Pegasus Books
Hair : A Human History
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Hair
Author(s): Kurt Stenn
A microhistory in the vein of Salt and Cod exploring the biological, evolutionary, and cultural history of one of the world's most fascinating fibers.
Most people don't give a second thought to the stuff on their head, but hair has played a crucial role in in fashion, the arts, sports, commerce, forensics, and industry. In Hair, Kurt Stenn — one of the world's foremost hair follicle experts — takes readers on global journey through history, from fur merchant associations and sheep farms to medical clinics and patient support groups, to show the remarkable impact hair has had on human life.
From a completely bald beauty queen with alopecia to the famed hair-hang circus act, Stenn weaves the history of hair through a variety of captivating examples, with sources varying from renaissance merchants’ diaries to interviews with wig makers, modern barbers, and more. In addition to expelling the biological basis and the evolutionary history of hair, the fiber is put into context: hair in history (as tied to textile mills and merchant associations), hair as a construct for cultural and self-identity, hair in the arts (as the material for artist's brushes and musical instruments), hair as commodity (used for everything from the inner lining of tennis balls to an absorbent to clean up oil spills), and hair as evidence in criminology.
Perfect for fans of Mark Kurlansky, Hair is a compelling read based solidly in historical and scientific research that will delight any reader who wants to know more about the world around them.
Review(s):
"Kurt Stenn, a scientist who has studied hair for the past three decades, proves in this lively new book that even the lowliest whisker merits attention. He’s a clear and enthusiastic explainer of follicles and shafts, the genes and growth patterns behind our fur, and all the strange things that can go wrong."
"An edifying look at the biology, physiology, and history of hair. A spirited, informative history of a fascinating fiber."
"Ask a woman about her hair, and she just might tell you the story of her life. Ask Kurt Stenn, author of this lively history, and he'll explain the origins and science of hair in terrifically readable stories. The more I learn about hair, the more I'm convinced that studying it is a doorway into learning about everything that matters—where we come from, where we might be going, and why we're so unbelievably obsessed with our hair."
"Stenn jams an encyclopedia’s worth of material into a mere 256 pages. Stenn manages to convey a sense of wonder for a seemingly mundane material so tough, so strong and so versatile that it can be used for virtually anything."
"Stenn explores the intricacies of hair from biological, anthropological, and cultural perspectives, developing a well-rounded overview of a seemingly obtuse subject. An excellent layperson's introduction to the vast and compelling story of hair."
"Kurt Stenn unravels the physical and social marvels of hair, demonstrating the myriad ways in which hair of all sorts is essential to our health and happiness. The story of hair reveals more about our past, present and future as human beings than we commonly realize, and Stenn’s fast-paced and clear-sighted tour of science, history, and present-day society will give the reader a fresh appreciation for something so common and yet so wonderful."
"A well-researched, clearly-told, and entertaining account of the biological, evolutionary, historical, sociological, and aesthetic aspects of hair."
"I absolutely reveled in Kurt Stenn’s magnificent book. It's the best-researched, best-written and most entertaining compendium I’ve read on the subject. In clear, crisp prose, Dr. Stenn tells the story of hair through a wonderfully calibrated prism of history, art, culture, society, industry and science. I recommend it for anyone who has—or remembers having—hair."
"A fascinating work packed with scholarly research [and] full of weird facts."
"A good read for those who enjoy a little history with their science, or some science with their history. A good introduction"
"In Hair, Kurt Stenn establishes himself as the poet laureate of hair. He weaves brightly colored illuminating and enticing yarns that encompass the universe of hair—from barbering and wig-making to the use of the fiber in paint brushes and musical instruments to the detailed and fascinating biology of hair formation and hair disease. The warp and weft of his interests sparkles and delights."
"As a biologist, I enjoy books like Hair that shine a light into the murky corners of the human experience. Professor Stenn, a world authority on hair, is also a great storyteller. Hair is a treasure trove of information, some of which will set your hair on end. A good book that is clear, concise, and well-thought-out."
"Hair comes from an expert on hair who provides a fun global romp through history discussing various aspects of hair. Highly recommended for any interested in the evolution and culture of hair."
"If you think you know everything about hair, you are in for a surprise. Stenn uses this seemingly mundane subject to weave a splendid tapestry, shimmering with fascinating stories from all aspects of life. After reading this book, you'll admire the wonder of your hair even on a bad hair day."
"Thoroughly researched and thoroughly enjoyable, encompassing not only human hair of the head but of the chin and body too (not to mention sheep's wool, beaver fur, wig-making and wearing, perming, dyeing and curling). Everything we have ever done to, or with, our hair is here."
ISBN: 9781605989556
Author(s): Kurt Stenn
A microhistory in the vein of Salt and Cod exploring the biological, evolutionary, and cultural history of one of the world's most fascinating fibers.
Most people don't give a second thought to the stuff on their head, but hair has played a crucial role in in fashion, the arts, sports, commerce, forensics, and industry. In Hair, Kurt Stenn — one of the world's foremost hair follicle experts — takes readers on global journey through history, from fur merchant associations and sheep farms to medical clinics and patient support groups, to show the remarkable impact hair has had on human life.
From a completely bald beauty queen with alopecia to the famed hair-hang circus act, Stenn weaves the history of hair through a variety of captivating examples, with sources varying from renaissance merchants’ diaries to interviews with wig makers, modern barbers, and more. In addition to expelling the biological basis and the evolutionary history of hair, the fiber is put into context: hair in history (as tied to textile mills and merchant associations), hair as a construct for cultural and self-identity, hair in the arts (as the material for artist's brushes and musical instruments), hair as commodity (used for everything from the inner lining of tennis balls to an absorbent to clean up oil spills), and hair as evidence in criminology.
Perfect for fans of Mark Kurlansky, Hair is a compelling read based solidly in historical and scientific research that will delight any reader who wants to know more about the world around them.
Review(s):
"Kurt Stenn, a scientist who has studied hair for the past three decades, proves in this lively new book that even the lowliest whisker merits attention. He’s a clear and enthusiastic explainer of follicles and shafts, the genes and growth patterns behind our fur, and all the strange things that can go wrong."
"An edifying look at the biology, physiology, and history of hair. A spirited, informative history of a fascinating fiber."
"Ask a woman about her hair, and she just might tell you the story of her life. Ask Kurt Stenn, author of this lively history, and he'll explain the origins and science of hair in terrifically readable stories. The more I learn about hair, the more I'm convinced that studying it is a doorway into learning about everything that matters—where we come from, where we might be going, and why we're so unbelievably obsessed with our hair."
"Stenn jams an encyclopedia’s worth of material into a mere 256 pages. Stenn manages to convey a sense of wonder for a seemingly mundane material so tough, so strong and so versatile that it can be used for virtually anything."
"Stenn explores the intricacies of hair from biological, anthropological, and cultural perspectives, developing a well-rounded overview of a seemingly obtuse subject. An excellent layperson's introduction to the vast and compelling story of hair."
"Kurt Stenn unravels the physical and social marvels of hair, demonstrating the myriad ways in which hair of all sorts is essential to our health and happiness. The story of hair reveals more about our past, present and future as human beings than we commonly realize, and Stenn’s fast-paced and clear-sighted tour of science, history, and present-day society will give the reader a fresh appreciation for something so common and yet so wonderful."
"A well-researched, clearly-told, and entertaining account of the biological, evolutionary, historical, sociological, and aesthetic aspects of hair."
"I absolutely reveled in Kurt Stenn’s magnificent book. It's the best-researched, best-written and most entertaining compendium I’ve read on the subject. In clear, crisp prose, Dr. Stenn tells the story of hair through a wonderfully calibrated prism of history, art, culture, society, industry and science. I recommend it for anyone who has—or remembers having—hair."
"A fascinating work packed with scholarly research [and] full of weird facts."
"A good read for those who enjoy a little history with their science, or some science with their history. A good introduction"
"In Hair, Kurt Stenn establishes himself as the poet laureate of hair. He weaves brightly colored illuminating and enticing yarns that encompass the universe of hair—from barbering and wig-making to the use of the fiber in paint brushes and musical instruments to the detailed and fascinating biology of hair formation and hair disease. The warp and weft of his interests sparkles and delights."
"As a biologist, I enjoy books like Hair that shine a light into the murky corners of the human experience. Professor Stenn, a world authority on hair, is also a great storyteller. Hair is a treasure trove of information, some of which will set your hair on end. A good book that is clear, concise, and well-thought-out."
"Hair comes from an expert on hair who provides a fun global romp through history discussing various aspects of hair. Highly recommended for any interested in the evolution and culture of hair."
"If you think you know everything about hair, you are in for a surprise. Stenn uses this seemingly mundane subject to weave a splendid tapestry, shimmering with fascinating stories from all aspects of life. After reading this book, you'll admire the wonder of your hair even on a bad hair day."
"Thoroughly researched and thoroughly enjoyable, encompassing not only human hair of the head but of the chin and body too (not to mention sheep's wool, beaver fur, wig-making and wearing, perming, dyeing and curling). Everything we have ever done to, or with, our hair is here."
ISBN: 9781605989556