Title
Clean: A History Of Personal Hygiene And Purity
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In This Pioneering Book, Virginia Smith Combines Archeology, Psychology, Biology, And Sociology To Reveal How And Why Standards Of Cleanliness Have Come To Exist Today. Using Hundreds Of Firsthand Accounts And Sources, Smith Bring Us From The Neolithic Age To The Present, Peppering Her Engaging Prose With Enlightening And Often Surprising Details.Subconscious Cleanliness Has Been With Us Since The First Cell Ejected A Foreign Invader. Even At The Earliest Stages Of Human Development, Our Bodies Produced Pleasuregiving Chemical Opiates When Things Smelled Or Felt Clean, Inducing Us To Do Things Like Bathing And Removing Dirty Clothes. The Need To Be Clean Led Directly To Socialization, As We Turned To Our Fellows For Help With Those Hard To Reach Spots. In Eurasia During The Bronze Age, An Emerging Hierarchy Of Wealthy Elites Turned Their Love Of Grooming Into An Explosion Of The Cosmetic And Luxury Goods Industry, Greatly Effecting The Culture And Economy Of A Vast Area And Leading To Advances In Chemistry And Medicine.The History That Follows, From Greece And Rome, Where Citizens Focused Much Of Their Leisure Time On Perfecting, Bathing, Or Just Writing About The Model Athletic Body, Through Europe In The Middle Ages And The Following Centuries, Is Full Of Intriguing Customs, Convoluted Treatises, And Many Reversals. Baths Were Good For You, Baths Were Bad For You, Baths Were Good Againbut Only If They Were Quite Cold. Even The Enlightened Medical Knowledge Of Modern Times Could Not Stop An Onslaught Of Health Remedies, Treatments, Spas, And New Age Nature Cures That Were To Follow. While Today We Are Immeasurably Closerperhaps Too Closeto Knowing Just What Clean Means To Our Bodies, We Are Still Just As Far As We Ever Were On Agreeing What It Means To Our Souls.This Engrossing And Highly Original Work Will Introduce You To The Customs And Ideas Of A Myriad Of Cultures From Centuries Of Human History. Not Only Will You Gain A New Perspective On The Wonderful Diversity Of The World, But You'Ll Never Look At Your Toothbrush The Same Way Again.
⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65):
This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Q: How many pages does this book have? A: This book contains four hundred sixty-eight pages. It provides a detailed exploration of personal hygiene throughout history.
- Q: What is the binding type of this book? A: The book is bound in hardcover. This durable binding protects the pages and makes it suitable for repeated reading.
- Q: What are the dimensions of this book? A: The book measures seven point eight inches in length, one point four two inches in width, and five inches in height. These dimensions make it easy to handle and store.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author is Virginia Smith. She combines multiple disciplines to present a comprehensive history of cleanliness.
- Q: What themes are explored in this book? A: This book explores themes of hygiene, societal norms, and historical perspectives on cleanliness. It delves into how these concepts have evolved across cultures.
- Q: What age group is this book suitable for? A: This book is suitable for adult readers. Its in-depth analysis of personal hygiene and societal implications makes it more appropriate for mature audiences.
- Q: How can I use the information in this book? A: You can use the information to gain insights into historical and cultural practices related to hygiene. It's also useful for understanding modern standards of cleanliness.
- Q: Is this book good for academic research? A: Yes, this book is excellent for academic research. It combines archeology, psychology, and sociology, making it a valuable resource for various fields.
- Q: Can this book be a good gift? A: Yes, this book can be a thoughtful gift for anyone interested in history or health. Its unique perspective on hygiene makes it a fascinating read.
- Q: How should I handle this book to keep it in good condition? A: Handle the book with clean hands and avoid exposing it to moisture. Store it upright on a shelf to prevent damage to the spine.
- Q: Is there any special storage requirement for this book? A: No special storage requirements are necessary. Just keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve its condition.
- Q: What should I do if the book arrives damaged? A: If the book arrives damaged, contact the seller for a replacement or refund. Most retailers have policies in place for handling such issues.
- Q: Is there a return policy for this book? A: Yes, there is typically a return policy. Check with the retailer for specific details regarding returns and exchanges.
- Q: How can I ensure I'm purchasing the correct version of this book? A: To ensure you're purchasing the correct version, verify the title and author. Look for the hardcover edition published by Oxford University Press.
- Q: Are there any reviews available for this book? A: Yes, there are reviews available online. They can provide insights into other readers' experiences and opinions about the book.