Lattimore, Deborah Nourse. A Brief History of Underwear. Illustrated by David A. Carter. Harcourt Brace, 1998. ISBN 0-15-276652-9. $15.95. 24 pp. A Pre-8 NF Reviewed by Robert L. Maxwell Kids will love this brief history of underwear, which takes the subject from the Egyptians whether you were an Egyptian king, queen, or captive from across the desert, the loincloth remained the underwear of choice through the Renaissance some items made [their] legs bigger, some made [their] chest smaller, while others squeezed or pushed or lifted to Marie Antoinette’s frolics in the palace garden in her petticoats, down to modern times. Written in a lively style, this book also appeals to adults, as was evident in the reaction it got as it made its way around the BYU library cataloguing department! One thing is clear: from prehistoric times to the present, people have looked around and thought, ‘I wonder what’s under there?’ Now, for the first time, the answer is revealed. Well, perhaps not for the first time, but possible for the first time in the pop-up format. One of the most charming aspects of this book is that it allows the reader to lift up the characters’ clothes and see just what is under there. Ever wonder what a bumroll looks like? Or braies? Or a hoop bustle? Here is your chance. As is the case with nearly all pop-up books, this one is fragile and probably requires adult supervision, especially for small children.
