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.

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.

I'm one of those people who love learning about most anything.....including rope. And who better to document the past, present and future of rope than a man whose interest includes all things marine related, where rope in all it's forms fills an important place in the everyday duties of a sailor. From the first examples of a braided or twisted cable to a metal filament to even the macrame rope I use in my plantings, rope has many uses and types. A fascinating look at an everyday item most people use without thought.

This is a well-written, well researched and engaging book about rope. The author’s voice is conversational and enthusiastic as they share not only a special interest, in detail, but their fascination at just how much of our lives revolve around rope through it’s many descendants. Shoelaces, hair ties, belts, horse tack, boats, search and rescue, construction, mountain climbing, fishing, and hunting … rope is everywhere in some form or incarnation.

Knots were used in Inkan writing, in Huichol calendars, various religions, and in so many ways in so many cultures. Honestly, I didn’t know there was so much to know about rope and how it shaped so many facets of human life because it’s so ubiquitous. I’ve never lived in a world where I couldn’t just go to a store and buy twine, rope, or yarn, so much so that I never gave it a thought. And now, having read this book, I know a little more about it — how long it’s been a part of human civilization and how much we still rely on it, whether it’s made of fiber, synthetic materials, or even metal.

This is an excellent book if you’re interested in non fiction trivia books with a focus on history and civilization. It’s easy to read, and quick, and is well worth the read. Thank you so very much to Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC!

I saw an article--well, a piece of an article, didn't read the whole thing--about hiring practices in the railroad industry. The rule of thumb for recruiters was this: only hire people who do not express any interest in trains whatsoever. I do not know that this is true, but the rationale behind it is that there are people out there who like trains, and they tend to really like trains, to the point that they will not shut up about trains, ever, not even for a minute, and while you might tolerate one person like that in a workplace, if you get two of them they will be at each other's throat in nanoseconds, arguing about whatever it is that people who like trains argue about.

The point of this is that there is enthusiasm, and then there is, you know, enthusiasm. Tim Queeney is an enthusiast about rope, and he has written an excellent book that is about rope, and thank goodness this is in a book because one suspects that if you were sitting in the middle seat of a Boeing traveling from Seattle to Boston, and Tim Queeney had the window seat, you would hear more about rope than you would ever want to hear. Did you know that they used rope to build the Pyramids? Didja? Didja? Want to know what it was made out of? What the Vikings made their rope out of? This is all in Queeney's book, which is not only very well done, but something that you can put down when you want to.

I am teasing the poor author a bit here, which is not nice, but he does admit to being an enthusiast and it's palpable throughout the book, anyway. It is a very interesting read, over not only the whole history of rope (which we know less about than we should because rope decays) but the far future of ropes and cabling and space elevators and all that. This is the book you should read if you like this sort of thing, the sort of book that the mean people in the car insurance commercials tell you not to read because it will make you turn into your parents. Outstanding work of dad-core here.

I really enjoyed reading this book! The author uncovered the essence of rope; its uses in past and present. It's evident that Mr. Queeney did his research. Each chapter was a new and exciting venture! My favorite part was when the author reflected on why rope is special and memorable to him.

I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Tim Queeney starts the book describing his personal connection to rope, which is tied to his father. He goes through different points in history to provide a description and anecdote of how rope is used, including in the Egyptian pyramids, Stonehenge, sailing, fishing, building and construction, spiritual and ceremonial reasons, punishments, and others. His writing is engaging and the stories interesting. I enjoyed reading the book.

Rope by Tim Queeney offers an unexpected deep dive into a topic most of us take for granted. I'm not sure I would say that rope is "the backbone of civilization", but the author does explore how rope has literally and figuratively held the world together. From Ötzi's death from a flint arrowhead, to pyramid building in ancient Egypt, how rope was used in punishment, and how important rope was in landing Curiosity on Mars, the subject is more fascinating than it might seem at first glance. The book shines when it leans into quirky historical tidbits and surprising innovations.

That said, the tone can be a bit uneven—sometimes breezy and humorous, other times overly detailed or dry. It reads more like a collection of rope-related anecdotes than a cohesive narrative, which may work for some readers but felt slightly disjointed to me. This book is crying out for illustrations! I often wished for visuals and diagrams to complement the content, especially in the more technical sections. I found myself searching the internet often while I read so I could picture pyramid building, khipu, and ropewalks. Still, it’s a solid read if you enjoy niche histories or just enjoy learning how everyday things came to be. Not quite gripping from start to finish, but it was informative. Three and a half stars rounded down.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a copy of this book. It will be published on August 12, 2025.

Rope, by Tim Queeney, is well-written, well-researched, and informative. I appreciated the droll humour and the interesting and anecdotal style. General readers as well as historical fiction researchers will find this book to be a good resource.

If you enjoyed the books Salt and Cod, this is right up your alley! Fact filled and immersive, Tim Queeney sails along from the earliest days to the space age. Being a sailor, Mr. Queeney recognizes the importance of all the lines of a sailing ship. He sails through the centuries and ends his book in the space age. What a remarkable ending to remind us that it was various lines that allowed the landing of the Rover on Mars. In between then and now, he takes us on a great journey through the adaptation of rope. Fact filled, who knew that the word lynch originated from two brothers? Who knew that the USS Constitution is held together with miles of rope that has to be changed out yearly. This is a great read, lots of fun and inspiring and thoughtfully written. Queeney has taken an everyday object and has turned it into something special! Highly recommended reading…brilliant!

Fascinating read of the history of rope and how it began, evolved, and continues to be used. A very detailed a count. Great for readers that enjoy digging deeply into this subject. The author definitely did his research & kept the reader engaged in such a unique subject matter. This book won't be for everyone but it was an enjoyable read.