Timothy Brook weaves intersting historical points around items selected from some of Dutch painter Vermeer's best known works. Vermeer's apintings are really just a starting point on several journeys through Dutch and European colinisation of the East, North America, penetration into Japan and China.
I enjoyed the way that the histoircal facts are presented in a way that interlocks them all together and ties them all back to a hat, a plate or a globe as featured by Vermeer. It does get a little repetative towrds the end, but if you have a passing interest or more in Vermeer, the 1600's or the history of trade and colonisation this is a good read.
And who wouldn't want to own a book called ‘Vermeer's Hat’ – it'll look good in the bookshelf.
