Overview

A fascinating and colourful social history of the nighttime. 'A wonderful revelation of a vanished age of darkness' SPECTATOR 'Fascinating' SUNDAY TIMES 'A splendid book ... great entertainment' Sir Patrick Moore 'A triumph of social history. Almost every page contains something to surprise the reader ... one of the most enjoyable literary experiences of the year' MAIL ON SUNDAY From blanket fairs to night kings, curfews to crime, At Day's Close is an intriguing and captivating investigation into the night. Until now, this rich and complex universe in which we spend nearly half of our lives was a world long-lost to historians. Here, Ekirch explores how the night was lived in the past, through travel accounts, memoirs, letters, folklore, poems, court records and coroner's reports. More than this, it is a passionate argument in the case for less artificial light in an increasingly bright world.

Full Product Details

Author:   Professor A. Roger Ekirch
Publisher:   Orion Publishing Co
Imprint:   Weidenfeld & Nicolson
Dimensions:   Width: 12.80cm , Height: 4.00cm , Length: 19.60cm
Weight:   0.420kg
ISBN:  

9781474624916

ISBN 10:   147462491
Pages:   480
Publication Date:   07 April 2022
Audience:   General/trade ,  College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  General ,  Tertiary & Higher Education
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In stock  
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Table of Contents

Reviews

A wonderful revelation of a vanished age of darkness * SPECTATOR * A wonderful revelation of a vanished age of darkness * SPECTATOR * A wonderful revelation of a vanished age of darkness * SPECTATOR * A triumph of social history. Almost every page contains something to surprise the reader ... one of the most enjoyable literary experiences of the year * MAIL ON SUNDAY * A triumph of social history. Almost every page contains something to surprise the reader ... one of the most enjoyable literary experiences of the year * MAIL ON SUNDAY * A triumph of social history. Almost every page contains something to surprise the reader ... one of the most enjoyable literary experiences of the year * MAIL ON SUNDAY * An enthralling anthropology of the shadow reals of Western Europe from the late Middle Ages to the Industrial Revolution ... a passionate case against too much artificial light * HARPER'S MAGAZINE * An enthralling anthropology of the shadow reals of Western Europe from the late Middle Ages to the Industrial Revolution ... a passionate case against too much artificial light * HARPER'S MAGAZINE * An enthralling anthropology of the shadow reals of Western Europe from the late Middle Ages to the Industrial Revolution ... a passionate case against too much artificial light * HARPER'S MAGAZINE * In his fascinating survey of the dark hours of the pre-industrial era, A Roger Ekirch takes us deep into an age when the very lack of light threw life into confusion ... an engrossing book that illuminates the darker recesses of the past * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH * In his fascinating survey of the dark hours of the pre-industrial era, A Roger Ekirch takes us deep into an age when the very lack of light threw life into confusion ... an engrossing book that illuminates the darker recesses of the past * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH * In his fascinating survey of the dark hours of the pre-industrial era, A Roger Ekirch takes us deep into an age when the very lack of light threw life into confusion ... an engrossing book that illuminates the darker recesses of the past * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH * Meticulously researched ... AT DAY'S CLOSE is a splendid book ... great entertainment, and to social historians it will be of immense value * TIMES HIGHER EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENT * Meticulously researched ... AT DAY'S CLOSE is a splendid book ... great entertainment, and to social historians it will be of immense value * TIMES HIGHER EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENT * Meticulously researched ... AT DAY'S CLOSE is a splendid book ... great entertainment, and to social historians it will be of immense value * TIMES HIGHER EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENT * A comprehensive account of nightlife...bursting with esoteric and well-sourced information about everything from candles and curfews to church bells and chamber pots * EVENING STANDARD * A comprehensive account of nightlife...bursting with esoteric and well-sourced information about everything from candles and curfews to church bells and chamber pots * EVENING STANDARD * A comprehensive account of nightlife...bursting with esoteric and well-sourced information about everything from candles and curfews to church bells and chamber pots * EVENING STANDARD * Wonderful... Ekirch spares no pains to rediscover the lost world of the dark ... A book that can't be summarised but must be experienced * LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS * Wonderful... Ekirch spares no pains to rediscover the lost world of the dark ... A book that can't be summarised but must be experienced * LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS * Wonderful... Ekirch spares no pains to rediscover the lost world of the dark ... A book that can't be summarised but must be experienced * LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS * Just the sort of browsable treat guaranteed to cause insomnia * THE SCOTSMAN * Just the sort of browsable treat guaranteed to cause insomnia * THE SCOTSMAN * Just the sort of browsable treat guaranteed to cause insomnia * THE SCOTSMAN * Night-time has been curiously ignored by social historians. This fine book corrects that lack ... Entertaining and informative * THE TIMES * Night-time has been curiously ignored by social historians. This fine book corrects that lack ... Entertaining and informative * THE TIMES * Night-time has been curiously ignored by social historians. This fine book corrects that lack ... Entertaining and informative * THE TIMES * Ekirch's absorbing history reveals an alternative universe shaped by real and imaginary perils * SUNDAY TIMES * Ekirch's absorbing history reveals an alternative universe shaped by real and imaginary perils * SUNDAY TIMES * Ekirch's absorbing history reveals an alternative universe shaped by real and imaginary perils * SUNDAY TIMES * Fascinating ... exploring what went on at night between 1500 and 1830 ... Here are microcultural tales of pirates and robbers, blanket fairs (people climbing into bed together to talk before going to sleep), curtain lectures (wives who felt emboldened by the dark to complain to their recumbent husbands) and night-kings (sewer cleaners in German) * GUARDIAN * Fascinating ... exploring what went on at night between 1500 and 1830 ... Here are microcultural tales of pirates and robbers, blanket fairs (people climbing into bed together to talk before going to sleep), curtain lectures (wives who felt emboldened by the dark to complain to their recumbent husbands) and night-kings (sewer cleaners in German) * GUARDIAN * Fascinating ... exploring what went on at night between 1500 and 1830 ... Here are microcultural tales of pirates and robbers, blanket fairs (people climbing into bed together to talk before going to sleep), curtain lectures (wives who felt emboldened by the dark to complain to their recumbent husbands) and night-kings (sewer cleaners in German) * GUARDIAN * The book is especially engaging on the social significance of the night, the moral meanings projected into the dark * FINANCIAL TIMES * The book is especially engaging on the social significance of the night, the moral meanings projected into the dark * FINANCIAL TIMES * The book is especially engaging on the social significance of the night, the moral meanings projected into the dark * FINANCIAL TIMES * There are so many good stories here which do not usually find themselves between the same covers * LITERARY REVIEW * There are so many good stories here which do not usually find themselves between the same covers * LITERARY REVIEW * There are so many good stories here which do not usually find themselves between the same covers * LITERARY REVIEW * This enlightening book ... is one of the most fascinating and rewarding literary experiences you are likely to discover this year * HERTS & ESSEX OBSERVER * This enlightening book ... is one of the most fascinating and rewarding literary experiences you are likely to discover this year * HERTS & ESSEX OBSERVER * This enlightening book ... is one of the most fascinating and rewarding literary experiences you are likely to discover this year * HERTS & ESSEX OBSERVER * Absorbing ... fascinating ... tells us about everything from witches to firefighting, architecture to domestic violence ... a monumental study * THE NATION * Absorbing ... fascinating ... tells us about everything from witches to firefighting, architecture to domestic violence ... a monumental study * THE NATION * Absorbing ... fascinating ... tells us about everything from witches to firefighting, architecture to domestic violence ... a monumental study * THE NATION * Just the sort of browsable treat guaranteed to cause insomnia. * THE SCOTSMAN (29/4/06) * Wonderful... Ekirch spares no pains to rediscover the lost world of the dark. ... A book that can't be summarised but must be experienced. * LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS (9/3/06) * Night-time has been curiously ignored by social historians. This fine book corrects that lack. ... Entertaining and informative, this book is also challenging. * THE TIMES (25/3/06) * Ekirch's absorbing history reveals an alternative universe shaped by real and imaginary perils. * SUNDAY TIMES (23/4/06) * This enlightening book ... is one of the most fascinating and rewarding literary experiences you are likely to discover this year. * HERTS & ESSEX OBSERVER (11/5/06) *

A wonderful revelation of a vanished age of darkness * SPECTATOR * A triumph of social history. Almost every page contains something to surprise the reader ... one of the most enjoyable literary experiences of the year * MAIL ON SUNDAY * An enthralling anthropology of the shadow reals of Western Europe from the late Middle Ages to the Industrial Revolution ... a passionate case against too much artificial light * HARPER'S MAGAZINE * In his fascinating survey of the dark hours of the pre-industrial era, A Roger Ekirch takes us deep into an age when the very lack of light threw life into confusion ... an engrossing book that illuminates the darker recesses of the past * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH * Meticulously researched ... AT DAY'S CLOSE is a splendid book ... great entertainment, and to social historians it will be of immense value -- Sir Patrick Moore * TIMES HIGHER EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENT * A comprehensive account of nightlife...bursting with esoteric and well-sourced information about everything from candles and curfews to church bells and chamber pots * EVENING STANDARD * Wonderful... Ekirch spares no pains to rediscover the lost world of the dark ... A book that can't be summarised but must be experienced -- David Wootton * LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS * Just the sort of browsable treat guaranteed to cause insomnia * THE SCOTSMAN * Night-time has been curiously ignored by social historians. This fine book corrects that lack ... Entertaining and informative * THE TIMES * Ekirch's absorbing history reveals an alternative universe shaped by real and imaginary perils * SUNDAY TIMES * Fascinating ... exploring what went on at night between 1500 and 1830 ... Here are microcultural tales of pirates and robbers, blanket fairs (people climbing into bed together to talk before going to sleep), curtain lectures (wives who felt emboldened by the dark to complain to their recumbent husbands) and night-kings (sewer cleaners in German) * GUARDIAN * The book is especially engaging on the social significance of the night, the moral meanings projected into the dark * FINANCIAL TIMES * There are so many good stories here which do not usually find themselves between the same covers * LITERARY REVIEW * This enlightening book ... is one of the most fascinating and rewarding literary experiences you are likely to discover this year * HERTS & ESSEX OBSERVER * Absorbing ... fascinating ... tells us about everything from witches to firefighting, architecture to domestic violence ... a monumental study * THE NATION * Just the sort of browsable treat guaranteed to cause insomnia. * THE SCOTSMAN (29/4/06) * Wonderful... Ekirch spares no pains to rediscover the lost world of the dark. ... A book that can't be summarised but must be experienced. -- David Wootton * LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS (9/3/06) * Night-time has been curiously ignored by social historians. This fine book corrects that lack. ... Entertaining and informative, this book is also challenging. * THE TIMES (25/3/06) * Ekirch's absorbing history reveals an alternative universe shaped by real and imaginary perils. * SUNDAY TIMES (23/4/06) * This enlightening book ... is one of the most fascinating and rewarding literary experiences you are likely to discover this year. * HERTS & ESSEX OBSERVER (11/5/06) *

A wonderful revelation of a vanished age of darkness * SPECTATOR * A triumph of social history. Almost every page contains something to surprise the reader ... one of the most enjoyable literary experiences of the year * MAIL ON SUNDAY * An enthralling anthropology of the shadow reals of Western Europe from the late Middle Ages to the Industrial Revolution ... a passionate case against too much artificial light * HARPER'S MAGAZINE * In his fascinating survey of the dark hours of the pre-industrial era, A Roger Ekirch takes us deep into an age when the very lack of light threw life into confusion ... an engrossing book that illuminates the darker recesses of the past * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH * Meticulously researched ... AT DAY'S CLOSE is a splendid book ... great entertainment, and to social historians it will be of immense value -- Sir Patrick Moore * TIMES HIGHER EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENT * A comprehensive account of nightlife...bursting with esoteric and well-sourced information about everything from candles and curfews to church bells and chamber pots * EVENING STANDARD * Wonderful... Ekirch spares no pains to rediscover the lost world of the dark ... A book that can't be summarised but must be experienced -- David Wootton * LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS * Just the sort of browsable treat guaranteed to cause insomnia * THE SCOTSMAN * Night-time has been curiously ignored by social historians. This fine book corrects that lack ... Entertaining and informative * THE TIMES * Ekirch's absorbing history reveals an alternative universe shaped by real and imaginary perils * SUNDAY TIMES * Fascinating ... exploring what went on at night between 1500 and 1830 ... Here are microcultural tales of pirates and robbers, blanket fairs (people climbing into bed together to talk before going to sleep), curtain lectures (wives who felt emboldened by the dark to complain to their recumbent husbands) and night-kings (sewer cleaners in German) * GUARDIAN * The book is especially engaging on the social significance of the night, the moral meanings projected into the dark * FINANCIAL TIMES * There are so many good stories here which do not usually find themselves between the same covers * LITERARY REVIEW * This enlightening book ... is one of the most fascinating and rewarding literary experiences you are likely to discover this year * HERTS & ESSEX OBSERVER * Just the sort of browsable treat guaranteed to cause insomnia. * THE SCOTSMAN (29/4/06) * Wonderful... Ekirch spares no pains to rediscover the lost world of the dark. ... A book that can't be summarised but must be experienced. -- David Wootton * LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS (9/3/06) * Night-time has been curiously ignored by social historians. This fine book corrects that lack. ... Entertaining and informative, this book is also challenging. * THE TIMES (25/3/06) * Ekirch's absorbing history reveals an alternative universe shaped by real and imaginary perils. * SUNDAY TIMES (23/4/06) * This enlightening book ... is one of the most fascinating and rewarding literary experiences you are likely to discover this year. * HERTS & ESSEX OBSERVER (11/5/06) *

Author Information

Professor A. Roger Ekirch was born in 1950 in America. He teaches at Virginia Tech. On the basis of his research into the nighttime, Ekirch was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship.

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