Rope is something that is taken for granted, a quiet and forgotten item/craft that most people never really think about. But it helped create most of history, between construction and boats and warfare. The history is really interesting, and even better, Queeney makes it enjoyable reading, adding in little jokes here and there. The only thing I didn't like was that he ends each chapter with what the next chapter is about, which is not necessary.

Sometimes the most mundane item can tell the most fascinating history, and that’s exactly what Tim Queeney tries to do with his epic history of time and civilization told through the story of rope.

I was completely fascinated and impressed at how far back Queeney was able to trace the origins of rope and through how many countless cultures and helped develop. He did a great job, not only detailing a history, but telling a story at the same time.

I also really enjoyed how Queeney goes further and projects onto the future of what rope will look like as it is reinvented in new and modern ways to keep up with with changing technology.

The narrator, Timothy Andrés Pabon does a great job, bringing this adventure to life and creating excitement for this history. His intonation and cadence drives the story and keeps the momentum in peace of this potentially dry material.

Listening to Rope reminded me of the sick days as a kid when I’d turn on the History Channel for something soothing and instead become engrossed in a micro topic for hours. I love monographs in general, but Rope scratches a particular itch for those invisible parts of history we don’t consider, like the gears or perhaps rope pulleys inside the ancient machine of civilization.

The book covers a lot of ground without shying away from some of the darker aspects of rope’s history from lynchings to labor issues. I did at times feel a bit lost, and had to pause to look up Egyptian ship building or splicing to properly visualize and absorb the information. But my desire to do so, even while running on a treadmill, just speaks to the fascinating topic of this book.

I definitely think any sailor, Boy Scout, climber, or other rope adjacent hobbyist would probably have an easier time than I did understanding certain technical aspects over audio. But overall the book is a fascinating look at an object we take for granted, but is a pivotal part of our history.

Thanks to NetGalley & Tantor Audio for the ALC

I love a microhistory and Rope by Tim Queeney was just that. A fascinating look at how a bundle of fibers has transformed the world we live in, Rope takes the reader back to the 15th century, highlighting the myriad discoveries that rope played a part in making. Fast-paced, interesting, and exceptionally well-narrated. I would highly recommend Rope in audio version to prospective readers.

This nonfiction book explores the history of rope and its impacts on human civilization over the course of centuries and across a myriad of cultures.

A few sections that stood out to me include Ancient Egyptian pyramid construction, Greek rope mythology, Norse basswood rope and its use in ocean voyaging, culturally-important knots, Gothic architecture, ropewalks, and transatlantic telegraph cables.

The audiobook is narrated by Timothy Andrés Pabon. I thought he did a good job conveying a lot of information in an engaging manner.

Lovely read! Queeney's background as a magazine writer/editor really shines here. There are lots of quotes from interviews with experts in their respective fields that add so much color to the book. I read on audio and often had to google something to get an image in my head of what he was talking about. I don't know if the text version has photos, but I hope so!

This would make a fantastic gift for anyone who likes niche non fiction. I had so much fun reading this!

Thanks to NetGalley for the free arc, all opinions are my own.