Traces the stories of one hundred human innovations to explain their pivotal role in shaping civilization, from weapons and the domestication of cows to currency and music.

"In these deeply researched essays, a Paris Review contributor blends science, history, and memoir to explore human obsession with gorgeous things, exposing the fraught histories of makeup, silk, jewels, perfume, and other objects, helping readers to ethically partake in the beauty of the world around them." --

"On his regular walk one morning, Spike Carlsen realized there was an entire world outside his front door that he knew nothing about. How does that fire hydrant work, he wondered? Why are street lights shining more brightly than ever before? And, on a more personal level, why does an easy stroll around the neighborhood always leave him feeling more creative and spry, better able to take on the day? A simple walk around the block set Carlsen off on...

"This is a neglected history. Not a sweeping, definitive, exhaustive history of the world but something quieter, more intimate and particular. A single journey, picked out in 101 objects, through the fascinating, too-often-overlooked, manifold histories of women. With engaging prose, compelling stories, and a beautiful full-page image of each object, Annabelle Hirsch curates a diverse compendium of women and their things, uncovering the thoughts and...

Tells the story of World War I through one hundred events and developments, each of which is visualized through an object or artifact drawn in large part from the collections of the Imperial War Museums in the United Kingdom.

"The importance of archaeological artifacts is explored in this fascinating book, full of real-life examples and photographs of objects and buildings that have been discovered. Readers will learn how artifacts of previous cultures, both near and far, help us learn more about the lives of people who lived before us, and help us understand ourselves better, too. Difficult words are explained in vocabulary boxes, and readers are encouraged to use their...

Native American art encompasses a multitude of crafts, including rugs, baskets, pottery, and wood carvings. Creativity had no limits in native America. Fortunately, many artifacts and remnants exist which showcase the boundless ingenuity of past as well as modern-day artists, who continue the time-honored traditions of their people. This valuable volume, a support to cultural studies, highlights stunning artwork of various native peoples, accompanied...