I love the premise of A History of the World in 100 Objects. It grew out of a BBC Radio series in which 100 objects from the British Museum were painstakingly selected, described, and then their history and importance explained to the listeners. As I read each the mini-chapter dedicated to each of the items, it almost felt like I was listening to All Things Considered on NPR. Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum, and de facto author of the book (the pieces have been reprinted exactly as they were spoken on the air, so much of the text comes from others), did a fine job selected a variety of objects spanning the millennia and continents in order to create a cohesive history of man and civilization. And yet.
By the time I'd read 60 object-chapters, I was pretty much done and by the time I got to 80 I decided, even so (relatively) close to the end, that this book would be the second this year to bear the ignominious distinction "DNF." Man, it seems, hasn't really changed all that much: there were many examples of money - coins, coins, more coins, paper money, and credit cards - the standard sculptures - ranging from the Elgin Marbles of the Parthenon to one of the great, famed, stone statues of Easter Island - and a variety of religious and secular trinkets - glassware, porcelain, mirrors, and miscellaneous knickknacks. After several hundred pages, I was no longer curious about the musings of one or another expert on an obscure aspect of sociology, art history, or any other discipline. The pictures are beautiful, but I prefer my museum objects in all three dimensions.
To fully appreciate this book it is necessary to enjoy sociology, art history, and related fields more than I evidently do.
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