Scent
A Natural History of Fragrance
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Scent
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Narrated by:
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Tegan Ashton Cohan
About this listen
A fascinating exploration of the natural history of scent and human perceptions of fragrance from the viewpoint of plant and pollinator
Plants 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.
©2022 Elise Vernon Pearlstine (P)2022 TantorListeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about Scent
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Julio C Ponce
- 28-10-24
well researched, but not overly academic
very good review of the evolution of fragrances and fragrances. good division of chapters and associations with emotions brought on by specific smells.
some small issues with pronunciation of scientific names, but nothing too important.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tout en chantant
- 30-11-22
Brilliant book!
I am so glad I found it. It talks about aromatic plants and the aromatic substances they produce: their ecology, habitats, geographical distribution, historical uses, cultural influences, chemical composition of the substances, how they help the plant, what effects they have on their environment etc Fascinating!
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