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Love; A Curious History
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Check link for latest rating. ( 53 ratings, 8 reviews)
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Format: Hardback
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Love; A Curious History
$5900
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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?
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Description
‘Edward Brooke-Hitching's delightful book is a collection of curiosities. From a 19th-century lonely hearts ad to a nuptial blessing of the bride’s buttocks, an entertaining history of love over the millennia that proves when it comes to the heart, little has changed.’ Daily Mail
From the author of the critically acclaimed The Phantom Atlas and The Madman’s Library (Sunday Times Literature Book of the Year) comes a magnificent new illustrated work. From prehistoric carvings and ancient Egyptian statues, to medieval spell books and Victorian code-writing, this unique collection gathers a wealth of curious objects and surprising stories to trace the story of love through the ages.
Discover the royal marriage that crossed the boundary of death in 14th-century Portugal, the judicial duels between husbands and wives in Early Modern Europe, the love spells found in medieval manuscripts, and the romantic codes hidden in some of art’s greatest masterpieces. Meet the feared ancient Greek army regiment comprised entirely of male couples; the French pirate queen avenging her murdered husband; the first woman to sail around the world; and the quack sexologist who conned 18th-century London with his musical mechanical bed. Here are ancient gods, mythical monsters, the Elizabethan portraits of smiling men on fire and the erotic paintings hidden beneath the ash of Pompeii, as well as Nigerian wedding chains, Welsh love spoons, cryptic postcards and the centuries-old cartographic tradition of mapping the heart.
A curiosity cabinet of romantic treasure, Love: A Curious History in 50 Objects draws on a wide range of sources to form a collection perfect for fans of beautiful illustrated works and curious history, while also forming the ideal romantic gift.
‘In his new book, Edward Brooke-Hitching sets out to explore this mysterious emotion. Throughout this lusciously produced volume, he dissects a range of weird and wonderful objects that illustrate the diverse ways by which humans have expressed their loves and lusts.’ BBC History Magazine
‘A glorious cornucopia of a book, celebrating love from the hilarious to the divine - as always, Brooke-Hitching's encyclopaedic knowledge shines through.’ Fern Riddell, author Sex: Lessons From History
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?
Love; A Curious History by Edward Brooke-Hitching is praised for its entertaining collection of curiosities that explore the history of love across the ages. The book is described as a delightfully crafted exploration of various bizarre and fascinating ways people have expressed love and lust, presenting an engaging journey through time.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781398522718
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 26 October 2023
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Simon & Schuster Ltd
Illustration: Full Colour Throughout
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 189.0mm
Height: 246.0mm
Weight: 250g
Pages: 256
About the Author
Edward Brooke-Hitching is the author of The Madman’s Gallery, The Devil’s Atlas (2021), The Madman’s Library (2020), The Sky Atlas (2019), The Golden Atlas (2018), The Phantom Atlas (2016), and Fox Tossing, Octopus Wrestling and Other Forgotten Sports (2015). A collector of curiosities and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, Edward worked as a scriptwriter and factfinder for the hit BBC television series QI before leaving to write books full-time. He lives in a dusty heap of old paintings, maps and books in Berkshire with his labrador Annie Jump Canon.
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