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Scent

A Natural History of Fragrance

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Scent

By: Elise Vernon Pearlstine
Narrated by: Tegan Ashton Cohan
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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 Tantor Biological Sciences Biology Botany & Plants Outdoors & Nature Science Natural History
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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!

Brilliant book!

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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.

well researched, but not overly academic

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