Empire of Things

"Magnificent ...groundbreaking ...a triumph," writes Peter Frankopan, known for The Silk Roads. Gerard DeGroot from The Times describes it as "a masterpiece, a delight to read ...a rare and beautiful thing." In today's world, what we consume largely defines us; our economies thrive or collapse based on spending habits, individuals are often seen more as consumers than as workers, and public services are increasingly presented like products in a store. Renowned historian Frank Trentmann, in his comprehensive study, delves into the fascinating history that has shaped our material-centric society. From the late Ming Dynasty in China and Renaissance Italy to the British Empire and today's global landscape, "Empire of Things" presents a sweeping and meticulously detailed narrative. The book examines our journey to living amidst an abundance of material goods, how this has altered historical trajectories, and the worldwide issues prompted by such changes. John Preston of the Daily Mail remarked, "I read Empire of Things with unflagging fascination ...elegant, adventurous and colourful ...gleefully provocative." Dominic Sandbrook from the Sunday Times adds, "Such a pleasure to read ...From Victorian department stores to modernist kitchens, his book revels in the things that most historians tend to overlook."