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Red: A History of the Redhead
Red is a brilliantly told, captivating history of red hair throughout the ages. A book that breaks new ground, dispels myths, and reinforces the special nature of being a redhead, with a look at multiple disciplines, including science, religion, politics, feminism and sexuality, literature, and art.
With an obsessive fascination that is as contagious as it is compelling, author Jacky Colliss Harvey (herself a redhead) begins her exploration of red hair in prehistory and traces the redhead gene as it made its way out of Africa with the early human diaspora to its emergence under Northern skies. She goes on to explore red hair in the ancient world; the prejudice manifested against red hair across medieval Europe; red hair during the Renaissance as both an indicator of Jewishness during the Inquisition and the height of fashion in Protestant England, under the reign of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I; the modern age of art and literature, and the first positive symbols of red hair in children's characters; modern medicine and science and the genetic and chemical decoding of red hair; and finally, red hair in contemporary culture, from advertising and exploitation to "gingerism" and the new movement against bullying.
With an obsessive fascination that is as contagious as it is compelling, author Jacky Colliss Harvey (herself a redhead) begins her exploration of red hair in prehistory and traces the redhead gene as it made its way out of Africa with the early human diaspora to its emergence under Northern skies. She goes on to explore red hair in the ancient world; the prejudice manifested against red hair across medieval Europe; red hair during the Renaissance as both an indicator of Jewishness during the Inquisition and the height of fashion in Protestant England, under the reign of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I; the modern age of art and literature, and the first positive symbols of red hair in children's characters; modern medicine and science and the genetic and chemical decoding of red hair; and finally, red hair in contemporary culture, from advertising and exploitation to "gingerism" and the new movement against bullying.
230 pages, Hardcover
First published May 19, 2015
237 people are currently reading
3131 people want to read
About the author
Jacky Colliss Harvey
7 books17 followersJacky Colliss Harvey was born in the wilds of Suffolk, and grew up surrounded by farms and animals. She studied English at Cambridge University and art history at the Courtauld Institute, and putting those two together, went on to a career in the museum world as a writer, editor and publisher. At the same time, her red hair also found her an alternative career as a life model and a film extra, playing everything from a society lady in 'Atonement' to a Parisian whore in 'Bel-Ami'.
Her first book, 'Red: A History of the Redhead,' was a New York Times bestseller, and finally convinced her to write full-time. It was followed by a guided journal, 'My Life As A Redhead,' and in 2019 by 'The Animal's Companion' - an exploration of the 26,000 year love story between people and their pets. Her writing has been praised as 'quirky and deeply perceptive', and as 'witty...wide-ranging and throughly enjoyable.' She lives in London with two very spoiled rescue cats, while her partner lives in New York - so a good deal of her writing is done at 30,000 feet. Whatever her altitude, you can find her on Twitter @JCollissHarvey, and on Instagram as jackycollissharvey.
Her first book, 'Red: A History of the Redhead,' was a New York Times bestseller, and finally convinced her to write full-time. It was followed by a guided journal, 'My Life As A Redhead,' and in 2019 by 'The Animal's Companion' - an exploration of the 26,000 year love story between people and their pets. Her writing has been praised as 'quirky and deeply perceptive', and as 'witty...wide-ranging and throughly enjoyable.' She lives in London with two very spoiled rescue cats, while her partner lives in New York - so a good deal of her writing is done at 30,000 feet. Whatever her altitude, you can find her on Twitter @JCollissHarvey, and on Instagram as jackycollissharvey.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 263 reviews
April 18, 2024
The first thing to keep in mind is that this book is more of a history of art and culture than a proper history book. This is very important to highlight because, as Colliss Harvey's background isn't that of a historian, this book will contain several notable blunders and errors that readers with a background in history will surely notice.
So, take this as a ride through cultural trends about red hair throughout the ages, and nothing else. It doesn't pretend to be anything else, in any case. As an exploration of the various myths, legends, superstitions, and stereotypes that have been created around redheads, it's a fun read; the author obviously has a solid footing in artistic matters from creation of artworks to trends and fashions, so that's going to be the most enlightening parts. The earlier parts, purely evolutionary and historical, not so much.
If you ever wondered why there is so much folklore about red hair as well as meme-like tropes such as them not having a soul, this book is going to answer your questions. All of them, indeed, but not in depth. As I said, it's merely a cultural overview and it's not a long book. But you'll sure get your most pressing questions answered. In my case, most of what I read here was in agreement with what I had already surmissed from bits and pieces elsewhere or guessed on my own, but there was still enough knowledge that kept me reading with interest in spite of the occasional blooper. For example, I didn't know why exactly red hair was the hair of treason (Judas, if you're curious) or where the soulless redhead joke came from (you gotta read the book to find out, I ain't spoilin' it!), and more intriguingly, I wasn't aware that the negative and positive stereotypes and beliefs about redheads were actually gendered! Meaning, there's no uniformity of them applied to male redheads and female redheads.
That was quite intriguing, and perhaps the greatest contribution this book made to my arsenal of general knowledge for when I want to win a trivia game or impress my fiancé. For that alone, the book gets a firm thumbs up from me.
I might have to get a copy for the proud redheads in my tribe...
So, take this as a ride through cultural trends about red hair throughout the ages, and nothing else. It doesn't pretend to be anything else, in any case. As an exploration of the various myths, legends, superstitions, and stereotypes that have been created around redheads, it's a fun read; the author obviously has a solid footing in artistic matters from creation of artworks to trends and fashions, so that's going to be the most enlightening parts. The earlier parts, purely evolutionary and historical, not so much.
If you ever wondered why there is so much folklore about red hair as well as meme-like tropes such as them not having a soul, this book is going to answer your questions. All of them, indeed, but not in depth. As I said, it's merely a cultural overview and it's not a long book. But you'll sure get your most pressing questions answered. In my case, most of what I read here was in agreement with what I had already surmissed from bits and pieces elsewhere or guessed on my own, but there was still enough knowledge that kept me reading with interest in spite of the occasional blooper. For example, I didn't know why exactly red hair was the hair of treason (Judas, if you're curious) or where the soulless redhead joke came from (you gotta read the book to find out, I ain't spoilin' it!), and more intriguingly, I wasn't aware that the negative and positive stereotypes and beliefs about redheads were actually gendered! Meaning, there's no uniformity of them applied to male redheads and female redheads.
That was quite intriguing, and perhaps the greatest contribution this book made to my arsenal of general knowledge for when I want to win a trivia game or impress my fiancé. For that alone, the book gets a firm thumbs up from me.
I might have to get a copy for the proud redheads in my tribe...
August 23, 2015
I learned a lot about red hair and the history of redheads. Amongst other things, I learned the Lucille Ball was not a natural redhead. Gasp!!!! And I disagree with Harvey; artificial redheads do not count as redheads. If the person is coloring his or her hair to retain the red color of youth, that counts, but it has to be truly in your genes I say.
March 25, 2023
4 Stars Red: A History of the Redhead (ebook) by Jacky Colliss Harvey.
This was a fascinating journey and I would have never guessed that it would start in Western Asia. It was interesting to see how redheads were portrayed throughout history and how scientists have found small physical differences that make them special. And it appears that red hair isn’t going away particularly since the most popular hair color is some shade of red.
This was a fascinating journey and I would have never guessed that it would start in Western Asia. It was interesting to see how redheads were portrayed throughout history and how scientists have found small physical differences that make them special. And it appears that red hair isn’t going away particularly since the most popular hair color is some shade of red.
August 14, 2017
I think that Red: A History may be more aptly titled Red: A Memoir. The author included some scientific and anthropological evidence, but none was backed up and most was anecdotal. Don't get me wrong, as a redhead I enjoyed hearing her take. However, I wouldn't consider it an authoritative source of our shared mutated genetic heritage. The author included some statistics that I'd like to say are true, but my only "proof" is personal experience. (Supposedly redheads are more sensitive to cool temperatures. I agree, cold hurts; it's not just uncomfortable, it's actually painful. I need tropical weather!)
I enjoyed her feminist diatribes about red hair in females being considered everything from precocious (Anne of Green Gables) to overtly sexual (Gilda/Rita Hayworth) to positively evil (Lilith). Although all of it was interesting and sometimes amusing, I feel that it's lack of proofs made it unsubstantiated and not to be taken seriously for research. I hope my fellow gingers enjoy the read, but don't commence with too serious an expectation.
I enjoyed her feminist diatribes about red hair in females being considered everything from precocious (Anne of Green Gables) to overtly sexual (Gilda/Rita Hayworth) to positively evil (Lilith). Although all of it was interesting and sometimes amusing, I feel that it's lack of proofs made it unsubstantiated and not to be taken seriously for research. I hope my fellow gingers enjoy the read, but don't commence with too serious an expectation.
January 6, 2016
What an odd book, which wasn't at all what I expected from the title or the cover. This book is a total mishmash, both of substance and style. There's some, but precious little, actual history here. What little is there is interesting, if a bit under-sourced. The rest of the book is assembled pell-mell of scientific and pseudoscientific speculation, art history and art analysis, gossipy celebrity anecdotes, travelogue, and screeds alternately angry and amused about the author's personal experiences as a redhead. The art history parts, which are substantial, are probably the best because that's where Harvey seems most sure-footed. The last chapter is the worst, which reads like an in-flight magazine article about a trip to a redhead festival. Honestly, what this most reads like is a vanity project by someone with a personal ax to grind and little editorial oversight. Which is fine, I guess? Not what I expected or wanted, though. I'm rating this generously on the parts that I liked, even though they comprise a minority of the text.
July 21, 2015
I picked up this book purely on a whim. I have a few red-haired people in my life so I thought it would be an interesting read. And, a couple of years ago, before making “THE BIG DECISION” I read a book about going gray. If nothing else, I do want to be an equal opportunity reader!
“The study of hair, I found out, does not take you to the superficial edge of our society, the place where everything silly and insubstantial must dwell. It takes you, instead, to the center of things.” (Grant McCracken, “Big Hair”, 1995)
If Mr. McCracken’s quote is true then while reading Ms. Harvey’s book I must have been smack dab in the bulls eye. I can’t think of one thing she left out of this very readable, highly enjoyable and extremely educational study of “the redhead”. Why write a book about red hair? Ms. Harvey explains that on the first page when she writes, … “It is, with me, as with many other redheads, the single most significant characteristic of my life. If that sounds a little extreme to you, well, you’re obviously not a redhead, are you?”
Ms. Harvey takes her readers through the origins of red hair. Why did red hair appear some time around 50,000 years ago? Did you know that “the gene for red hair, for pale skin, for freckles, did not originate in Scotland, nor in Ireland, despite the fact that in both those places you will now find the highest proportion of redheads anywhere on Earth”? There is even a map of showing Europe as populated by redheads.
She then goes on to explain the science behind the recessive gene … the MC1R sitting right there on chromosome 16 … that causes red hair. She delves quite deeply into the science behind red hair, while certainly interesting, it does point toward the fact that this book started out as a thesis.
From there the book moves on through the history, historical figures, literature and art exhibiting red hair. Through the ages red hair predisposed our conception of the person’s personality. Men with red hair are definitely not to be trusted. They are scoundrels (Erik the Red), traitors (Judas), not to be trusted (Fagin in Oliver Twist), lecherous (Henry VIII) and according to Cartman, “Gingers have no souls” (South Park) which probably explains why they have a reputation as more likely to come back as vampires. Red haired women on the other hand are “good breeders” (you’ll have to read the science section to get the goods on that comment), very mysterious and intriguing, highly sexual and sexy, and even downright promiscuous (Mary Magdalene is portrayed, more often than not, as a redhead). In the 21st century (because we are ever so much more enlightened??) the attitude that prevails is that red-headed women are regarded as the “executive type: brainy but no-nonsense, and slightly scary to the opposite sex (think Agent Scully in the X-files) while, despite the number of red haired CEO’s men are regarded as “good but effeminate – timid and weak”.
Recently artist and photographer Thomas Knights devoted an entire showing to photographs of red haired men, not only to celebrate “Red Hot Gingers”, but to try to dispel some of the stereotyping.
Some other interesting tidbits I learned …
Red-heads …
… feel more pain than do blonds or brunettes.
… require more anesthesia to knock them out.
… do not bleed more than people with other colors of hair (despite folklore to the contrary).
… do not bruise more easily than others, although they may show bruises more frequently do to (usually) having much fairer skin.
… react badly to cold temperatures, sometimes feeling physical pain at temperatures blondes and brunettes find bearable.
… can tolerate highly spiced (hot) food with less or no discomfort.
… have a higher rate of occurrence of Tourette’s syndrome.
… have a higher rate of occurrence of ADHD.
Ms. Harvey continues on by taking her reader through redheads in art, as icons in the entertainment field and on through to how attitudes are changing in the 21st century.
The city of Breda – approximately 65 miles south of Amsterdam – best known for chocolate, lemonade, licorice and beer, hosts an event called “Redhead Days”. For one weekend redheads from the world over converge on the city to rejoice in being … well, Redheads!
As I stated at the beginning of this review “Red” was a very enjoyable and educational book. I’m glad I picked it up.
“The study of hair, I found out, does not take you to the superficial edge of our society, the place where everything silly and insubstantial must dwell. It takes you, instead, to the center of things.” (Grant McCracken, “Big Hair”, 1995)
If Mr. McCracken’s quote is true then while reading Ms. Harvey’s book I must have been smack dab in the bulls eye. I can’t think of one thing she left out of this very readable, highly enjoyable and extremely educational study of “the redhead”. Why write a book about red hair? Ms. Harvey explains that on the first page when she writes, … “It is, with me, as with many other redheads, the single most significant characteristic of my life. If that sounds a little extreme to you, well, you’re obviously not a redhead, are you?”
Ms. Harvey takes her readers through the origins of red hair. Why did red hair appear some time around 50,000 years ago? Did you know that “the gene for red hair, for pale skin, for freckles, did not originate in Scotland, nor in Ireland, despite the fact that in both those places you will now find the highest proportion of redheads anywhere on Earth”? There is even a map of showing Europe as populated by redheads.
She then goes on to explain the science behind the recessive gene … the MC1R sitting right there on chromosome 16 … that causes red hair. She delves quite deeply into the science behind red hair, while certainly interesting, it does point toward the fact that this book started out as a thesis.
From there the book moves on through the history, historical figures, literature and art exhibiting red hair. Through the ages red hair predisposed our conception of the person’s personality. Men with red hair are definitely not to be trusted. They are scoundrels (Erik the Red), traitors (Judas), not to be trusted (Fagin in Oliver Twist), lecherous (Henry VIII) and according to Cartman, “Gingers have no souls” (South Park) which probably explains why they have a reputation as more likely to come back as vampires. Red haired women on the other hand are “good breeders” (you’ll have to read the science section to get the goods on that comment), very mysterious and intriguing, highly sexual and sexy, and even downright promiscuous (Mary Magdalene is portrayed, more often than not, as a redhead). In the 21st century (because we are ever so much more enlightened??) the attitude that prevails is that red-headed women are regarded as the “executive type: brainy but no-nonsense, and slightly scary to the opposite sex (think Agent Scully in the X-files) while, despite the number of red haired CEO’s men are regarded as “good but effeminate – timid and weak”.
Recently artist and photographer Thomas Knights devoted an entire showing to photographs of red haired men, not only to celebrate “Red Hot Gingers”, but to try to dispel some of the stereotyping.
Some other interesting tidbits I learned …
Red-heads …
… feel more pain than do blonds or brunettes.
… require more anesthesia to knock them out.
… do not bleed more than people with other colors of hair (despite folklore to the contrary).
… do not bruise more easily than others, although they may show bruises more frequently do to (usually) having much fairer skin.
… react badly to cold temperatures, sometimes feeling physical pain at temperatures blondes and brunettes find bearable.
… can tolerate highly spiced (hot) food with less or no discomfort.
… have a higher rate of occurrence of Tourette’s syndrome.
… have a higher rate of occurrence of ADHD.
Ms. Harvey continues on by taking her reader through redheads in art, as icons in the entertainment field and on through to how attitudes are changing in the 21st century.
The city of Breda – approximately 65 miles south of Amsterdam – best known for chocolate, lemonade, licorice and beer, hosts an event called “Redhead Days”. For one weekend redheads from the world over converge on the city to rejoice in being … well, Redheads!
As I stated at the beginning of this review “Red” was a very enjoyable and educational book. I’m glad I picked it up.
July 20, 2015
Perhaps if I had PhDs in Ancient History, Art History and Vocabulary I would not have found this book quite so boring. I had hoped for a cleaner and simpler sort of chronological story of red heads. This was not that. It was a confusing collection circumstantial evidence and much speculation. I was disappointed.
December 9, 2019
We can blame the ancient Greeks, Romans and medieval Europe for the negative stereotypes for redheads, but it's interesting to see how the perception has evolved into modern times. This book is a mix of history, science and personal experiences; a great resource from a redheaded author.
June 19, 2016
Being a redhead, I was quite excited to read this book. What a letdown (really more a 2.5). A dry read. At times comes off in textbook-like fashion and, too often, a science textbook. At other times the author is trying too hard to sound "hip". The author also seems to have carried a real complex throughout her life about being a redhead. Too bad. She does make a claim that redheads in the U.S. aren't teased as vehemently as in other parts of the world (though I did endure some teasing because of my hair color), so maybe this explains it. I will say I always hated having red hair (I was convinced I was adopted at one point) until I was about 11 or 12 and found out that only about 4 percent of the world's population has red hair. From that point on I felt unique and embraced it. I wish the book had concentrated more on the positive aspects of having red hair than focusing so thoroughly on all the negative connotations. Yes, the negative must be explored to give a concise history, but cripes, explore all avenues.
July 1, 2015
Regrettably, not as awesome as I wanted it to be. Some interesting tidbits, though. And the endpapers are LOVELY.
December 28, 2015
A fascinating overview of redheads in history, art and scientific implications of the genetics of hair color.
The original genetic mutation for red hair seems to have come from somewhere between modern Russia and China, but was first spread by the Thracians and later the Vikings. Ashkenazi Jews also carried the trait, as if they didn't have it hard enough in medieval times. The fair skin and ability to make vitamin D gives a slight advantage in northern climes. Red haired women were more likely to survive childbirth.
The most interesting part of the book was red heads in art. Judas was often portrayed as red headed, as was Cain and Shylock. For women, it was mainly Mary Magdalene until the Renaissance. Titian painted so many red heads his name became a synonym for it! And of course the pre-Raphaelites loved painting redheads.
Science is just starting to recognize genetic differences. I was not aware we may need higher anesthesia levels. but I had heard (and agree it is true for me) they have higher pain tolerance for the skin (think of pulling a piece of toast from the toaster). A false idea making the rounds is that the trait is disappearing. It has maintained a steady state of 1-3% in the population.
Even today, there are a lot of stereotypes associated with red hair. Many are negative, especially in Britain where the trait is associated with being Irish or Scottish. Calling someone Ginger is a mild insult there.
The original genetic mutation for red hair seems to have come from somewhere between modern Russia and China, but was first spread by the Thracians and later the Vikings. Ashkenazi Jews also carried the trait, as if they didn't have it hard enough in medieval times. The fair skin and ability to make vitamin D gives a slight advantage in northern climes. Red haired women were more likely to survive childbirth.
The most interesting part of the book was red heads in art. Judas was often portrayed as red headed, as was Cain and Shylock. For women, it was mainly Mary Magdalene until the Renaissance. Titian painted so many red heads his name became a synonym for it! And of course the pre-Raphaelites loved painting redheads.
Science is just starting to recognize genetic differences. I was not aware we may need higher anesthesia levels. but I had heard (and agree it is true for me) they have higher pain tolerance for the skin (think of pulling a piece of toast from the toaster). A false idea making the rounds is that the trait is disappearing. It has maintained a steady state of 1-3% in the population.
Even today, there are a lot of stereotypes associated with red hair. Many are negative, especially in Britain where the trait is associated with being Irish or Scottish. Calling someone Ginger is a mild insult there.
October 27, 2015
Harvey's background is in art history, so the majority of the book covers the redheads who were models and the symbolism of different objects going back to 330 BC. Some of the paintings are reprinted in the book which is a great help--I'm not going to stop reading to goggle paintings. (If you read this on an e-reader, can you just click on the footnote to see it? That would be amazing.) I really think Harvey could have made that aspect a book on its own.
Some other parts (about the DNA) were pretty dry and I think there could have been much more on current redheads and psycho-babble on the affects on society. For example, did Nicole Kidman act differently when she was a redhead? What's the possibility of future redheaded prince/sses from Prince Harry? How has Ron Howard changed the stereotype of redheaded men?
I feel a little let down that a "history" of the redhead is only 218 pages. :(
I never thought Tintin was a redhead--always though he was blond!![]()
Some other parts (about the DNA) were pretty dry and I think there could have been much more on current redheads and psycho-babble on the affects on society. For example, did Nicole Kidman act differently when she was a redhead? What's the possibility of future redheaded prince/sses from Prince Harry? How has Ron Howard changed the stereotype of redheaded men?
I feel a little let down that a "history" of the redhead is only 218 pages. :(
I never thought Tintin was a redhead--always though he was blond!
June 23, 2015
Really enjoyied this. It's so fun. And fascinating. Filled with the faux and factual, fallacious, fabled, familiar, facetious, fabricated, fanatical, farfetched, fashionable, fancy, faddish, fatuous, and even fanged. Recommend to anyone for a fun summer read, but especially to the redheads (natural or not).
I finished RED with a tear in my eye (really) - but I read it with laughter and wonder.
I finished RED with a tear in my eye (really) - but I read it with laughter and wonder.
September 15, 2015
A social history of the redhead. At its best as an art history book. Colliss Harvey clearly knows her art. The journey through the redhead in art from greek slaves to biblical characters to the pre-raphaelites is great.
April 6, 2016
This was a fun read especially for someone who has some ginger in them or is close to some gingers.
December 26, 2018
Many years ago I had a conversation with a group of women on a short car drive, where the subject of the hair colour of boyfriends came up. As the partner of a redhead I said "Redheads are different" - the two who had also dated redheads agreed with my rather sweeping statement, the two who disagreed had never dated a redhead.
The question then, at the back of my mind ever since is Why are redheads different? I still live with the same red haired guy today, though it's more salt and pepper these days (when he doesn't shave it off completely, at the time of that car conversation he had bright copper hair that reached down to his waist) and the question has never really been answered to my satisfaction. I was really hoping that this book would have some answers, but it was frustratingly not to be.
This is not in itself a bad book, but it was an annoying one. This could be down to the fact that this is more of a personal story by the author than an actual history book. It seems to be well researched, given the numerous citations listed, but the research sometimes fails to truly illustrate the point the author is making. The story flits, butterfly light, from one subject to the next, never really stopping long enough to make an impact before skipping over to the next topic. This is particularly true of the more scientific parts of the book, which are scattered randomly when a solid chapter would have made more sense. Where the author does score is with the solid section on the use of redheaded subjects in the history of art and literature, particularly with the pre-Raphaelite painting. This is hardly surprising given the authors background in English and art history, but it makes the book feels unbalanced in some ways.
The final part of the book is possibly the most interesting as the author visits the Redheaded Festival in Breda, where she finds herself surrounded by thousands of redheads of all hues. Here she makes some valid points about the history of the other, and how as a species we have a tendency to discriminate against anyone who is different. In my mind this might have made more of an impact earlier on in the book.
So, I gave it 3 stars because it was relatively quick and easy to read, even it I didn't find the answers I was looking for.
The question then, at the back of my mind ever since is Why are redheads different? I still live with the same red haired guy today, though it's more salt and pepper these days (when he doesn't shave it off completely, at the time of that car conversation he had bright copper hair that reached down to his waist) and the question has never really been answered to my satisfaction. I was really hoping that this book would have some answers, but it was frustratingly not to be.
This is not in itself a bad book, but it was an annoying one. This could be down to the fact that this is more of a personal story by the author than an actual history book. It seems to be well researched, given the numerous citations listed, but the research sometimes fails to truly illustrate the point the author is making. The story flits, butterfly light, from one subject to the next, never really stopping long enough to make an impact before skipping over to the next topic. This is particularly true of the more scientific parts of the book, which are scattered randomly when a solid chapter would have made more sense. Where the author does score is with the solid section on the use of redheaded subjects in the history of art and literature, particularly with the pre-Raphaelite painting. This is hardly surprising given the authors background in English and art history, but it makes the book feels unbalanced in some ways.
The final part of the book is possibly the most interesting as the author visits the Redheaded Festival in Breda, where she finds herself surrounded by thousands of redheads of all hues. Here she makes some valid points about the history of the other, and how as a species we have a tendency to discriminate against anyone who is different. In my mind this might have made more of an impact earlier on in the book.
So, I gave it 3 stars because it was relatively quick and easy to read, even it I didn't find the answers I was looking for.
October 8, 2023
Interesting read. Just wish the chapters were a bit more specific to one topic. At times the story would jump from the topic of red headed women to vikings to a poet from the 19th century, and it was all a bit difficult to follow.
May 20, 2016
A must read for real redheads, and those who love or live with one. As a true carrot (I never encountered the word "ginger" until a few years ago), I had picked some extra information here and there over the years about the genetic uniqueness of possessing red hair, as experienced the ribbing and attention and occasional malice that comes from other hair colors. Harvey added some extra and fun information to my pool of redhead knowledge, and also made me feel pretty damn special about being among the few and proud that are truly red. Perfectly well written and enjoyable.
January 13, 2021
I assumed this book would tackle the subject from an anthropological and sociological perspective but about 80% of this book is about art history and the other 20% the author comparing her experience getting teased as a redhead to racism so I wasnt here for any of it. If art history is your jam you may enjoy it.
June 15, 2015
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
It's a light, airy, yet scholarly look at the history of the perceptions of the red head. Not bad, although I suspect the author had a grand old time feeling sorry for herself throughout.
Interesting, but somewhat frivolous, I think.
It's a light, airy, yet scholarly look at the history of the perceptions of the red head. Not bad, although I suspect the author had a grand old time feeling sorry for herself throughout.
Interesting, but somewhat frivolous, I think.
December 25, 2024
got this book as a gift from grandma. i’ve forgotten i’m not all that into history books (sorry, this is my truth) but i did actually enjoy this a lot. learned a lot about perceptions of red hair throughout the ages and the origins of certain stereotypes. definitely made me examine my identity as a redhead, which i haven’t given much devoted thought to before. overall, a cool read.
October 12, 2017
Despite a historical inaccuracy or two, a refreshingly global look at a microhistory - not just Euro-centric!
-- Sarah, Dyer-Schererville Branch
-- Sarah, Dyer-Schererville Branch
March 8, 2017
I'm waffling between 2 1/2 and 3 stars on this one. The parts I liked, the art history and genetics chapters, keep pushing up my rating; the other parts keep dunking it under that three star level. I felt the whole thing badly needed a firm editorial hand to give it some focus.
The book started off well enough with examples of red hair showing up throughout history in the arts (primarily visual art). There are generous illustrations, but it would have been more convenient had the publisher put them in the text where the reader could look at the art work while reading about it rather than putting them all in the front. (This is in reference to the e-book version.)
The section on genetics was basic and a little outdated, but interesting. I did wonder about some of the information since the only source she cites for that old chestnut about redheads and anesthesia is from the early 2000s. The author claims she talked with anesthesiologists and doctors who swear the anesthesia-redhead connection is true. I know several who will swear it is pure bunk. Google is hardly helpful since it's possible to cherry-pick studies claiming either.
While the author tends to go off on tangents and insert herself into the text too much for my taste. (We get it: you were in a movie. As an extra. Because you're a redhead. It's not that big a deal that it needs to be brought up more than once.)
One thing I did learn is that the author seems to feel the term "ginger" is slightly derogatory. I find that surprising. It's a term just starting to enter mainstream use in the US, and I think it is far more polite and innocuous than "redhead."
Somewhere around the halfway mark, things went completely off the rails for me. It got self-absorbed and ranty, going on and on about bullying and how people don't respect the personal space of redheads and how very special it is to be part of that exclusive genetic club. This sort of threaded its way through bits about redheads in literature and films, chapters that were disjointed and desperately in want of a firm editorial hand, and then it all ends up in this bizarre road trip to a red hair festival where the author can't seem to decide if she's looking for "her tribe" or sad that she suddenly isn't all that exotic in the crowd there. Then, it just...ends.
I guess I can't relate. Or maybe I relate, but think it came off as too much "speshul snowflake" self-indulgence instead of a fact-based look at an intriguing genetic quirk. While the author goes to pains to convince us that being a redhead is THE most rare hair color, as a natural white-blonde, I disagree. I see your 2% and raise (or maybe lower?) you a 0.006% So, yes, people will comment, touch without permission, make all kinds of comments both complimentary and derogatory, and repeat all manner of outrageous (and often amusing) myths and wives tales. Yep, you're going to get teased and most likely bullied because kids will tease and bully anyone who deviates in anyway from the local average. That's what kids do when parents aren't watching. (And it's what some adults do, too.) You know what? You set personal boundaries, speak up for yourself, and you get the hell over both it and yourself. You don't rant about it for a hundred pages in something you claim is a "scholarly look" at a topic. Not if you want to keep the attention of readers.
So, I suppose there's my own rant. But I'm not charging anyone $14.99 to read it. :)
Conclusion: Worth reading for the art history. Treat the genetics as possibly obsolete and shallowly researched. Unless one is a fan of speculation about celebrities and combination brag-whinging, ignore the last third of it.
The book started off well enough with examples of red hair showing up throughout history in the arts (primarily visual art). There are generous illustrations, but it would have been more convenient had the publisher put them in the text where the reader could look at the art work while reading about it rather than putting them all in the front. (This is in reference to the e-book version.)
The section on genetics was basic and a little outdated, but interesting. I did wonder about some of the information since the only source she cites for that old chestnut about redheads and anesthesia is from the early 2000s. The author claims she talked with anesthesiologists and doctors who swear the anesthesia-redhead connection is true. I know several who will swear it is pure bunk. Google is hardly helpful since it's possible to cherry-pick studies claiming either.
While the author tends to go off on tangents and insert herself into the text too much for my taste. (We get it: you were in a movie. As an extra. Because you're a redhead. It's not that big a deal that it needs to be brought up more than once.)
One thing I did learn is that the author seems to feel the term "ginger" is slightly derogatory. I find that surprising. It's a term just starting to enter mainstream use in the US, and I think it is far more polite and innocuous than "redhead."
Somewhere around the halfway mark, things went completely off the rails for me. It got self-absorbed and ranty, going on and on about bullying and how people don't respect the personal space of redheads and how very special it is to be part of that exclusive genetic club. This sort of threaded its way through bits about redheads in literature and films, chapters that were disjointed and desperately in want of a firm editorial hand, and then it all ends up in this bizarre road trip to a red hair festival where the author can't seem to decide if she's looking for "her tribe" or sad that she suddenly isn't all that exotic in the crowd there. Then, it just...ends.
I guess I can't relate. Or maybe I relate, but think it came off as too much "speshul snowflake" self-indulgence instead of a fact-based look at an intriguing genetic quirk. While the author goes to pains to convince us that being a redhead is THE most rare hair color, as a natural white-blonde, I disagree. I see your 2% and raise (or maybe lower?) you a 0.006% So, yes, people will comment, touch without permission, make all kinds of comments both complimentary and derogatory, and repeat all manner of outrageous (and often amusing) myths and wives tales. Yep, you're going to get teased and most likely bullied because kids will tease and bully anyone who deviates in anyway from the local average. That's what kids do when parents aren't watching. (And it's what some adults do, too.) You know what? You set personal boundaries, speak up for yourself, and you get the hell over both it and yourself. You don't rant about it for a hundred pages in something you claim is a "scholarly look" at a topic. Not if you want to keep the attention of readers.
So, I suppose there's my own rant. But I'm not charging anyone $14.99 to read it. :)
Conclusion: Worth reading for the art history. Treat the genetics as possibly obsolete and shallowly researched. Unless one is a fan of speculation about celebrities and combination brag-whinging, ignore the last third of it.
January 23, 2016
Interesting. I was pleasantly surprised and intrigued to find a book on this topic, and I did learn some tidbits I didn't know about redheads -- fragrances on redheads smell differently because of a more acidic mantle?! Some of the Uyghur people are redheads in Asia!
There are beautiful redheads on the Solomon Islands!
On the downside, the book is pretty haphazardly organized. The writing is conversational and accessible in tone, but sporadically jumps from topic to topic, only to unexpectedly return to a topic some 75 pages later (seriously). Even within the same paragraph you think one topic is being discussed, and it suddenly shifts in a different direction, never to return to the original train of thought. Similarly, the chapter titles only extremely loosely guide what is discussed in the chapter, often meandering in other directions, never quite tackling the topic of the original chapter title.
The historical conclusions often felt suspect or poorly supported to this skeptic, but the history and art analysis was described in such an engaging way that made me want to drop everything and read more on the history of some of these ancient people. So props to Jacky Colliss Harvey for turning me in to an excited ancient history student!
I most enjoyed the latter portion of the book exploring physiology and the scientific backing for differences in redheads to the general population, and wished the author had explored more thoroughly the social dynamics that seem to vary so widely in different parts of the globe towards redheads.
All in all, interesting tidbits (which is how this book earned three stars, despite the meandering topic "progression"), but the (lack of organization) in the book does make it a bit challenging.
There are beautiful redheads on the Solomon Islands!
On the downside, the book is pretty haphazardly organized. The writing is conversational and accessible in tone, but sporadically jumps from topic to topic, only to unexpectedly return to a topic some 75 pages later (seriously). Even within the same paragraph you think one topic is being discussed, and it suddenly shifts in a different direction, never to return to the original train of thought. Similarly, the chapter titles only extremely loosely guide what is discussed in the chapter, often meandering in other directions, never quite tackling the topic of the original chapter title.
The historical conclusions often felt suspect or poorly supported to this skeptic, but the history and art analysis was described in such an engaging way that made me want to drop everything and read more on the history of some of these ancient people. So props to Jacky Colliss Harvey for turning me in to an excited ancient history student!
I most enjoyed the latter portion of the book exploring physiology and the scientific backing for differences in redheads to the general population, and wished the author had explored more thoroughly the social dynamics that seem to vary so widely in different parts of the globe towards redheads.
All in all, interesting tidbits (which is how this book earned three stars, despite the meandering topic "progression"), but the (lack of organization) in the book does make it a bit challenging.
August 22, 2015
The introduction to this book is fantastic. Seriously, it's super engaging and made me so excited to read the rest of the book. The first few chapters, dealing with the history of red-haired people in different cultures, was decently interesting. Then comes the discussion of the redhead in art. Ay caramba. The book quickly turned from interesting enough to one of the most boring books I have ever read. First of all, if you're going to talk about art, you might want to make sure that the book is designed to make it easy to flip back and forth between the descriptions of the artwork and the photos of the artwork. This book has deckled edges. You know what makes it really hard to find those laminated pages just by running your finger over the edge? DECKLED EDGES. Also, why split the photo section into three parts, spaced throughout the book? Why not stick them all together in the middle so they're easier to find and less flipping around is required by the reader?
Anyway, since I won this book from Goodreads as a First Reads prize, I felt obligated to finish it and review it. The only problem is, it was kind of like watching paint dry, so this book became my "toilet book." You know what I'm talking about. It sat next to the toilet and I read a few paragraphs or pages here and there when I felt inclined to do so. I finally finished the sucker today at lunch when I realized I only had like 20 pages left and I have a stack of other First Reads books to attend to. Two stars because I did actually learn a few things.
Anyway, since I won this book from Goodreads as a First Reads prize, I felt obligated to finish it and review it. The only problem is, it was kind of like watching paint dry, so this book became my "toilet book." You know what I'm talking about. It sat next to the toilet and I read a few paragraphs or pages here and there when I felt inclined to do so. I finally finished the sucker today at lunch when I realized I only had like 20 pages left and I have a stack of other First Reads books to attend to. Two stars because I did actually learn a few things.
September 25, 2016
Well, this was truly illuminating. I bought this for my 13-year-old redheaded granddaughter, but will NOT be presenting her with it this year after all. A bit earthy for such a youngster, but fascinating reading for adults (will give it to her mama!!! :). And who knew we now celebrate global Redhead Days? Favorite quote: "A world that can't deal with something as small and insignificant as people whose hair is a different color is one where there is little hope of dealing with any of the problems created by those far bigger issues, of different skins, different faiths, different loves, different lives. It's not simple at all.
But who wants to live in a world where we don't try!"
Recommended for anyone who has red hair or knows someone with red hair (that means you!)
But who wants to live in a world where we don't try!"
Recommended for anyone who has red hair or knows someone with red hair (that means you!)
May 28, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. I really found it fascinating. It's not necessarily the most exciting read but it doesn't set out to be that I don't believe. This is a wonderful mix of scientific fact and reasoning mixed with a good helping of history and a large amount of art history. The author explores the history of red hair from the introduction of the gene to the expression of said gene and then she begins on the history of how red hair has been perceived by people throughout the centuries. It was a brilliant read, peppered with the author's own experiences and wit and truly gorgeous art and illustrations. It really made me look back on my own experiences as a red head and it opened my eyes to so many more. I'm so glad I decided to pick it up.
August 6, 2020
I was disappointed to say the least:/ this book was all over the place in terms of writing. One minute tour reading about Mary Magdalene and then Lucille ball and then jump back to Lilith. The book has no time line to keep up with. The chapters are extremely long and jumbled together and I started getting into it at the end but then was lost when they state artificial redheads are redhead. I didn’t buy a book about the history of redheads to hear fake facts. I want to know about ppl born as redheads not the celebrities that paved their way by dyeing their hair red bc all of a sudden we became popular. If you love history from Christ to 1800s then this is the book for you, maybe.
June 25, 2016
History meets humour. Harvey writes about the natural history of the Redhead and covers a lot material from way way back through to those foxy ladies winning awards today.
A friend recommendation. This one from a mate who has been dating a redhead for a while now. She (the redhead) is also a close friend. So, it was cool to read something about how the 'red' gene came to be, how it's been glorified and condemned, and how those gingers can celebrate the gingerness themselves. It's a good read and at times, entertaining. Not what I would claim to be an enthralling read but good nonetheless.
A friend recommendation. This one from a mate who has been dating a redhead for a while now. She (the redhead) is also a close friend. So, it was cool to read something about how the 'red' gene came to be, how it's been glorified and condemned, and how those gingers can celebrate the gingerness themselves. It's a good read and at times, entertaining. Not what I would claim to be an enthralling read but good nonetheless.
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