A Brief History of Cotton: The Fabric That Clothed the World cover art

A Brief History of Cotton: The Fabric That Clothed the World

Listen with a free trial

Pre-order: Try Premium Plus free
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Unlimited access to our all-you-can-listen catalogue of 15K+ audiobooks and podcasts
Access exclusive sales and deals.
£8.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically.

A Brief History of Cotton: The Fabric That Clothed the World

By: Graham Whitfield
Narrated by: Virtual Voice
Pre-order: Try Premium Plus free

£8.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Pre-order Now for £10.29

Pre-order Now for £10.29

LIMITED TIME OFFER

£0.99/mo for 3 months - terms apply. Offer ends 31 August 2026.
Background images

This title uses virtual voice narration

Virtual voice is computer-generated narration for audiobooks.

Discover how a humble plant fueled global trade, built modern empires, and sparked devastating human exploitation. Perfect for your daily commute, this fascinating economic microhistory transforms an everyday commodity into a sweeping saga of wealth and conquest. You will never look at the clothes on your back the same way again.

From ancient caravan routes to the smoke-filled mills of the Industrial Revolution, this gripping narrative brings the human cost of progress into sharp focus. Lifelong learners will find themselves captivated by vivid snapshots of the merchants, enslaved laborers, and factory workers bound together by ruthless capitalism. Explore the complex, intertwining threads of technological innovation and modern supply chains.

What you'll discover inside:

• The ancient origins of spinning and cultivation along historic silk and caravan routes.

• How early maritime empires transformed a soft fiber into a relentless economic powerhouse.

• The dark, undeniable intersection of surging textile demand, coerced labor, and global conquest.

• How revolutionary spinning machines birthed the modern factory system and reshaped social classes.

• The intense modern environmental challenges and the push for sustainable industrial farming.

• The fascinating cultural evolution of apparel, from political protest symbolism to luxury branding.

Press play to embark on an eye-opening historical adventure that connects ancient innovations directly to our modern wardrobes. Immerse yourself in a thought-provoking story of relentless human ambition, systemic change, and global survival. Start listening now to understand the true fabric of our contemporary world.

©2026 Hidden Voices (P)2026 Hidden Voices
Economic History Economics World
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
No reviews yet