Subject: Perfume – from the simplest rose petal to the most sophisticated bottle fragrance – has always possessed an astonishing ability to influence our moods and modulate our perceptions of the world. The Book of Perfume describes the history and creation of a selection of fine fragrances, detailing the people and processes involved in the composition of a fragrance and the marketing of its image. Six extensively researched, beautifully illustrated chapters trace the traditions scent, from the attars of Cleopatra to the heady violet of the Empress Josephine to Marilyn Monroe’s Chanel No. 5. The authors reveal the painstaking art of distillation – in which gatherers in Grasse remain as crucial as the most up-to-date equipment. They open the doors of the noble perfume houses and explain how a great nose composes a perfume. They examine the craftsmanship behind the flacon, and demonstrate how the names and images of perfumes reflect their times. Finally, they divulge how one chooses a signature fragrance and build a perfume wardrobe. The book includes a practical connoisseur’s list of salons, museums, and schools, as well as a glossary and a chart of scent families. The Book of Perfume unites all aspects of the perfumed world into one volume, providing an authoritative account of its tangible – and more intangible – manifestations in a beautifully illustrated format. Written in an accessible and informative style, the book offers a sumptuous introduction to its topic – the inspirations behind the world’s favorite fragrances and their journey from petals to public image.