enough
by J. Elliott
I’m really torn about this book.
I love the subject matter and Ms Hunter clearly loves her topic and has a lot of experience of textile practice. Her love for needlework and the women shaped by it is clear. However, there are 2 really glaring problems with it, already raised by reviewers.
Firstly, there are historical inaccuracies. In the section on the Bayeux Tapestry, she talks all the time about the English conflict with France. If she’s been to Bayeux as she says and if she’d read any of the 4 books on the tapestry listed in the bibliography she would know that France as a kingdom didn’t exist in 1066 and that England was in conflict with Normandy. William was the Duke of Normandy. Even if Ms Slater failed to pick up on this, you would think that a decent editor would have done so. Also, in the section about Mary Queen of Scots she talks about Mary learning to “sing virginals” at the French court! I’m assuming she means madrigals- the virginals is a musical instrument, rather like a harpsichord. Again, something a decent editor should have picked up. There are other historical errors bought about, I think, because she has tried to simplify background history to give her main points context.
Whilst these may seem like small points to some, the fact that she got these things wrong made me suspicious of other things she was writing about, things I didn’t know about myself. If she got things I knew about wrong, how could I trust that she was properly informing me about other things of which I had no prior knowledge?
The second problem for me was the lack of photographs, as others have pointed out. Ms Slater spends paragraph after paragraph describing (sometimes in rather purple prose) a banner, an embroidery or textile picture whereas a photograph would have been a far better option. To put a list of websites at the back, suggesting her readers search them for the examples she sites just isn’t good enough.
But for all that, I did keep reading till the end. Frustrating as it was in places, it covered a big topic in an interesting way and I enjoyed the autobiographical pieces which helped to explain Ms Slater’s viewpoint on the subject of needlework and it’s importance.
by Amazon Customer
I loved this book. It made me smile and cry In equal measures. I bought it because I am a seamstress but actually it is so much more far reaching than this.
by AnnR
A really interesting and fascinating research into sewing and it’s uses.
Only 4 stars as it could have really been enhanced with photos, etc.
A missed opportunity.
by Farah Mendlesohn
it is appallingly mis subtitled.
Threads of Life: Rebellion, Resistance and Survival and the role of needlework, would be closer.
Prepare to sob.
by Landgirl
The book offers history not just for textilians–lovers of textiles and crafters–but also for anyone with an interest in social history, cultural anthropology, or information systems. Organising the book by topics representing how textiles have been used made it both accessible and allowed for making connections across cultures and periods for relevance to broader readership.
It would be impossible to have all the illustrations in ths book in the detail that would be necessary to do justice to the content. The links at the back of the book to online sources is a good compromise.
As someone who celebrates Knit in Public day and has the good fortune to craft along with excellent needlewomen and patchwork quilters, I found the writing about the virtues of sewing and embroidery for reclaiming our feminist history repetitive and counterproductive. To label it as women’s work seems to belie the main point–textiles–the making, wearing, collecting, cherishing, remembering, teaching belongs to us all.
by joani
I really enjoyed this book – usually read it on my journey to work. Lots of interesting stories and facts surrounding sewing and embroidery throughout time. Particularly how it’s designation and denegration as women’s work’ was it’s strength and it’s downfall at various times throughout history. Well written, enjoyable read.
by georgina ward
Great read