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The Pocket

A Hidden History of Women's Lives, 1660–1900
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( 328 ratings, 62 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Pocket by Ariane Fennetaux and Barbara Burman is an intriguing exploration of the historical significance of women's pockets from the 17th to the 19th century. The authors delve into how these often overlooked fashion accessories reflected and influenced social norms, personal privacy, and gender roles. Through rich and detailed analysis, the book unveils the cultural narratives and daily lives of the women who wore them.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$4799
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you're fascinated by the intersection of fashion and social history, as it delves into how a simple accessory reveals much about the everyday lives of women in the past. Through detailed exploration, you’ll discover intriguing insights into how this often-overlooked item transformed from a practical tool to a significant cultural element within the landscape of arts and culture.

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A New York Times Best Art Book of 2019

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A New York Times Best Art Book of 2019

“A riveting book . . . few stones are left unturned.”—Roberta Smith’s “Top Art Books of 2019,” The New York Times

This fascinating and enlightening study of the tie-on pocket combines materiality and gender to provide new insight into the social history of women’s everyday lives—from duchesses and country gentry to prostitutes and washerwomen—and explores their consumption practices, sociability, mobility, privacy, and identity. A wealth of evidence reveals unexpected facets of the past, bringing women’s stories into intimate focus.

“What particularly interests Burman and Fennetaux is the way in which women of all classes have historically used these tie-on pockets as a supplementary body part to help them negotiate their way through a world that was not built to suit them.”—Kathryn Hughes, The Guardian

“A brilliant book.”—Ulinka Rublack, Times Literary Supplement

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Pocket by Ariane Fennetaux and Barbara Burman is celebrated as a thoroughly researched exploration of women’s history viewed through the lens of the tie-on pocket. Critics have highlighted its captivating blend of art, literature, and social history, acknowledging how the authors transform a seemingly simple accessory into a profound cultural artefact. The book's insightful analysis reveals the significant role these pockets played in reflecting women’s lived experiences and societal roles, underlining its importance as an academic yet accessible contribution to the understanding of gender and material culture.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780300253740

Publisher: Yale University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 12 May 2020

Country: United States

Imprint: Yale University Press

Illustration: 200 color illus.

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Width: 175.0mm

Height: 235.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 264

About the Author

Barbara Burman is an independent scholar, and Ariane Fennetaux is associate professor of eighteenth-century history at the Université de Paris.

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