Everything about the sense of smell fascinates
us, from
its power to evoke memories to its ability to change our moods and
influence our behavior. Yet because it is the least understood of the
senses, myths abound. For example, contrary to popular belief, the
human nose is almost as sensitive as the noses of many animals,
including dogs; blind people do not have enhanced powers of smell; and
perfumers excel at their jobs not because they have superior noses, but
because they have perfected the art of thinking about scents.
In this entertaining and enlightening journey through the world of
aroma, olfaction expert Avery Gilbert illuminates the latest scientific
discoveries and offers keen observations on modern culture: how a
museum is preserving the smells of John Steinbeck’s Cannery
Row;
why John Waters revived the “smellie” in Polyester;
and
what innovations are coming from artists like the Dutch
“aroma
jockey” known as Odo7. From brain-imaging laboratories to the
high-stakes world of scent marketing, What the Nose Knows takes us on a
tour of the strange and surprising realm of smell.
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What the Nose Knows
The Science of Scent in
Everyday Life
by Avery Gilbert
Crown,
2008
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