A whole book about rope?!

I never thought about the importance of rope throughout history and continuing today until I saw this book! My first reaction was that the book could be boring as heck or fascinating, so I decided I had to check it out. It was both.

The average person uses rope in its many forms directly or indirectly many times a day, and humans have done so throughout history. Rope opens with a man being shot by a bow and arrow more than 5,100 years ago and explores the many uses of rope, cord, thread, etc., throughout history and throughout the world. It was fascinating to read not only how long rope has been used but also the many forms it has taken and the uses to which it has been put around the world. There are artifacts from Austronesian people as long ago as 3000 BCE. As we move forward in time readers learn about transatlantic cable cars, Native Americans’ use of decorated ropes to tie up prisoners, and a lot of other history. It was fun to read that Will Rogers was Cherokee and a master of rope tricks, but I was disappointed that my native city of Baltimore continued to use whipping as punishment for wife-beating until 1938.

On the downside, author Tim Queeney explored a truly impressive array of subjects in his research for this book, and he sometimes stayed on a topic a bit longer than I think the average reader would prefer. This was especially true on sea-related subjects, which no doubt reflected his personal background in sailing and experience as editor of Ocean Navigator magazine.

Pleasing readers with a book like Rope depends not just on the author's knowledge but also the style. Rope The writing has several elements that lightened the tone from time to time , like having Strands, instead of Chapters, with titles like “We All Pull Together”. The research for the book was mindboggling, and the book includes a number of relevant quotes from sources like Master ropemaker for the U.S. Navy David Himmelfarb !

If, like me, the idea of delving into rope appeals to you, I recommend you check this book out. To avoid getting “tied up”, though, if you find that you have heard as much as you wish to know about some topic, just skip a few paragraphs or pages and move on. Enjoying the next topic or era will not require that you have read the last. You will learn some science, some history, and have entertaining tidbits to share with friends, who will be caught up in the things you learned.

I received an advance review copy of this book from NetGalley and St. Martins Press

Many of the main topics seemed pretty obvious but it got really interesting going into the details and finer points of how rope was used in many situations.

Factual historical storytelling centered on something many of us take for granted despite its rich history and lifesaving properties in any century.
There is an extensive bibliography at the end. Pub Date Aug 12, 2025 Buy one for your local library!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley.
#RopeBook by @timqueeney @StMartinsPress #NetGalley @iconbooks #bookbub #goodreads #storygraph #librarything @barnesandnoble @waterstones @kobobooks @booksamillion
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Tim Queeney presents a fascinating micro-history of rope, and its role in advancing exploration, technology, recreation, and more. I particularly enjoyed his conversational tone--authoritative, but not dry--and the mix of anecdote and detail he provides. In Queeney's hands, rope becomes a metaphor for what binds our civilizations together and the way we solve problems. I also appreciated his personal recollections of rope, and the way it evoked a connection to his sailor father.

Thanks to the author, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance copy of this new book that seeks to untie the many lengths that cordage has had on humans and the world around them, from building monuments, sailing the seas and even to the stars.

My Dad loved two things in life, buying older cars and going to every tag sale in the area with my Mom, who he also loved. Many a bookcase, a couch, a bed, a bunk bed, curio cabinet and once a very large electric organ has come home strapped to the roof of my Dad's big junker at the time. A blanket and rope and my Dad could move a house. Dad learned about rope from my Grandfather, who was a commercial fisherman and lumberjack before moving South to America from Canada. Pop Pop knew rope and how to secure anything. To him it keep him safe and allowed him to do his job. To my dad it enabled him to furnish his house, and spoil his family. To others rope can mean something more, and something helpful to our development. Rope: How a Bundle of Twisted Fibers Became the Backbone of Civilization by journalist and writer Tim Queeney is a look at how cordage made a difference in the way that early man dealt with the world, from food, to trade, to finding out what as beyond the horizon, the clouds, and even into the future of space exploration.

The book begins with Queeney finding some old rope that had been used by his father, who was a weekend sailor. The knots kept in the fibers, how Queeney's father taught him about sailing and the importance of the ropes to keeping the boat sailing and safe. Queeney looks at the making of rope a process that hasn't changed much since early man, as fibers are twisted in ways to make something stronger, and yet pliable. The book than moves to the beginning how early man might have developed rope, which is hard to find as most of it would have broken down. Queeney shows the early tools used to make rope, and the community that sprung from it, as twisting rope is not that easy. Queeney discusses how ancient mariners counted on rope to keep their boats together, and used to strap on new items, starting trade routes and more. Queeney discusses the changes in rope making and production and looks to the future at giant space elevators, and more that will need cordage to keep it together.

A very interesting book that is about much more than rope, but how our early ancestors were about to problem solve using rope and well man power. The book ranges from early days, to the building of the pyramids, and of Stonehenge. There is a lot about rope and the nautical life, which I enjoyed and found interesting, and something that might appeal to readers of nautical history. Queeney has done a lot of research, but writes in a very nice style, keeping everything easy to follow, and not seem like a lecture. A history that covers quite a lot of information, and does it quite well.

Recommended for people who like books that deal with the effects of one item on the world, like Mark Kurlansky or Simon Winchester. This is also a book that people who enjoy boats might enjoy, there is a lot of information, and much about the design of boats. A read that taught me much, and made me interested to learn more.

3 out of 5 stars

I went into this book knowing it would be hit or miss. Sometimes the niche histories are the most fascinating ones to read, and other times they are very much not. I really hoped that this book would surprise me. Rope is a simple object that we do not think of very often, but maybe it has an interesting history. One chapter in and I lost hope.

Rope: How a Bundle of Twister Fibers Became the Backbone of Civilization is split up into three sections: Fibers from the earth, Beyond plants, and Roping in the future. These sections vary wildly in length and dryness. The first section is over half of the book and contains an excessive amount of rope jargon. It also has moments of interesting history, but not enough to make up for the technical talk. The second part is, to me, the most interesting and discusses the more modern uses of rope including the building of a suspension bridge, magic, acrobatics, rodeos, double Dutch jump rope, adventuring, and more. The third section is the shortest of the three and could arguably be included in the second part. It covers an interesting look into NASA's use of rope for the Mars Rover.

Even though the book is very dry, the interesting parts stood out and made me wish more of the book took that same approach. The sections that stood out to me the most included the examination of the significance of rope to sailors and ships around the world, and the exploration of rope and knots in ceremonial situations, which included handcuffing criminals. Along with those examples, I liked how rope around the world and throughout all history was examined in this work. Also, it is fun that “Strands” was used in place of “Chapters.” It is nice to see an author go all in with the theme of a book.

This book had so much potential. Rope has a rich history and the significance of the twister fibers around the world offers much to explore. However, the first section of the book dragged on for so long, the rest could not make up for that lag.

A short but interesting history of the rope from the dawn of history to the future. I was disappointed that the author left out several important ropes - thread for clothes, weaving,, and the Japanese art of Kumihimo (braid weaving). Ropes or cords have also been used for slings, and are twisted into patterns in South America. Silk is commonly used for ropes and thread.

I don't think I've ever thought about rope in any depth before, and this book really forced me to do that. I enjoyed it, I feel like it encompassed more than just rope, and really brought together the social impact of the things humanity does to make their lives just a little bit easier. It reminded me of this post I saw about how one of the first plants purposefully grown by humans was a bottle gourd in order to have a drinking vessel. Humans are so cool

Rope is a micro history exploring how important rope is for creating civilization as we know it. The writing is light and accessible. The short explorations of each example kept the book from dragging, though it is a bit meandering at times. I did find myself stopping to look up pictures and illustrations of some of the examples.

While I expected all the nautical usage of rope historically, what I found the most interesting was some of the other usages, like the Inka system of writing or how ancient monuments were built, like the pyramids. I can definitely say I never realized how important rope was before reading this book. If you want a greater appreciate for rope and how it has been used throughout history, then is the book for you.

This book focused on nautical rope more than I would have liked. Overall the pace was good, I learned some things, and it left me wanting to read more about the topic. Young men in my school will enjoy this book.

If you are a fan of microhistories, then I think this book will be right up your alley.

Rope is a well-researched, well-written book that probably covers everything you could ever want to know about rope.
I am not sure Queeney convinced me that rope is the backbone of civilization, but there is a lot of information told in an entertaining, easily approachable manner.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the dARc of this work in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars

This was an intriguing concept, along the line of Mark Kurlansky's non fiction books on cod and salt, among other things. He points out that man's ability to manufacture things, like woven rope, are one of the major things that distinguish him from animals.

Queeney takes an everyday item we tend to take for granted and describes its origins and its importance in a lot of different areas. Neither Stonehenge nor the Pyramids could have been built without the use of ropes. He starts with the discovery of ancient rope fragments in the caves of France and Spain, and talks about the Plains Indians use of rope. Coconut fiber rope also played an integral part in the Polynesian voyages. The British Empire and Britain's storied Royal Navy relied heavily on its use. These examples and their individual stories were some of the strongest parts of the book.

He then discussed all the different materials that have been used over the centuries, from natural materials such as hemp, grassses and manila to modern versions featuring metal and kevlar.

There were times when his explanations went on a little too long and were a bit dry, but for the most part an interesting and entertaining read.

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

When considering books following one object through its historical "life" most would recognize Salt by Mark Kurlanksy. This would be the text that all other books diving into the genre seem to follow. Having read many other books within this genre, I would say the majority fall short of Kurlansky's example. Tim Queeney's book Rope definitely does not! As a sailor himself, he knows the ropes about, well, rope! And this book is an homage to rope and everything it has been and become throughout human history.

Before reading this book I had no idea the pivotal role rope has had within human history. Sure we hear about the wheel, or fire, or stone tools being important to us as evolving creatures, but rope was something I never considered. One thing that struck me was how fire or a piece of broken flint could happen in the wild and be discovered. But rope? Rope always has to be made! The cognizant evolution of us as a species can be shown with the making of rope! After reading Queeney's book I now know that rope is truly one of the greatest inventions humankind has made.

Queeney is an exceptional writer mixing facts and history with quips and jokes. Although the book itself is scholarly, Queeney keeps it light and enjoyable throughout. It is not a slog to read with all the historical facts, but rather a fun journey through history and how rope has always been pivotal to our journey. Every chapter, which each portray a different time period in human history, had me learning so many new things about rope and its importance. I will never take rope for granted again after reading this book!

If you are the type that is fascinated by deeply specific histories, this is the book for you. If you just want to learn some fun facts about different time periods in history, this book if for you. If you just want to read a really good book...this book is for you! I am so glad I read this book and look forward to reading some of Tim Queeney's other works.

Eh? So there are some pieces that are really interesting in here, but it kind of feels like they get buried within parts that either aren't really about ropes beyond speculation or a passing reference, or that get mired in terminology and references that don't mean a whole lot to someone not tangled up in ropes. And parts of this book aren't really about something the average person would consider rope, but "Long, skinny object made out of many types of materials and can be used for many purposes" while more accurate, is even more of a mouthful than the current title. Almost the first half of the book is more anthropological in nature, covering ancient Egyptians or seafaring societies that probably used rope to do at least some of their work. But in these parts it is mentioned more in passing, speculation or as a side note and the focus is on the overall actions of the civilization. Queeney finally moves into more of a focus on rope, the materials it was made of, and different ways it was used, and it finally starts feeling more relevant to the book title. Some of it is really interesting. A lot of it is mired in terminology that means absolutely nothing to me and is hard to visualize. I also struggled at times with the writing style. Some times it is more formal and feels like a reference paper with book citations. Sometimes it is very casual and speaking directly to the reader. Other times it feels like a newspaper or magazine interview. Maybe for some readers this is a great fit, but I don't feel like it's a book for someone that's already an expert on the subject matter, and I don't love how the book can't decide if it wants to be a text book, a historical non-fiction book or a REALLY long-form magazine article. Parts that had personal interest to me, khipus, the Curiosity rover on Mars and a potential space elevator were easier for me to understand and read, but other people may glaze over at these sections just as much as I did in others. One thing it mostly does better than other non-fiction history books that focus on a particular item is that it moves forward sequentially in time instead of hopping all over the place. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to @netgalley for this copy of Rope by @timqueeney because it is utterly fascinating. “ the role that rope played in lifting civilization was central,” writes Queeney of his topic. When you really think about our modern life and how we got here, how can rope not be central? Queeney tells us that the oldest specimen of rope was “ determined to be 50 thousand years old,” showing the value that rope has had to humanity. Cleverly written, engaging and enlightening look to pick up a copy this summer! Also, would like to note that as I watched the prince of Egypt I screamed “rope!!” when it came on screen and confused the heck outta my husband

Though a little dry in spots, the subject itself s fascinating. Rope, and the making of it, ranks right up there as one of the most important discoveries of mankind, certainly right up there with the wheel. And from the evidence, rope making is almost as old as humanity. From moving stone for the great pyramids of Egypt to building the earliest to the latest cathedrals of Europe (and be sure to read all about windlasses!) to as simple an act as an old cowboy tying his horse to a rail, the history is will charm you.
Highly recommended.

Tim Queeney's narration about the history of rope and how the braided fibers have been an integral part of civilizations throughout the ages is documented poignantly in his book Rope. Most impressive is the amount of research that Queeney puts into his documentation, traveling back in time to BCE and canvassing the globe from Central Europe and China to the Pacific Islands and the western hemisphere to find evidence of societies making and using rope.

Like the invention of the wheel, Queeney shows how the invention of rope has served civilizations throughout time where humans resided, providing many uses from being a weapon to harm people to being a life saving tool for sailors and others. His narration jumps circas, which can be confusing for readers, moving from BCE to the 21st century and crisscrossing the globe. The stories are not in chronological order but rather organized in a manner that is personalized by Queeney, which may prove to be burdensome for readers.

Rope is an insightful read leaving the audience with the understanding that rope is entirely a human invention, serving multiple cultures and ethnic groups, across time and the globe, and even used for space exploration purposes. It is a book that readers need to devote a great deal time and concentration to fully comprehend and find relevant to their own lives.

I received a free copy of, Rope, Tim Queeney, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The author, Tim Queeney is a sailor, who knows a lot about ropes. This book tells you all you need to know about ropes.

There were some parts of the book I really enjoyed. It provided a good history of rope with some clever wording and humour. And I enjoyed the author’s journey parts. But I found that there was too much specialized vocabulary and some of the explanations were too complex for me, especially those surrounding sailing and knots. I feel that this could have been helped by illustrations. I find pacing is disrupted when I have to stop reading to look things up and this happened a lot in this book. Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance reader copy.

A long, meandering journey into rope that didn’t hit the mark for me. What should have been a well researched history in the manufacturing of rope through the ages devolved into asides into nautical theory, cowboy rope tricks and the theoretical notions of a space-rope elevator. I wanted more on how rope manufacturing evolved instead of so much on how rope is used. I know rope was used for sailing and for nooses so didn’t need a deep dive into that. Just not for me.