In Miniature by Simon Garfield is a book that deserves four stars. It was an interesting read. All the details made for an engrossing book.

I put together the newspaper's Books section annual gift guide again this season and was delighted to include this book as a selection in The Globe and Mail's massive Best Holiday Gift Books package (December 7, 2019).

A charming, informative piece of nonfiction with some big ideas about some very tiny objects.

Simon Garfield takes us on a delightful tour of some of the world’s most fascinating miniatures and the places they occupy in history.

While Garfield gives us thorough and often humorous object-based descriptions of the miniatures he features, he also gives us something else that is of greater importance: The contextualist perspective on *why* these objects were made, the importance they held, and of course, why they were so appealing in miniature form.

Garfield gives us both the macro and the micro of the aforementioned appeal of miniatures (why does the concept of the miniature appeal to us in general and why were some of the items discussed in the book specifically singled out for such treatment?)

Particularly compelling were the sections on England’s Playrooms, Dollhouses, Las Vegas, and Germany’s Tiny Chairs, though every section in the book is well done.

I have no real complaints about the book, all positive save for one tiny thing: I wish Garfield hadn’t made reference to Jessie Burton’s novel The Miniaturist, which dealt with one of my favorite pieces of Dutch art and was, in my opinion, an extremely poor effort on the topic.

The first Simon Garfield book I ever read was a compilation of Mass Observation diaries that I bought at The Imperial War Museum in London. It is still one of the best books I have read about life in England during WWII and I have read a lot of books about that time period. I have been meaning to read some of his other books so when I saw that In Miniature: How Small Things Illuminate the World* was available on NetGalley I immediately requested it. Garfield explores why people are so fascinated by miniatures and what drives them to create or play with them. He looks at everything from dollhouses to toy soldiers to model villages to the Vegas Strip. I was fascinated by the section about meticulously recreated crime scenes and amazed to read about the realities of flea circuses. I must admit, I now want to travel to Germany to visit the biggest model train layout in the world. This book is detailed, well-researched and takes the subject beyond the obvious. I wouldn't say I was someone who was fascinated by miniatures to begin with but this caught and held my attention and that readable, detailed account is what Garfield does best.

A fascinating and informative book on the art of miniatures, not just tiny cute things, but also world monuments, crime scenes, ancient tombs, and flea circuses. A very interesting book for collectors, hobbyists, and history buffs. It would've been nice to have more photos, however.

A charming and informative book. I really enjoyed it. Even if you aren't into miniature or know anything about them, this is still a great book.

I received this book in exchange for a honest review from NetGalley.

I had my doubts about this book but all of them are gone. This book was a love letter to a distinct and timeless hobby that many people write off as nerdy or think that the hobbyist are socially inept. This as with all hobbies could be the case but they are also patient and passionate and can be consumed by their great love for all things miniature. This book introduced me to so many interesting things that I have never seen before or didn't know about. I loved it but beware it will take you down a rabbit hole looking up all the fascinating things that are discussed.

Thank you NetGalley for my free copy for my honest review.

I love anything miniature. I have endless little bookshelves filled with tiny books and toys. I loved this book so much! Quick little read if you want to really nerd out!

One would expect a book on miniatures to target a specific audience, but Garfield offers a holistic look, broadening the concept of miniature, from souvenirs and model planes / ships to tiny books and staged crime scenes. In a surprise opening, Garfield shares the psychological obsession with recreations of the iconic Eiffel Tower, some models larger than a person, so not an expected miniature, but still tiny versions of the beloved structure. He moves on to intricately detailed and blue-printed miniature villages and cities of astonishing square footage. And from there, Garfield flies high to explore tiny portraits of royals and young Queen Mary’s dollhouse, for display only. More surprises enchant the reader upon finding out the rockstars who also happen to be model train fans, architect models famous for the intended structure not being built, and the elaborate theater that was, Garfield meandering out to mini stage sets. The book wraps up with a microscopic matrix-like painting within a painting within a painting, micro-sculptures, and of course, rice drawings and eye of the needle scenes, but also mini-cooking YouTube videos and contemporary artists. The Epilogue wanders through popular culture’s take on miniatures, and a retelling of Prussian victory at Waterloo, the final note an 8” 3D Mini-Me of the author himself.

At the end of every chapter is a “mini-break” enlightening readers upon such obscure miniatures as Egyptian shabtis, slave ship models, flea circuses, floor games / play rooms presaging Simcity, LSD tab art, Temple of Jerusalem, Las Vegas’ idea of world culture reduced to a resort, a shock artist’s work, and designer chair samples.

Extensive research was done for this book, with thorough timelines, respectful interviews, and photos. Garfield describes the inspiration, effort, finances, and passion involved in all aspects of the miniatures he’s investigated, relaying the history as a storyteller. The book is global in its scope and astonishing in its depth and content, a fun read for anyone interested in extraordinary things, reminiscent of The Museum of Interesting Things in NYC.

I received a copy of this fascinating book from the publisher Atria Books through NetGalley.

My review is scheduled to post on my blog March 25, and I will share on FB, Twitter, GR, and B&N.

A fascinating look into the history and world of miniatures and the roles they've played through life. I was, however, disappointed in how little was represented in the photographic aspect of it. There were few photos, and the ones that were present, seemed dull. The cover is so vivid, as is the world of miniatures, which is arguably one of the best things about small scale, but the photos didn't do it justice.

You know this book was a surprise. It may certainly appeal to folks accustomed with Malcom Gladwell’s style of writing—due to the focused and interwoven stories shared throughout the pages.

I figured this book would speak to all things cute and adorable, but instead it touched on small scale versions of the real deal. For example the author talked about the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas as a miniature version of a village in Italy.

It was a nice enough look into the world of smaller scale things. Like I said it was just surprising—which can be a good thing.

Also, the author may want to reconsider his dedication page with the inappropriate quote. It’s a little creepy and sets off the wrong tone.

Thanks to #NetGalley, I had an advanced PDF to read and review.

*All opinions are my own and I was not required to post a positive review. *

In Miniature: How Small Things Illuminate the World by Simon Garfield is a book I requested from NetGalley and the review is voluntary. I am one of the millions of people that love miniatures.This book talks about why people like them, the history, the types, and examples. I loved looking at all the various types. From models cars, train, towns, planes, houses, and ships to microminiature art in the head of a sewing needle! Mini books, art, food, people, towers, and so much more! Lots of pictures and informative history along the way! They even talk about miniature dogs! Yes, I have those too! I even own a Smart car! Great book!

Thoroughly researched and engaging. It zips around time periods and usage of miniature items so it never feels dry or too analytical. I'd recommend for an adult interested in a fun yet informative book. An adult collector who likes historical work might enjoy this book. Garfield peppers in 'mini-breaks' in the text to ease focus on one particular miniature.

Another charming, thoroughly researched, extremely readable entry from the author of Just My Type and many other books. Explores the history of miniatures, societal influences, and more. I only wish there were more pictures to enjoy with the text, but the interesting anecdotes are a lot of fun, too.

Miniatures are sooo much fun! This book brought back memories, too. I have seen amazing miniature
books at the Cleveland Public Library when I caught an exhibit of them some years years ago. The microscopic ones were amazing! Real works of art! I also recall visiting Roadside America in Pennsylvania that was built of matchsticks, I think, It was interesting to read the story behind the postcards I have from the 1050's! Miniature portraits are amazing and I never knew the history behind them before reading this book. Fascinating! Others subjects include flea circuses, dollhouses, model railroads, and more. It covers lots of territory, I think, and anyone interested in Mini things will most likely enjoy this book. Just kind of sad there weren't more photos. Well, it's not a picture book anyway. Ans there are books written on the individual subjects out there, too! (I know, as I own a lovely book on miniature books!)

This was a difficult book for me to review. On the one hand, it was a fantastic read, with excellent, interesting discussions of the many ways that people use the process of miniaturization to explore elements of the world around them. Garfield always comes across as completely respectful, and often totally captivated with whatever example of miniaturization he is describing in that moment. And his interest and respect make each chapter just as captivating for this reader.

The reason I found this a difficult review, was that as much as I really enjoyed the reading itself, I finished the book with a sense of disappointment. The book’s subtitle, “How Small Things Illuminate the World,” provides an insight into my disappointment. Because as fascinating as each “case study” was, I felt very strongly as if there was an element of analysis that was missing. He often mentions the seemingly universal appeal that miniatures hold for people, but he never looks into the reasons that underlie that appeal. Why are people drawn to miniaturization? In what ways do all of these examples illuminate humankind’s desire to better understand or interpret our world? I know, as a journalist, Garfield might not have felt it was his place to present any opinions he might have personally, but I would have really enjoyed knowing what scholars think underlies this fascination, and the opportunity to consider each of these examples in light of that knowledge.

I received an advanced reading copy from Atria Books via NetGalley. Thanks!