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alienqueen's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
5.0
Always love when Lucy interject her humor and personality into her writing
ameyawarde's review against another edition
4.0
Disclaimer: I love Lucy Worsley and want to be her when i grow up (please ignore any so-called facts which suggest I am already grown up. They are not true.) So, I am completely biased. But only because I am already familiar with her and as a fellow history nerd, adore her. Also, this isn't an academic book, so I'm just reviewing it as a book about history aimed at people much less into history than I am.
I watched her TV program this book was based off of years and years ago, and finally got around to listening to this book, and now I'm on a library waitlist to get the ebook version so I can annoy friends and families with lots of interesting excerpts! I'd recommend it to anyone with even a passing interest in the idea of the history of our homes (though it is, of course, very British), as It's great pop-history introduction to the subject.
As always, her style is very conversational, and, especially if you're familiar with her TV programs, you can't help but hear the whole thing said in her voice.
Though there are some facts that, while common urban legends, aren't verifiably true (like the term "sleep tight"'s origins-- though honestly all the "debunkers" dont make good arguments, imo), but nothing egregious or that someone wont hear from most other non-academic books/programs/many museums on the subject.
I watched her TV program this book was based off of years and years ago, and finally got around to listening to this book, and now I'm on a library waitlist to get the ebook version so I can annoy friends and families with lots of interesting excerpts! I'd recommend it to anyone with even a passing interest in the idea of the history of our homes (though it is, of course, very British), as It's great pop-history introduction to the subject.
As always, her style is very conversational, and, especially if you're familiar with her TV programs, you can't help but hear the whole thing said in her voice.
Though there are some facts that, while common urban legends, aren't verifiably true (like the term "sleep tight"'s origins-- though honestly all the "debunkers" dont make good arguments, imo), but nothing egregious or that someone wont hear from most other non-academic books/programs/many museums on the subject.
kalisaur's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.25
Obviously due to the scope of the book many things are lightly touched on that have been written elsewhere in more depth, but this is a good way to find topics of interest to delve into more deeply. Overall interesting and enjoyable though I suppose due to her job relating to the historic royal palaces, she does have a bit of a focus on Tudor/Georgian more than medieval or Victorian and later
kingarooski's review against another edition
3.0
Very enjoyable look through the history of the home and social history.
deedoo's review against another edition
4.0
Very interesting book. A lot of great info. I would LOVE a book that expanded on the short conclusion.
smashton12's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book - it gave a great overview of the British home throughout the centuries. I did find the section on the Living Room to drag on a bit but otherwise I enjoyed it! I really liked finding out the origin of the names for much of our modern furniture.
virginia__jane's review against another edition
5.0
A fascinating journey across English history as told through the evolution of our homes, the rooms within, and the ways we used those rooms & commonplace items.
southerngirlinexile's review against another edition
4.0
Just a fascinating book. The author did a fantastic job of making a potentially dry subject really riveting... for the first 1/2. The history of the living room and kitchen just didn't hold up to the bedroom and bathroom. Still, it's a book that I will probably revisit - and hopefully finish - in the future.