Encyclopedia of Hair: A Cultural History

By Victoria Sherrow

Examine the ways in which hair has served as a signifier of class, gender, ethnicity, conformity or non-conformity, authority, and power throughout history.

Readers will learn about the universal human interest in hair and hair-styling throughout history and around the world. Alphabetically arranged entries explore issues and examples including: hair styles of royalty; wigs worn by lawmakers and judges; ceremonial hairstyles of tribes throughout the world; Oliver Cromwell's Roundheads; hair in the counterculture (including the musical Hair); skinheads, Mohawks and punk style; the hairstyles of First Ladies; celebrity hairstyles; women shaving their heads to subvert gender and sexuality stereotyping; the entire hair-care industry; the search for a cure to baldness; and diseases and disorders related to hair; hair arrangement/styling; care and cleansing; business and commercial aspects; laws and legal matters; trends and trendsetters; and health and science. This work is highly relevant to the study of class, gender, popular culture, and politics. A lavish set of color and halftone illustrations completes this fun and useful title.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0313331456
• ISBN13: 9780313331459
• Release Date: February 2006
• Publisher: Greenwood
• Length: 488 Pages
• Weight: 2.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 7.0" x 10.3"