The Invention of Comfort

"Crowley provides a masterly search and survey that no historian of material culture should miss, and every curious reader should consider."—Eugen Weber, Phi Beta Kappa Key Reporter

"A comprehensive and tight study . . . a valuable contribution to the field, [and] one that is enjoyable to read."—Emma Hart, English Historical Review

"The sheer range of evidence, the interweaving of themes, and the overall strength of the argument mean [this] is an ideal book for specialists and students alike."—Helen Clifford, Journal of Design History

"The Invention of Comfort is an important and thought-provoking book that challenges our understanding of why people live that way they do."—Marie Morgan, New England Quarterly

"This is a powerful book, full of startling information and valuable insights."—Rhys Isaac, American Historical Review

"This is a grand panorama that stretches from medieval times through the antebellum years and covers a geographic area from England to the West Indies and then some. Crowley makes a successful case for the 'invention' of comfort and especially for the cultural influences on that process."—Molly W. Berger, Technology and Culture

"Crowley invites his readers to follow him upon an engaging and meticulously detailed tour of the living spaces of English people."—Natalie Zacek, H-Albion, H-Net Reviews

"Good books cross lines drawn in the sand by others. Terrific books scatter the sand and redraw the lines. John E. Crowley's The Invention of Comfort is one of the latter . . . A masterful and sweeping interpretation of material culture evidence that asks important historical questions."—Ann Smart Martin, Journal of Social History

"Every page offers interesting detail, worthwhile insights, and useful connections—the illustrations are a major contribution in themselves . . . It will be a standard reference work in material culture studies."—Peter Charles HofferUniversity of Georgia, author of The Devil's Disciples and Law and People in Colonial America