Fabric of Civilization

There's just something wonderful about a non-fiction book where the writer is passionate about the subject matter, wants to make sure everybody understands just how awesome it is, and can write in an engaging manner. 
Every chapter in this book could spawn several books of its own. 
This is a relatively short work (250 pages plus glossary and notes) so you do get a sense of speed-running through the history of human civilization, plucking out times and places as they relate to the topic under discussion. 
And yet so much is crammed in! 
Chapter structure discusses the history of various elements of fabric production (as well as trading and consumption) and alongside it, the leaps and bounds made for human civilization by the manufacturing techniques, technology and social infrastructure such material production inspired. 
I was as fascinated by the future of fabric, the windows into where design and manufacturing may go next, as I was by the details of its past I previously had no clue about. 
As much engineering and invention, as much science, as history (not all of it pretty, of course). 
I always love hearing about those moments where  the sharing of knowledge (maybe previously hoarded or rediscovered or developed and open source) / knowledge transmission (part of a long tradition that miraculously survived to present day) is crucial for the future of crafts and technology. 
We need that message out there. 

Cons?
I'm biased to plant-based fibres, I can't get too ecstatic about petroleum-based polymers and microfibers given our current understanding of the environmental costs. 
Bit of a crime that all the photos and image reproductions are black and white. 
Disgusting details of reconstructing the manufacturing process of the original Tyrian purple. Poor murex! 
⚠️animal death, slavery, suicide