About this item
Highlights
- "A rich sensory trip . . . this indispensable guide to all things smelly is as good as it gets.
- Author(s): Luca Turin
- 224 Pages
- Health + Wellness, Beauty & Grooming
Description
About the Book
An engaging exploration of the cutting-edge science of olfaction by a celebrated biophysicist who has attempted to solve one of the greatest mysteries of the body: how smell works.Book Synopsis
"A rich sensory trip . . . this indispensable guide to all things smelly is as good as it gets."--Sunday Telegraph
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.
From the Back Cover
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.
Review Quotes
The best science book of the year so far. -- BBC Radio 4
A rich sensory trip ... this indispensable guide to all things smelly is as good as it gets. -- Sunday Telegraph
Turin writes brilliantly, with the easy confidence of the expert and the infectious enthusiasm of the true amateur. -- Tim Radford, The Guardian