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Scent: A Natural History of Fragrance

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Arrives May 18 – May 22
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Description

A fascinating exploration of the natural history of scent and human perceptions of fragrance from the viewpoint of plant and pollinatorPlants have long harnessed the chemical characteristics of aromatic compounds to shape the world around them. Frankincense resin from the genus Boswellia seals injured tissues and protects trees from invading pathogens. Jasmine produces a molecule called linalool that attracts pollinating moths with its flowery scent. Tobacco uses a similarly sweet-smelling compound called benzyl acetone to attract pollinators. Only recently in the evolutionary history of plants, however, have humans learned to co-opt their fragrances to seduce, heal, protect, and alter moods themselves.In this wide-ranging and accessible new book, biologist-turned-perfumer Elise Vernon Pearlstine turns our human- centered perception of fragrance on its head and investigates plants' evolutionary reasons for creating aromatic molecules. Delving into themes of spirituality, wealth, power, addiction, royalty, fantasy, and more, Pearlstine uncovers the natural history of aromatic substances and their intersection with human culture and civilization. Read more

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Top Amazon Reviews


  • Good book on perfume
Format: Hardcover
Very informative and comprehensive
Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2026 by Michael S Katz

  • New Appreciation for all Scents
Format: Hardcover
While I enjoy and treasure the memory of scents in my life and travels, I truly never appreciated the makeup of those scents or the process by which a scent originates. There is so much unveiled in this masterful description of the resins, molecules and pollinators that have been part of the human experience from the beginning of time. Elise Pearlstine has written a history of scents, beautifully illustrated, describing throughout by dividing her chapters so that the reader can follow that history. Traveling the world, I have visited so many of the origins of that natural history, observing beautiful gardens and landscapes and tasting the fruits of those landscapes. However, it is with renewed appreciation that I will take in fragrances and their visual delight in my future travels. I love how the author includes some of her personal history and the collection of prized flora in her own gardens. SCENT makes a perfect gift to friends who love nature. They will have the same feeling that I have in the wonderment of scents. While I enjoy and treasure the memory of scents in my life and travels, I truly never appreciated the makeup of those scents or the process by which a scent originates. There is so much unveiled in this masterful description of the resins, molecules and pollinators that have been part of the human experience from the beginning of time and even before man existed. Elise Pearlstine has written a beautifully illustrated book and a natural history of scent describing throughout by dividing her chapters so that the reader can follow that history. Traveling the world, I have visited so many of the origins of that natural history, observing beautiful gardens and landscapes and tasting the fruits of those landscapes. However, it is with renewed appreciation that I will take in the fragrances and their visual delight in my future travels. I love how the author includes some of her personal history and the collection of prizes in her own gardens. SCENT makes a perfect gift to friends who love nature. They will have the same feeling that I have in the wonderment of scents. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2022 by Melanie Camp

  • Not a Coffee table photo book.
Format: Hardcover
Still reading. Certainly gives a more Geographic and even Political view on perfume, except the Botanical and fragrance aspects.
Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2025 by Gal Alia Levy

  • Nice transaction
Format: Hardcover
As described
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2025 by P. Huston

  • Excellent item arrived right on schedule!
Format: Hardcover
Excellent item arrived right on schedule!
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2025 by Gerald E. Noeske

  • Very Interesting
Format: Hardcover
As noted by other readers, this book could be better organized and edited, and also, I found myself skimming over a lot of technicalities. That said, it was still enjoyable and worth five stars for documenting the complexity and significance of fragrance.
Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2024 by Tommy Palven

  • Descriptions of scants by words
Format: Kindle
It is pretty challenging to explain the various experiences of scents by words (rather than actually smelling).
Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2022 by A M

  • Thoroughly researched and beautifully written
Format: Hardcover
I didn't think I could fall in love more with natural materials, but the way Elise Vernon Pearlstine writes this book.... I'm in love all over again. The way she describes each material and how she writes about pollinators and predators is just beautiful. I'm savoring every page! This book has given me a deeper appreciation for natural materials. 5 stars! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2022 by Kingsouth

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