Milton's Teeth and Ovid's Umbrella

Curiouser and Curiouser Adventures in History

By: Michael Olmert

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Paperback | 18 June 1996 | Edition Number 1

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Paperback
256 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
21.59 x 13.97 x 2.03

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We've been taught that history is the story of great events and important people -- but is it? In Milton's Teeth and Ovid's Umbrella, Michael Olmert shows how the most ordinary artifacts of everyday life can also be important sources of information. For the modern historian it's the little things that count, and these intriguing essays force us to take another look at the odds and ends of life we so often take for granted, including:
-- Toothbrushes -- how they eased civilization into the Industrial Revolution
-- Graffiti -- why they became a feature of our public "decoration"
-- Playing cards -- how the technology of printing cards led to Gutenberg's Bible
-- Keys -- why these little metal objects have been a symbol of power and authority throughout the ages
-- Horse racing -- how the rage for racing played an important role in the development of fashion and journalism

Whimsical, witty, and highly informative, Milton's Teeth and Ovid's Umbrella leads us through the back door and into the kitchen of history -- where people really lived.

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You Can Find This Book In

Non-Fiction Society & Culture Popular Beliefs & Controversial Knowledge History General & World History Specific Events & Topics in History Social & Cultural History History Theory & Methods Historiography Archaeology Politics & Government Philosophy

Earth Sciences, Geography, Environment, Planning Geography Geographical Discovery & Exploration

From Manuscripts to Monkey Bones
Life
Death	p. 33
Taxes	p. 41
Graffiti	p. 48
Hair	p. 53
Toothbrushes	p. 61
Teeth	p. 66
Hands	p. 72
Leisure
Football	p. 81
Running	p. 87
Betting	p. 94
The Sporting Chance	p. 101
Baseball Talk	p. 107
Horse Racing	p. 113
Lotteries	p. 120
Chess	p. 127
Cards	p. 134
Cowboys	p. 141
Celebrations
Marriage	p. 151
Birth	p. 157
Vacation	p. 166
Hazing	p. 171
Graduation	p. 177
April Fools' Day	p. 185
Implements and Symbols
Tools	p. 193
Lawns	p. 208
Trees	p. 214
Keys	p. 223
Pets	p. 230
Place-Names	p. 238
Dibs!	p. 245
Umbrellas	p. 251
Table of Contents provided by Syndetics. All Rights Reserved.

Milton's Teeth and Ovid's Umbrella

Curiouser and Curiouser Adventures in History

At a Glance

Paperback

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

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