
Deals with the history of eyeglasses from their invention in Italy ca. 1286 to the appearance of the telescope three cent. later. “By the end of the 16th cent. eyeglasses were as common in western... Read More
"Delightfully absorbing."- Colloquy
"A comprehensive and painstakingly researched account."- Ophthalmic Antiques
"[A] great achievement…Ilardi has done more than expand our knowledge of a particular area of history….He has created a substantial history of eyeglasses that had not existed before."- Pamela O. Long, Speculum
"[A] masterful, scholarly, and readily readable work…a tour de force…truly brilliant!"- Jay M. Enoch, Hindsight: Journal of Optometry History
"[A]rguably the most important book on the history of spectacles."- David A. Fleischman, The Online Museum and Encyclopedia of Vision Aids
"If the early history of eyeglasses were a geographical territory, this book would be its Michelin Guide. Like any good tour book, it is authoritatively informative without being pedantic, often entertaining, and satisfyingly comprehensive…It is the product of decades of research and thought informed throughout by Ilardi’s vast knowledge of social, political, intellectual, and economic developments…[A] truly definitive study that bids fair to remain so for decades to come."- A. Mark Smith, Muncius
"Delightfully absorbing."– Colloquy
"A comprehensive and painstakingly researched account."– Ophthalmic Antiques
"[A] great achievement…Ilardi has done more than expand our knowledge of a particular area of history….He has created a substantial history of eyeglasses that had not existed before."– Pamela O. Long, Speculum
"[A] masterful, scholarly, and readily readable work…a tour de force…truly brilliant!"– Jay M. Enoch, Hindsight: Journal of Optometry History
"[A]rguably the most important book on the history of spectacles."– David A. Fleischman, The Online Museum and Encyclopedia of Vision Aids
"If the early history of eyeglasses were a geographical territory, this book would be its Michelin Guide. Like any good tour book, it is authoritatively informative without being pedantic, often entertaining, and satisfyingly comprehensive…It is the product of decades of research and thought informed throughout by Ilardi’s vast knowledge of social, political, intellectual, and economic developments…[A] truly definitive study that bids fair to remain so for decades to come."– A. Mark Smith, Muncius