"Puppets have existed in one form or another in nearly every culture throughout human history. In Puppetry: A World History, author Eileen Blumenthal offers an overview of puppetry, examining the unique nature and abilities of puppets and the countless roles they have played in societies across the globe. Puppets are incredibly diverse, reflecting the varied cultures, environments, and often eccentric personalities of their creators. Blumenthal draws on examples from an astonishing array of puppeteers and performances, as well as works of art and historical artifacts to give readers a view of this intricate world."--Jacket.