Empire of Things

"Empire of Things" by Frank Trentmann is an expansive historical study that examines how the way we consume and value material goods has evolved over centuries, from early China and Italy to the modern world. Richly detailed and wide-ranging, the book explores the impact of consumer culture on history and contemporary global challenges. Trentmann, a distinguished historian and professor at Birkbeck College, offers a thoughtful analysis of the cultural and economic forces shaping our lives today.