Reviews
A History of the World in 100 Objects was such a unique, fun, informative way to kick of not just a new year but a new decade. Unfortunately 2020 has proven itself to be a dumpster fire in almost every way, but I’m incredibly grateful for my co-bloggers, who are not only lovely people but my very best friends. We talk every single day, and even though I might never meet them face to face, these relationships are the most important I have outside of my family. TS sent both Emma and myself a copy of this book, and we three decided to read it together over the course of 100 days. It was such a lovely experience to share across continents. When it comes history, I view it very much in the same vein I view my Novel Notions friendships: I might never get to experience these events and locations myself, but I can connect with them through the marvels of modern technology and the thoughts written by others to be shared with the world. I might never make it to the British Museum but, through this book, I am able to admire 100 of the objects that live there, and gain insight both into the objects and what they say about the cultures they represent and the world at large through MacGregor’s careful research and philosophical examination, as well as the thoughtful interviews he conducted and included in this book. MacGregor did a wonderful job of balancing scholarship and storytelling. He raised a lot of profound questions. And he did all of this while carefully including as many historically important eras and events as possible, as well as representing as wide a swatch of the globe as he could manage. Something I very much appreciated was his inclusion of the mundane among the precious, the balance of everyday and extraordinary he was able to strike. Reading this book with TS and Emma was a wonderful experience. I appreciate MacGregor giving us an avenue by which we were able to travel the world together.
