Custodians of Wonder: Ancient Customs, Profound Traditions, and the Last People Keeping Them Alive by Eliot Stein

4.27 AVERAGE

jenmulsow's profile picture

jenmulsow's review against another edition

5.0
informative inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

eringf's review

4.5
adventurous emotional informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

msteinfeld's review

5.0
A series of long-form articles that takes you around the world to chronical the people involved in keeping alive cultural traditions/practices/arts. I loved that he combined the current practice with the history of how it developed, and how it became so rare. My intent was always to read one chapter at a time, but as soon as I'd finished one, I'd race ahead to start the next one because I was so interested in learning about the next thing. I read one chapter aloud to my 8 year old and she was equally fascinated. This is a great book for any non-fiction lover, anyone with a New Yorker subscription, or anyone with a curiosity about other cultures. One of my favorites of the year!
irisfang's profile picture

irisfang's review against another edition

4.75
informative inspiring reflective medium-paced
williamsdebbied's profile picture

williamsdebbied's review

4.75
adventurous hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced
tabathacass's profile picture

tabathacass's review

4.0
hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing medium-paced
elizabethmae's profile picture

elizabethmae's review

4.0
informative inspiring medium-paced
bri_the_librarian's profile picture

bri_the_librarian's review

5.0
adventurous informative inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
Such amazing stories from across the globe. Each one was interesting, entertaining, and got me researching the customs more outside of the book. Eliot Stein is also a phenomenal engaging writer and made the book so much more vibrant. My only gripe is that there was no photo section. This was easily remedied with Google though! I'd recommend this book to anyone with a curiosity about the world and the fantastic diverse cultures within it. 

oshgrin's review

5.0
adventurous hopeful informative inspiring reflective

hardhatscott's review

5.0
informative inspiring medium-paced
A wonderful exploration of culture around the world.  A combination travel guide, anthropology, history and memoir.  I love how each chapter includes a back story on the history of bees, for example.  Well worth reading.