Description
Discover the fascinating journey of spectacles in 'In the Blink of an Eye.' This brand new book, published by Reaktion Books in 2021, delves into the rich history of glasses, exploring their cultural significance and transformative power. From the green emerald used by Emperor Nero to watch gladiator contests, to Benjamin Franklin's ingenious homemade bifocals, this captivating narrative illustrates how spectacles have shaped our lives for centuries. The book highlights iconic glasses, including Marilyn Monroe's stylish cat-eyes and the beloved frames worn by literary characters like Emma Bovary and Harry Potter.
This exploration goes beyond mere fashion; it uncovers how glasses catalyzed a subtle yet profound social and economic revolution. In a world where poor eyesight was once seen as a severe handicap, glasses have turned this limitation into a manageable condition, sparking a paradigm shift towards modernity. 'In the Blink of an Eye' is not just a book about eyewear—it's a testament to how a simple pair of glasses can change lives and perceptions.
With free shipping on this item, expect your delivery within 6 weeks. Please note that once your order is placed, it cannot be canceled. Dive into the colorful history of eyewear and celebrate this vital accessory that signifies clarity in more ways than one.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9781789144635
Year: 2021
Publisher: Reaktion Books
Description:
This book examines those who wore glasses through history, art and literature, from the green emerald through which Emperor Nero watched gladiator fights to Benjamin Franklin’s homemade bifocals, and from Marilyn Monroe’s cat-eye glasses to Emma Bovary and Harry Potter.
Spectacles are objects that seem commonplace, but this book shows that because they fundamentally changed people’s lives, glasses were the wellspring of a quiet social, cultural and economic revolution. Indeed, one can argue that modernity itself began with the paradigm shift that transformed poor eyesight from a severely limiting disease, treated with pomades and tinctures, into a minor impairment that can be remedied with mechanisms constructed from lenses and wire.
This exploration goes beyond mere fashion; it uncovers how glasses catalyzed a subtle yet profound social and economic revolution. In a world where poor eyesight was once seen as a severe handicap, glasses have turned this limitation into a manageable condition, sparking a paradigm shift towards modernity. 'In the Blink of an Eye' is not just a book about eyewear—it's a testament to how a simple pair of glasses can change lives and perceptions.
With free shipping on this item, expect your delivery within 6 weeks. Please note that once your order is placed, it cannot be canceled. Dive into the colorful history of eyewear and celebrate this vital accessory that signifies clarity in more ways than one.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9781789144635
Year: 2021
Publisher: Reaktion Books
Description:
This book examines those who wore glasses through history, art and literature, from the green emerald through which Emperor Nero watched gladiator fights to Benjamin Franklin’s homemade bifocals, and from Marilyn Monroe’s cat-eye glasses to Emma Bovary and Harry Potter.
Spectacles are objects that seem commonplace, but this book shows that because they fundamentally changed people’s lives, glasses were the wellspring of a quiet social, cultural and economic revolution. Indeed, one can argue that modernity itself began with the paradigm shift that transformed poor eyesight from a severely limiting disease, treated with pomades and tinctures, into a minor impairment that can be remedied with mechanisms constructed from lenses and wire.