Books: Changing perceptions

Panglossian. Not a word that springs forth from the rich lexicon of most eye care professionals. Nevertheless, this book opens with a quote by Dr Pangloss in Voltaire’s Candide: ‘Everything was made for a purpose; everything is necessary for the fulfilment of that purpose. Observe the noses have been made for spectacles; therefore we have spectacles.’ It is true spectacles, have kept the nasal protuberance panglossian for a long time.

This book covers the history and geopolitics of spectacles, then the importance of spectacles in literature, art, music, film. It is packed with surprising curios, and curiosities that surprise.

Each section digresses into fascinating aspects of local history, prevailing geopolitics, potted biographies, anecdotes relating to central characters and the threads that connect them.