Gretchen E. Henderson's 'The Cultural History of Ugliness' offers a profound exploration of how societies across different eras have perceived, defined, and responded to ugliness. This insightful book delves into the complex interplay between aesthetics, culture, and power, examining the various forms ugliness has taken in art, literature, philosophy, and everyday life. Henderson challenges conventional notions of beauty and repulsion, inviting readers to reconsider the cultural constructs that shape our understanding of the 'unattractive.' It is a compelling read for anyone interested in art history, cultural studies, and the evolution of human perception.