The secret of scent : adventures in perfume and the science of smell : Luca Turin

Smell is our forgotten sense. Long neglected by science in favour of more prestigious areas of research, it's also barely understood in general life. At the core of our sense of smell lies an enigma: Why do things smell the way they do? How is smell written into the molecules? This book is the story of the quest to solve this puzzle. Luca Turin has been described in "The Economist" as 'a man with a powerful nose and a bizarre obsession with perfume.' Starting with a tour of the great perfumes and their gifted makers, he shows how few people have an idea of what perfume is or how it is made, let alone how smell works and what part it plays in other pleasures like food. But not everyone has ignored this powerful sense. A small band of mavericks has been trying to crack the code of smell for 70 years. Building on their work, Turin thinks he has succeeded. And like all good mysteries, the solution was all the while hidden in plain sight - in this case, right under our noses. " 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.

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.

sunday Telegraph

a Rich Sensory Trip … This Indispensable Guide To All Things Smelly Is As Good As It Gets.

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 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 debatefrom the beginnings of organic chemistry to the present dayand 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. Shows two worlds - the lucrative realm of the perfume makers, and the equally rivalrous domain of smell science. At the core of our sense of smell lies an enigma: why do things smell the way they do? How is smell written into the molecules? This book is the story of the quest to solve this puzzle. 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