A groundbreaking, informative, and thought-provoking exploration of fur's fashionable and controversial history The first and only book of its kind, Fur: A Sensitive History looks at the impact of fur on society, politics, and, of course, fashion. This material has a long, complex, and rich history, culminating in recent and ongoing anti-fur debates. Jonathan Faiers discusses how fur-long praised for its warmth, softness, and connotation of status-became so controversial, at the center of campaigns against animal cruelty and the movement toward ethical fashion. At the same time, fake fur now faces a backlash of its own, given the environmental impact of its manufacture and its links to fast fashion. Divided into five sections-dedicated to hair, pelt, coat, skin, and fleece-the book surveys not only the politics of fur but also its centrality to western fashion, the tactile pleasure it gives, and its use in literature, art, and film. This thoughtfully reasoned, eloquently written, and spectacularly illustrated examination of fur is both timely and essential, filling a gap in fashion scholarship and appealing to a broad audience.

A must-read for Civil War enthusiasts and quilters seeking accurate information on reproducing Civil War quilts. The stories of fourteen extraordinary Civil War quilts and the women who made them bring you face to face with the drama of war and its effect on thousands of lives. Some of these quilts tell love stories, others relate the determination of women seeking an active role in the war effort, but all represent efforts to support the fighting men. Each of these quilts tells stories of struggle and survival. The book contains patterns and information for making "block by block" or "potholder" quilts, with 40 traceable quilt block patterns with templates for hand piecing or rotary cutting for machine piecing. Also included is information on reproduction fabrics and how to participate in modern soldier-related community service quilting. This second edition also features a lively discussion of the Jane Stickle quilt, one of the most famous quilts made during the Civil War. With patterns rich in personal histories and strong visuals, author Pamela Weeks continues to deliver, and then some.