Custodians of Wonder is an extremely well-written exploration of customs and traditions you've probably never heard of from around the world--ranging from making a special kind of pasta in Italy to painting movie posters.

Stein clearly cared for the topic, the people he was interviewing and the customs he was able to observe--he took time to get to know each one and truly understand the history and meaning behind each one.

Some stories were stronger than others (or at least were more interesting to me) and the writing could be dense, so it's a big to enjoy in small doses or possibly as an audiobook.

Book: Custodians of Wonder
Author: Eliot Stein
Genre: Nonfiction
Places Featured: All overthe World
Review Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Loved this book! When watching television, I always gravitate to those shows that depict a subject that I know nothing about. You know, like how the Roman's built their intricate roads, or how the pyramids were built, etc. I was thrilled to find this book, offered as an ARC by NetGalley, that covered many, completely different subjects that were a mystery to me. I feel like I hit the jackpot here!
Each story covered an obscure area. Each was very well written, interesting, and informative. I do not think one could find any of them written down anywhere else.
While all of the stories had there high points, I was especially taken with the story of how the Incan methods of building rope bridges across chasms are kept alive through the efforts of one man. I found it to be fascinating, while also terrifying!
Kudos to the author, without whom these stories might be completely lost to history! I sincerely hope that he writes more books in this line.

In this new release, Eliot Stein travels the globe to meet remarkable individuals preserving vanishing cultural practices. Custodians of Wonder explores “Ancient Customs, Profound Traditions, and the Last People Keeping Them Alive.”

From a man safeguarding Japan’s 700-year-old soy sauce recipe to a woman in Italy making the world’s rarest pasta, Stein uncovers extraordinary traditions. He encounters the last Inca bridge master in Peru, a British beekeeper who “tells the bees” important news, and the German mailman for the world’s only tree with its own mailing address.

Stein, a seasoned anthropologist and writer, takes readers on a journey to remote corners of the world where age-old traditions continue to thrive despite the encroachments of the modern day. Through captivating stories, Stein highlights the resilience of those who are the final custodians of these ancient rites, offering readers an intimate look at cultures fighting to preserve their rich legacies against the pressures of modern life.

The book is structured around a series of compelling profiles, each dedicated to a different culture or tradition. From the shamans of the Amazon to the artisans of the Himalayan foothills, Stein paints a nuanced portrait of the individuals who are not only the bearers of these traditions, but also their fierce protectors. His research highlights the tensions these communities face—pressures from globalization, climate change, and even tourism—as they strive to preserve their ways of life.

Custodians of Wonder is an evocative exploration of humanity’s most treasured yet vanishing cultural practices, from a family in India crafting a mysterious metal mirror to Scandinavia’s last night watchman. Through vivid storytelling and rich descriptions, he introduces us to indigenous communities and small, often overlooked groups who serve as guardians of rituals that have withstood the test of time.

Stein’s writing is both poetic and informative, balancing heartfelt anecdotes with thoughtful analysis. He avoids an overly romanticized view, offering a candid look at the complexities of cultural preservation in the 21st century. Ultimately, Custodians of Wonder is a tribute to resilience, capturing the profound connection between tradition and identity. It’s a timely reminder of how fragile the world’s cultural heritage is and how important it is to support those striving to keep these wonders alive for future generations.

I usually sum up what the book I read is about in my own words, but the book's description is perfect: "Eliot Stein has traveled the globe in search of remarkable people who are preserving some of our most extraordinary cultural rites." It's a book about the people who are struggling to keep ancient traditions alive in a world that doesn't seem to have room for them, and it is Stein's attempt at getting the word out about them, if only to be a record of their existence.
It's amazing the things that are getting lost to time simply because people don't have the patience and care to learn them. I'm including myself in that because I would love to be able to do some of the things Stein discusses in this book, but know I could never. They're art forms and customs that the fast pace of modernity is leaving behind, and Stein's admiration for those who do their best to keep them alive is palpable and contagious. It also comes with in-depth explanation of their origins and their history in a way that's easy to digest and infinitely fascinating. You will walk away with not just an appreciation for these "custodians," you'll also get a lot of very random pieces of information to make you feel smarter.

Delighted thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the educational read!

Some of the chapters in this book were really interesting. Not a 5-star book for me, but a fun read, and I can think of friends who would enjoy this book.

This was so interesting and fun and COZY while also being bittersweet. I learned so much and went down so many fun rabbit holes. The stories restored some hope in humanity and connected old histories and traditions with the modern world. I absolutely loved reading this!

I have recently been fortunate to read some non-fiction that has the pacing and style of fiction, and this book is one of them. Written in a bold and vivacious style, Eliot Stein bring the wonder of these stories to the page and inspired me to find the wonder around m because of it. It is amazing how many stories exist around us that we do not wonder because they appear, at passing glance, to be just the way things are done. But when we look with eyes filled wonder, curiosity, and interest what marvelous tales can be told and how much richer our world becomes.

How marvelous it is to think that there is one man maintaining the heritage of making true soy sauce with a tradition dating back on over 700 years. And now I wonder what must taste like and how amazing it must be to realize that thins chain of creation still exists because of him!

How astonishing it is that there a unique from of pasta that is made that only one person is willing to keep the secrets of making it alive despite the lure of box pasta on every store shelf. And because this I think what traditions can I keep alive in my own family?

How miraculous is it that in Peru an art and skill of the Inca Road and Bridge Builders is still an aspect of Peruvian life because the tradition of living bridge builders has been preserved and what secrets may this hold for the future of our world.

This is a book that needs to be savored and considered. This is like a slow food feast for the mind that invites thought and discussion because it asks so little but inspires such appreciation.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

A gorgeous look at dying customs around the world, told by the practioners themselves, and what it means when we let these parts of our world go. The rapid growth of technology and communication both speeds up the decline of the traditions and exposes them to a wider audience to appreciate. While maintaining a realistic view of the future, it also remains hopeful that this simple act of recording their practices will help prolong their lifespan. It feels like a more personable version of something like Ripley's Believe it or Not, exploring something strange to us but in a way that respects the other culture and tries to gain an understanding of it.

This was a fascinating look at rare customs and traditions, many of which I had never heard about until reading in this book. It wasn't my usual type of book that I would pick up, but I'm glad that i did!

Custodians of Wonder is a hauntingly captivating read and a time capsule into the past.

Travel to the remote corners of the globe to discover ten sacred, time-honored traditions and meet the devoted caretakers dedicated to preserving them.

Beautifully written, well-researched and a deeply evocative portrayal of the human spirit.

What a fabulous book! I've never read something quite like this, and I loved it. Very special and beautifully laid out

Such an interesting book! Rich with information on the history of certain traditions. Kept me intrigued from the first page to the last. I learned so much! Simply a GREAT and impactful read!

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.

This is a beautiful deep dive into the people caring for some of the oldest, rarest, and sadly dying cultural traditions worldwide.

My husband and I have very different reading tendencies, so rarely do I pick up a book and think that my husband and I would both enjoy it, but that is precisely what happened with this book.

It is perfect for history lovers or anyone trying to read more globally, as you'll read about cultural traditions from 10 different countries.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I unfortunately did not get a chance to finish reading this book before it expired, however, I will be purchasing it in order to finish it. It is a beautiful book so far

“We often hear stories of the first people to do something … but rarely is there a whisper for the last person to carry on a tradition.”

In this amazing book, Eliot Stein sheds light on 10 traditions across the globe that are in the hands of their final guardians. From the rarest pasta in the world to the only tree with its own mailing address, Stein masterfully writes about these hidden wonders and their associated history, geographical context, and present day challenges. With a captivating story telling ability you’ll really feel like you are traveling along with Stein on the book’s journey. I definitely recommend this book to all, but especially those that are interested in history, learning about new cultures, and/or just like interesting facts.

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

I loved this book. It is so sweet and hopeful. It is also quite sad that many of these long lasting jobs from around the world are fading away. in writing them down and giving us this look into the individuals lives is such a gift.

In this unique and fascinating collection of biographies, Eliot Stein brings the stories of people preserving unique cultural rites and positions to life. From a man saving a 700-year-old soy sauce recipe to the world’s rarest pasta, the last Scandinavian night watchman, and Cuban cigar factory readers, he brings the stories of disappearing yet incredibly critical jobs and those who do them to readers around the world in this engaging, fascinating, and immersive history that spans the entire globe. Preserving these unique cultural moments in his own way, Stein’s recounting of these jobs and their current holders is engaging, immersive, and unique, with a charming conversational style that really draws readers into these vastly different stories. Each chapter stands alone and captures this particular cultural rite in time and space, yet each somehow combines with the other different occupations to create this fascinating picture of a global cultural history where jobs, places, and traditions all matter to their communities. Brilliantly written and full of detail, Stein humanizes these people and their lives in such vibrant and rich language that readers feel like they are in that moment, which is absolutely magical. Unique and like no other biography or history book, this is a must read for people looking for ordinary magic in the world or in history.

This was a fascinating read that made me fall in love with cultural traditions I had no idea existed. I loved that Stein's writing differed in the way he told each of these stories. This was beautifully written and made me appreciate the humanness of this world. *Advance copy provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

I wasn’t able to read and review this book before it’s publishing date. However, now that I have read it I gave it 4.5 stars.

In this one of a kind book, Eliot Stein takes readers on a trip to 10 countries around the world to meet people engaged in jobs or pursuits that are maintaining centuries old traditions within their cultures. These people are aging and often the last, or near to last practioner of their skill. Each chapter provides a history of the country or region, the development of the skill or practice and how the years have affected it.

Among my favorites are the “lectors” or readers of Cuba who read news and novels to the workers in cigar rolling factories of Cuba. Their history has fluctuated along with that of the country itself; I appreciated learning more about Cuba, past and present. Another is a chapter on talking to the bees and the history of informing them of what is happening in their keepers’ world, centered in Britain and New England. I’d heard of this but found it fascinating to learn more. And then there is the tale of the Bridegroom’s Oak in Eutin, Germany, a tree with its own postal address that matches people looking for love. In addition to these there are others written about people in Japan, Taiwan, India, Sardinia, Peru, Sweden, and Mali. In each case there is a tradition in peril because its last practioner(s) are aged and without a certain successor. And some are threatened by the modern world itself.

I believe that each reader will be captivated by their own mix of these tales, probably reflecting personal interests. I found several that were fascinating throughout while in a couple of cases the history didn’t interest me as much as the stories of the people. I recommend this collection for anyone interested in history, quirky stories of real people in this complex world and those interested in travel and meeting new people and exploring new places.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an eARC of this book. This review is my own