The Dirt on Clean: An Unsanitized History
2 journalers for this copy...
I got this fair-condition hardcover from Better World Books, another "biography of things". It's about the concept of cleanliness, as practiced throughout history - and has a lot to say about perceptions of cleanliness from esthetic, healthful, and even moral viewpoints. It highlights the fairly recent developments in typical American ideas of proper grooming - many of which were explicitly conjured up by marketing (surprise!), has some entertaining historical anecdotes, and in general is a lot of fun.
Sadly, the book focuses on Western culture, admitting up front that it "only glances" at oriental cultures and their habits, and even then mostly from the viewpoint of Westerners who've encountered their cultures. But there's still plenty here to inform and amuse.
The book's studded with sidebar notes, some of which are vastly entertaining. This is the kind of book that makes me want to go Googling for more on many different topics - and that's a good thing!
Soap ads, sacred shrines, cultural taboos, the development of plumbing, scratch-and-sniff body odor scents... what's not to like about this book? {grin}
Sadly, the book focuses on Western culture, admitting up front that it "only glances" at oriental cultures and their habits, and even then mostly from the viewpoint of Westerners who've encountered their cultures. But there's still plenty here to inform and amuse.
The book's studded with sidebar notes, some of which are vastly entertaining. This is the kind of book that makes me want to go Googling for more on many different topics - and that's a good thing!
Soap ads, sacred shrines, cultural taboos, the development of plumbing, scratch-and-sniff body odor scents... what's not to like about this book? {grin}
I'm adding this book to the Biographies of Things bookbox, which will be on its way to its next stop soon. Hope someone enjoys it!
Taken from the Biographies of Things box with thanks: this one was on my wishlist. :D