{"title":"Virginia Postrel","description":"\u003cp\u003eVirginia Postrel is a distinguished author known for her insightful explorations into the interwoven threads of history, technology, and culture. With a unique flair for making complex subjects accessible to a wide audience, she skilfully unravels the intricate tapestry of human innovation and progress.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHer compelling book, \u003cem\u003eThe Fabric of Civilization\u003c\/em\u003e, takes readers on a fascinating journey through the history of textiles, revealing how this essential element of daily life has shaped human civilization. This book is a testament to Postrel's ability to weave together storytelling and scholarly research, offering educational yet engaging narratives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you're a history enthusiast or simply curious about the forces that have shaped our world, Virginia Postrel's works will provide you with a fresh perspective on the industrious spirit that drives human advancement. Her books, often residing in the History \u0026amp; Military category, promise to enrich your understanding of how everyday materials influence the grand tapestry of human history.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-fabric-of-civilization-by-virginia-postrel-9781541617629","title":"The Fabric of Civilization","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe story of humanity is the story of textiles—as old as civilisation itself. Textiles created empires and powered invention. They established trade routes and drew nations' borders. Since the first thread was spun, fabric has driven technology, business, politics, and culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eThe Fabric of Civilization\u003c\/i\u003e, Virginia Postrel traces this surprising history, exposing the hidden ways textiles have made our world. The origins of chemistry lie in the colouring and finishing of cloth. The beginning of binary code—and perhaps all of mathematics—is found in weaving. Selective breeding to produce fibres heralded the birth of agriculture. The belt drive came from silk production. So did microbiology. The textile business funded the Italian Renaissance and the Mughal Empire; it left us double-entry bookkeeping and letters of credit, the David and the Taj Mahal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the Minoans who exported woollen cloth coloured with precious purple dye to Egypt, to the Romans who wore wildly expensive Chinese silk, the trade and production of textiles paved the economic and cultural crossroads of the ancient world. As much as spices or gold, the quest for fabrics and dyes drew sailors across strange seas, creating an ever-more connected global economy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSynthesising groundbreaking research from economics, archaeology, and anthropology, Postrel weaves a rich tapestry of human cultural development.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Ingram Book Company","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46850040398060,"sku":"9781541617629","price":34.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/24254853482736.jpg?v=1759077042"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/virginia-postrel.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}