Includes bibliographical references (page 250) and index

Introduction -- The first shoes -- From the Middle Ages to the Renaissance -- European Renaissance -- Towards the Age of Reason -- Return to simplicity -- Mechanization of the industry -- The turn of the twentieth century -- Austerity years -- A new era -- 1980s to the present -- Places to visit -- Selected bibliography -- Glossary -- Index -- Acknowledgements

From high heels to protective boots, shoes are powerful objects of desire as well as a practical necessity. They are also fascinating indicators of the fashions, social attitudes, and economic backdrop of the times in which they were made and worn. This lavishly illustrated volume takes the reader on a glorious journey through many centuries of footwear from antiquity to the present, showcasing a dazzling array of shoes from all over the world