The Book of Perfumes

by John Oakes

Describes one hundred fifty fragrances, defines their ingredients, and includes an astrological guide for choosing the correct scent

Genres: Nonfiction

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've lost my copy of this book during one of my many moves, but I did very much enjoy the descriptions of the perfumes offered. One of these days I'll track down another copy of the book as I really did love flicking through it and discovering new perfumes.

[Alison Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I often look at this book, which is informative about the flowers or fragrances used in the perfumes and which perfumes are popular with each astrological star sign.

[Josephine · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author's love of fragrance short story was memorable. The amazing, but sadly brief, history of various essential oils was the best I've ever read. The descriptions of some of the most iconic fragrances made me want to go out to smell, again, these fragrances to observe the author's descriptions. Sadly, I found the small yet fat tiny paperback book size off putting. The "sniffer" in me wanted to crack the spine and sink into swirling scents. The book lover slapped the idea down leaving me feeling like I was stealing some trade secret because I couldn't read the book properly with its stiff presentation. I would have loved a spiral bound book that I could slip into my purse open to the darling perfume that I was to the store to smell. I would venture book and I clean and unadorned to a store selling the scents still on the shelves. Then spray one and only one on myself and over the next hours take notes in the margins about the fragrance ON ME. Instead the little tome made me feel like I was opening a dirty little secret that snapped shut on my fingers and in front of my eyes. Good bye little book, you were almost perfect...

[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love perfumes you will probably love this book. Excellent descriptions of scents with interesting historical tidbits about the scents profiled.