Books › The Secret of Scent
The Secret of Scent
First published 2006 · 256 pages
A witty and passionate deep-dive into the contentious scientific mysteries behind the world's most evocative sense.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like stepping into a lively, passionate debate at the intersection of a chemistry lab and a master perfumer's studio. The narrative moves at a brisk, engrossing pace, driven by a deep fascination with the unseen mechanics of the world. It is intellectually stimulating yet uniquely accessible, translating complex organic chemistry and contentious historical debates into a captivating exploration of art and science. The prose is witty and wildly original, treating the molecular vibrations of garlic and roses with equal reverence. It is a perfect read for curious minds who want to look behind the curtain of the modern perfume industry and understand the profound, lingering mysteries of our most enigmatic sense.
- Mood
- intellectually stimulating
- curious
- fascinated
- Tone
- witty
- engrossing
- passionate
- accessible
- captivating
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- the intersection of science and art · scientific mystery and debate · the history of organic chemistry · the mechanics of olfaction · passion for fragrance
- The writing
- Witty, accessible, and wildly original, blending scientific detail with an artistic appreciation for fragrance.
- The arc
- A journey from sensory curiosity through the contentious history of organic chemistry, culminating in a deep appreciation for the mysteries of olfaction.
- Who it's for
- Curious minds who love exploring the hidden scientific mechanics behind everyday sensory experiences and artistic industries.
About the book
" One man's passion for perfume leads him to explore one of the most intriguing scientific mysteries: What makes one molecule smell of garlic while another smells of rose? In this witty, engrossing, and wildly original volume, author Luca Turin explores the two competing theories of smell. Is scent determined by molecular shape or molecular vibrations? Turin describes in fascinating detail the science, the evidence, and the often contentious debate--from the beginnings of organic chemistry to the present day--and pays homage to the scientists who went before. With its uniquely accessible and captivating approach to science via art, The Secret of Scent will appeal to anyone who has ever wondered about the most mysterious of the five senses."--Publisher's website.
Documents the science of olfaction and its relationship with fragrance, in an account that chronicles the history of organic chemistry from its origins in the nineteenth century through the modern world's perfume industry.
Description from Open Library.
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