Cosplay: A History

The Builders, Fans, and Makers Who Bring Your Favorite Stories to Life

By: Andrew Liptak

Narrated by: Eunice Wong

A history of the colorful and complex kingdom of cosplay and fandom fashion by Andrew Liptak, journalist, historian, and member of the legendary fan-based Star Wars organization the 501st Legion.

In recent years, cosplay—the practice of dressing up in costume as a character—has exploded, becoming a mainstream cultural phenomenon. But what are the circumstances that made its rise possible?

Andrew Liptak—a member of the legendary 501st Legion, an international fan-based organization dedicated to the dark side of Star Wars—delves into the origins and culture of cosplay to answer this question. Cosplay: A History looks at the practice’s ever-growing fandom and conventions, its roots in 15th-century costuming, the relationship between franchises and the cosplayers they inspire, and the technology that brings even the most intricate details in these costumes to life.

Cosplay veterans and newcomers alike will find much to relish in this rich and comprehensive history.

Good overall but boring at times

I would say the first half or so of this book were really interesting.It dives into different aspects of cosplay that I never knew of. Towards the end I think there's a bit of filler, like explaining where the internet came from or how cameras were invented. Also this at times feels like Star Wars dominates cosplay, because the author talks about Star Wars and stormtroopers a lot, but it's still interesting.