Panama hats do not come from Panama. They come from Ecuador. The epicenter of Panama hats is Cuenca, Ecuador – where WoodsEdge has a team of missionaries.

This is the story of straw hats, from just the right plants in just the right climate, through all the steps of weaving and soaking and shaping and adjusting, to hat shops around the world.

Truthfully, I am not that interested in straw hats. But this book includes many rabbit trails that give a flavor of the history and culture of this beautiful South American country. And that I am interested in.