Published December 10, 2024

Summary

In this book, Stein travels the world visiting people who are keeping alive traditions or crafts that date back hundreds of years. Often these people are the last who are keeping the traditions alive. Everything from African instruments and Italian pasta to a Swedish Night Watchman and English Bee Talkers.

My Thoughts

It feels like a really well written travelogue, combined with just enough history, and filled with unique artisans and traditions.

Some of the stories captured me more than others. As a reader, the lectores who read to cigar makers in Cuba was a favorite. But there wasn’t a single chapter that didn’t teach me something new or make me want to learn more. 

I found this book hard to put down. The writing is engaging and the the author is gifted at pacing the introduction of information. He makes me care not only about the traditions, but about the people who are guarding them. I also found he had a rather dry sense of humor that I truly appreciate. 

And as a bonus, the cover is lovely! 

My thanks to NetGalley for the complimentary eARC of this book.

My rating 5/5