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The Stuff of History: A Curated Compendium of Curious Objects and Forgotten People
'Moore is wickedly charming - the naughty uncle you want to be sat beside at the dinner table' -
Daily Telegraph
Too often history focuses on the tales of kings, or those (often men) who were given the credit for shaping our stories. Yet, what fascinates most are the figures who have passed through the cracks of history, people
- The fourteen-year-old boy who lived undetected in the chimneys of Buckingham Palace
- Archie Lee, the re-inventor of Santa Claus
- The women at Playtex who helped put the first man on the moon
- Unknown war hero Tommy Brown, whose extraordinary bravery helped the code breakers of Bletchley
But it's not just forgotten heroes that you'll meet, this compendium also reveals the curious back stories behind everyday objects - the humble fork, the china cup, the real history of tea, and Queen Victoria's underwear - to name but a few.
The Stuff of History is a thoughtful, entertaining and carefully curated miscellany of fascinating forgotten histories from Antiques Roadshow stalwart, and popular historian with a huge Instagram following, Steven Moore.
Too often history focuses on the tales of kings, or those (often men) who were given the credit for shaping our stories. Yet, what fascinates most are the figures who have passed through the cracks of history, people
- The fourteen-year-old boy who lived undetected in the chimneys of Buckingham Palace
- Archie Lee, the re-inventor of Santa Claus
- The women at Playtex who helped put the first man on the moon
- Unknown war hero Tommy Brown, whose extraordinary bravery helped the code breakers of Bletchley
But it's not just forgotten heroes that you'll meet, this compendium also reveals the curious back stories behind everyday objects - the humble fork, the china cup, the real history of tea, and Queen Victoria's underwear - to name but a few.
The Stuff of History is a thoughtful, entertaining and carefully curated miscellany of fascinating forgotten histories from Antiques Roadshow stalwart, and popular historian with a huge Instagram following, Steven Moore.
- GenresNonfictionAudiobook
235 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 9, 2025
65 people are currently reading
432 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Review of advance copy
No idea why it says this is pre publication.... I got it from the library.
The information in the book is interesting but the writing style is not for me. I wish the author would've stated at the start of a chapter what the actual topic was, some chapters were rather confusing. Also hated the constant "we are in x time at x place", especially multiple times in a chapter.
Interesting enough to keep reading but a different style mightve made it unputdownable.
Very abrupt ending!
(also people aren't "stuff". I thought this was going to be about items)
The information in the book is interesting but the writing style is not for me. I wish the author would've stated at the start of a chapter what the actual topic was, some chapters were rather confusing. Also hated the constant "we are in x time at x place", especially multiple times in a chapter.
Interesting enough to keep reading but a different style mightve made it unputdownable.
Very abrupt ending!
(also people aren't "stuff". I thought this was going to be about items)
January 4, 2026
Last month I was looking for an audiobook I could listen to while wrapping Christmas presents and writing Christmas cards and selected The Stuff of History: A Curated Compendium of Curious Objects and Forgotten People by Steven Moore. Steven Moore is probably best known for being a TV presenter on Antiques Roadshow and Antiques Roadtrip and has been an antiques dealer, auctioneer, museum curator, author and journalist. What he offers in The Stuff of History is a compilation of topics and subjects from across different periods in history and from all around the world; sometimes focussing on a person and other times on an object.
One of my favourite chapters was the story of the 14 year old boy who broke into Buckingham Palace between 1838-1841 and allegedly lived there in secret by hiding in rooms and chimneys. He was eventually caught but not before he stole a pair of Queen Victoria's underwear and it was quite the scandal at the time.
The blurb prepares the reader for a carefully curated miscellany and the publishers couldn't have described the contents more accurately. The author clearly chose subjects he was was fond of, but the selection didn't seem to contain any unifying theme or overarching common thread. The history of the Resolute Desk in the White House sits comfortably alongside the rise of Chinese porcelain and the evolution of the fork. The frequent format of introduction: ('It is the 26th July and we're in London, it's 1935' and 'It is the 20th of June 1952 and we're in Long Beach California') became repetitive very quickly and in response I began to mentally prepare a list of alternatives to 'it is this and we are here'.
The audiobook is narrated by the author himself and readers will enjoy his voice and accent which is perfect for the subject matter being presented. However, the book doesn't seem to reach a logical conclusion, the last object is presented and that's it. This format could have gone on for another 20 chapters but I was hoping for a concluding chapter summarising the book and perhaps providing the reader with a glimpse into the world of antiques, how the author began his career or resources for those looking to learn more about antiques and history in general.
Instead, we're given a quiz at the end which I'll admit was an inspired inclusion. I was initially all for it but the author chose obscure facts from each chapter instead of asking questions that would help cement an important historical fact in the memory of the reader which was a lost opportunity in my opinion.
The Stuff of History by Steven Moore will appeal to readers with an obscure interest in history who want to feel as though they're dipping into a range of books covering art, collectibles, antiques and social history.
One of my favourite chapters was the story of the 14 year old boy who broke into Buckingham Palace between 1838-1841 and allegedly lived there in secret by hiding in rooms and chimneys. He was eventually caught but not before he stole a pair of Queen Victoria's underwear and it was quite the scandal at the time.
The blurb prepares the reader for a carefully curated miscellany and the publishers couldn't have described the contents more accurately. The author clearly chose subjects he was was fond of, but the selection didn't seem to contain any unifying theme or overarching common thread. The history of the Resolute Desk in the White House sits comfortably alongside the rise of Chinese porcelain and the evolution of the fork. The frequent format of introduction: ('It is the 26th July and we're in London, it's 1935' and 'It is the 20th of June 1952 and we're in Long Beach California') became repetitive very quickly and in response I began to mentally prepare a list of alternatives to 'it is this and we are here'.
The audiobook is narrated by the author himself and readers will enjoy his voice and accent which is perfect for the subject matter being presented. However, the book doesn't seem to reach a logical conclusion, the last object is presented and that's it. This format could have gone on for another 20 chapters but I was hoping for a concluding chapter summarising the book and perhaps providing the reader with a glimpse into the world of antiques, how the author began his career or resources for those looking to learn more about antiques and history in general.
Instead, we're given a quiz at the end which I'll admit was an inspired inclusion. I was initially all for it but the author chose obscure facts from each chapter instead of asking questions that would help cement an important historical fact in the memory of the reader which was a lost opportunity in my opinion.
The Stuff of History by Steven Moore will appeal to readers with an obscure interest in history who want to feel as though they're dipping into a range of books covering art, collectibles, antiques and social history.
Review of advance copy
The Stuff of History van Steven Moore is zo’n boek dat je niet van begin tot eind móét lezen, maar dat je steeds weer oppakt voor “nog één hoofdstuk”. Het is geschiedenis op mensenmaat: korte, levendige verhalen over vergeten figuren en alledaagse voorwerpen die samen een verrassend rijk beeld van het verleden schetsen.
Moore richt zijn blik nadrukkelijk op wat vaak tussen de kieren van de geschiedenis verdwijnt. Onbekende helden, voetnoten die nooit hoofdtekst werden, en objecten die zo vanzelfsprekend zijn dat we vergeten dat ze ooit zijn uitgevonden. Een vork, een theekopje, een kerstbal, een gebruik of gewoonte: ineens blijkt er een heel verhaal achter te zitten dat iets zegt over macht, cultuur en hoe mensen samenleven.
De stijl is licht en verhalend, soms geestig, bijna alsof je luistert naar een goede verteller aan tafel die eindeloos sterke anekdotes paraat heeft. Dit is geen academisch werk met zware analyses, maar een bundel verhalen die uitnodigt tot doorvertellen. Juist daardoor werkt het zo goed: geschiedenis wordt tastbaar en speels, zonder zijn betekenis te verliezen.
Moore richt zijn blik nadrukkelijk op wat vaak tussen de kieren van de geschiedenis verdwijnt. Onbekende helden, voetnoten die nooit hoofdtekst werden, en objecten die zo vanzelfsprekend zijn dat we vergeten dat ze ooit zijn uitgevonden. Een vork, een theekopje, een kerstbal, een gebruik of gewoonte: ineens blijkt er een heel verhaal achter te zitten dat iets zegt over macht, cultuur en hoe mensen samenleven.
De stijl is licht en verhalend, soms geestig, bijna alsof je luistert naar een goede verteller aan tafel die eindeloos sterke anekdotes paraat heeft. Dit is geen academisch werk met zware analyses, maar een bundel verhalen die uitnodigt tot doorvertellen. Juist daardoor werkt het zo goed: geschiedenis wordt tastbaar en speels, zonder zijn betekenis te verliezen.
Review of advance copy
The content and historical anecdotes are interesting enough. However, I really think the book is best consumed as an audiobook. Moore narrates it in his fantastic North East English accent. I only know the author from Instagram and having no interest in tea cups or other curios that have obviously made his career. Nevertheless, I'm always engaged by his presentation. He's a spectacular narrator of his own prose.
January 17, 2026
In general, a good set of stories about different objects and a few really interesting facts.
Disappointed, however, in that he repeats the now discredited “facts” about corsets. They were worn by millions as a support garment. To allow the abuse by a few and bad medical science on a minuscule number of extreme examples to dominate as historical truths for the majority experience has to stop.
Also, I think the adjective “Kardashian” will not age well.
Disappointed, however, in that he repeats the now discredited “facts” about corsets. They were worn by millions as a support garment. To allow the abuse by a few and bad medical science on a minuscule number of extreme examples to dominate as historical truths for the majority experience has to stop.
Also, I think the adjective “Kardashian” will not age well.
November 15, 2025
Witty and funny, full to the brim with curiosities and details illuminating History and our mysterious ways 🙃
Review of advance copy
Full of whimsical facts to delight your dinner guests, especially when they are not able to leave the table.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews