Blue Jeans, by Carolyn Purnell, is an excellent addition to the Object Lessons series, taking an object we all know and disrupting some of what we thought while also giving us a new appreciation.

This is one of the more straightforward volumes in the series, which is neither a positive nor a negative, simply what it is. We get some history of jeans in general, or dungarees, as well as what goes into the color we most associate with denim, indigo blue. This part of the history illustrates the extent to which so many objects, often ones we enjoy unthinkingly, come at great cost to many people and sometimes entire cultures. What helps tie all of this information together are Purnell's personal observations and stories. In fact, for me, these things make every volume of the series special, makes them something more than just history.

Highly recommended for anyone who loves learning about "things." There is enough detail here to make you wonder how you didn't know more, but enough personal perspective to feel like you're getting this information from a (very knowledgeable) friend.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley. ( )