19 Nov 2014

A BRIEF HISTORY OF UNDERPANTS AS REVIEWED BY MR T.


A BRIEF HISTORY OF UNDERPANTS by TIMOTHY JAMES BROWN.
{Click on book title to view synopsis}

Self-proclaimed white knuckle ride through the laundry basket of time, this small collection of historical vignettes is indeed a rapid read and full of chuckles. 

Well researched pieces accompanied by well photo-shopped original imagery enthuse towards addressing the authors ambition to restore undergarments to their rightful place in the annals of history. From the anthropological insights that the wearing of pants was directly responsible for our evolutionary development to homo erectus to the recent quantum discovery that the universe is the shape of a pair of ladies small 'superstrings' existing in seven dimensions; I'm inclined to believe him. Although the development of the iPant that can e-mail pictures of itself to complete strangers without our permission may be stretching the historical elastic too far.

Passing delicately beyond the impoverished history of the self-supporting fig leaf, to the Greek tragedy of their obsession with nudity that almost saw the underpant disappear from history, Ben Her, Vikings, Domesday .... too many critical turns and twists of fate. It would of course be remiss of me not to mention the crack missionaries sent from Rome by St. Benedict the Sensitive to  re-introduce Christianity, civilisation and Godly underwear to the rest of Europe as evidenced in the illuminated script 'Saint Michael brings underpants to the Geordies', who had previously refused them as 'rock horde' and enduring the fiercest of winters 'in the nip like. as long as I got me tabs'.

Not sure I would have parted with the £10 retail price for this, but for 50p as a library withdrawal from stock, I am so glad to have had my knowledge of history enhanced by this brief publication.

- NJ Terry, November 2014.

8 comments:

Kelly said...

I would never have imagined a book on this topic. It sounds like it was quite a fun read, though....especially at a bargain price like that (which can make all the difference in the world).

anilkurup59 said...

A queer and amazing topic for a book.

Sherry Ellis said...

I like that - a brief publication on briefs!

Melissa (Books and Things) said...

HA! I love this review! I wouldn't have paid full price either, but an ex-library book... or even a library book? Yea, I might try it. LOL

Suko said...

In brief(s), his closing sentence is the clincher for me: terrific, witty review!

Tracy, you and Mr. T. share a terrific and refined sense of humor (humour)! :D

Melliane said...

It's surprising, but not sure it would be for me...

Brian Joseph said...

This seems to be a clever and amusing concept for a book. No matter what then subject, there is somebody out there studying it!

Gina said...

That ummm...was an interesting pick. *-* Can honestly say I probably wouldn't have seen it otherwise...thanks for the share!