Fabric: The Hidden History of the Material World
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Fabric: The Hidden History of the Material World Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Victoria Finlay (Author), Carla Kissane (Narrator), Tantor Audio (Publisher)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 218 ratings
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A magnificent work of original research that unravels history through textiles and cloth—how we make it, use it, and what it means to us.

How is a handmade fabric helping save an ancient forest? Why is a famous fabric pattern from India best known by the name of a Scottish town? How is a Chinese dragon robe a diagram of the whole universe? What is the difference between how the Greek Fates and the Viking Norns used threads to tell our destiny?

In Fabric, bestselling author Victoria Finlay spins us round the globe, weaving stories of our relationship with cloth and asking how and why people through the ages have made it, worn it, invented it, and made symbols out of it. And sometimes why they have fought for it.

She beats the inner bark of trees into cloth in Papua New Guinea, fails to handspin cotton in Guatemala, visits tweed weavers at their homes in Harris, and has lessons in patchwork-making in Gee's Bend, Alabama.

She began her research just after the deaths of both her parents—and entwined in the threads she found her personal story, too. Fabric is not just a material history of our world, but Finlay's own journey through grief and recovery.

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  1. Listening Length
    17 hours and 30 minutes
  2. Author
    Victoria Finlay
  3. Narrator
    Carla Kissane
  4. Audible release date
    July 19, 2022
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Tantor Audio
  7. ASIN
    B0B6WTRJDP
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 17 hours and 30 minutes
Author Victoria Finlay
Narrator Carla Kissane
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date July 19, 2022
Publisher Tantor Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B0B6WTRJDP
Best Sellers Rank #139,240 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#109 in Art History & Criticism (Audible Books & Originals)
#485 in Textile & Costume (Books)
#3,643 in Art History (Books)

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
218 global ratings
Callahan’s Books Review
5 Stars
Callahan’s Books Review
For my marbles, the most ambitious books are those that attempt to tell the story of something impossibly large. I love the chutzpah of an author who looks at a Godzilla topic and says “yeah let me toss a lasso ‘round that.” Good luck!But why shouldn’t Victoria Finlay craft the history of fabric into an enlightening book for a mainstream audience? We already know she’s good with a lasso. In her book “Color: A Natural History of the Palette” Finlay tackled a subject so familiar that one may never have considered it to have a life of its own. The genius is in first recognizing the historical significance of color — and now fabric — and then delighting readers with vivid details from a dramatic historical canon. ‘Fabric’ takes you around the world to see how & why different cultures developed unique textiles, and what consequences were spawned from these preferences. From antiquity to the industrial revolution; from Alabama to Guatemala, you might feel like Phileas Fogg (or Bill & Ted!) turning pages through time and space. The deeply researched travelogue aspect of ‘Fabric’ was great, but anticipated. The author’s openness in writing about the loss of her parents was unexpected and added a sadly relatable layer to her story. Suffering this bereavement shortly before work on the book began in earnest, Finlay’s personal journey through grief gave ‘Fabric’ a rich human texture. Not only did she lasso another Godzilla of a topic: she did it with a broken heart.
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Top reviews from the United States

JudyH
5.0 out of 5 stars Worth reading
Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2024
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A very detailed work covering all kinds of fabric from barkcloth to modern synthetic fabrics. The author weaves her own story in also .
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dogsmomma
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Wonderful Read!
Reviewed in the United States on February 29, 2024
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I have read several books on the history of yarns and fabrics and this one is exceptional. Not only does she give an interesting history but it is so much more than that. She shares her personal experiences with traveling around the world and talking to the people who produce these items. You feel like you are there with her as she describes the people, places and fabrics. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
One person found this helpful
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k h.
5.0 out of 5 stars A new look at fabrics
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2023
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This is the perfect gift for my sister-in-law. As expected, she loves it.
One person found this helpful
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Talie Bocci
5.0 out of 5 stars Convenient, quick, true
Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2023
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The item was as described, and the delivery time was adequate. Would purchase from this seller again.
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Ag
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for anyone using fabric
Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2023
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All I can say is it is a must read for anyone who uses fabric for sewing, quilting, etc. Very easy and fascinating read. Have also listened this in an audio form. History and fabrics. Love this book!
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ic1
5.0 out of 5 stars Masterly woven
Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2023
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Victoria Finlay weaves a trove of first-hand observations, mythological, historical, and technological facts about all types of threads and fabrics into the warp of her love for her parents and the grief of losing them (what a wonderful tribute), the end result being a marvelously information-rich, yet deeply moving book.
I loved “Color”, enjoyed “Jewels”, but “Fabric” is her best one yet.
7 people found this helpful
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pegipeggy
5.0 out of 5 stars Everything you ever wanted to know about Fabric
Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2022
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Fabulous book. The history of fabrics by type, from bark cloth to silk. Engaging writing style. I plan to read her book on color next. If you can remember the fascinating details, you'll be a conversational hit at the next cocktail party! you attend.
8 people found this helpful
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kriking
3.0 out of 5 stars Cheaply made
Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2022
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I love Victoria's books and the other books of hers that I own are paperback, as well, but they're much better quality. Everything about this book is cheaply made. The cover and paper are very thin and just poor quality. I expected better. Returned it and will see about getting a used hardback instead.
11 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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RHA
4.0 out of 5 stars Prachtig boek, jammer genoeg beschadigd aangekomen
Reviewed in the Netherlands on July 6, 2023
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Een prachtig boek dat jammer genoeg beschadigd is aangekomen. Een hoek was kromgebogen en dat lukt alleen maar als er met het boek gegooid wordt. Ook aan de onderzijde zat een buts. De verpakking was niet beschadigd dus is het vóór het verpakken al gebeurd. Alles bij elkaar nog steeds een koopje, een ster minder vanwege de beschadigingen.
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RectoryRose
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 10, 2023
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Am really enjoying this book. Have learnt so much from it.
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Tellus
5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific , informative social document with lovely personal touch
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 3, 2022
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I found this book fascinating . Victoria Finlay unpicks through each individual chapter relating to a specific fabric, the cultural , economic, scientific, and causes and effects on society and at the same telks a very personal story about her parents
2 people found this helpful
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Andrew P
4.0 out of 5 stars great gift
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 11, 2022
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apparently it was good
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mimi2mg8
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 30, 2022
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Second hand review. Bought for a friend who is a seamstress and craft enthusiast. She explores fabric and vintage clothing shops to find the perfect fabric. She loves the book, it is superbly researched and informative.
2 people found this helpful
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