BEST BOOK EVER

I thought when I read Don Quixote by Cervantes that I'd read the best book ever written. Then I happened upon Tolstoy's War and Peace, and I thought no reading experience could ever compare. THEN, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I FOUND IT: Elaine Benson's matchless "Unmentionables: a Brief History of Underwear." The pun in the title was divine! I thought the book could never live up to its wonderfully witty title! BUT, GENTLE AUDIENCE, IT DID. And more. The title is the least enjoyable part of the book! It is terrific! Witty and informative! Truly a masterpiece to rank with the great books of the millenium.

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unmentionables

fabulous overview of the history of undergarments, both male and female. delightful photographs and artwork, as well as readability. i am happy to have purchased this book

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Not worth its salt

This book told me nothing I didn't already know. Wow, they wore CORSETS in the 19th century! Gosh, what a revelation! Actually, there was a good deal of information packed into the 72 pages, except most of it was information I already knew from my experience as a seamstress and historical connesieur. The pictures, while interesting, were uninspiring and singularly unhelpful, although that was a function of layout more than visual choice: all of the pictures are grouped at the ends of the chapters instead of scattered throughout the text (preferably next to their descriptions). In other cases, there aren't even appropriate pictures for visualization purposes. For instance, Benson talks about various undergarments such as farthingales and bustles and paniers, but there are no pictures of even the full outfit to give you an idea of what might be worn underneath. Benson talks fancy and seems to be excellent at telling you that she doesn't know a heck of a lot more than you do -- except that she's the expert.

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