Essence and Alchemy: A Book of Perfume [IMPORT] (Hardcover)

by Mandy Aftel (Author) "FRAGRANCE has the instantaneous and invisible power to penetrate consciousness with pure pleasure..." (more)
Key Phrases: dryout note, spruce absolute, blotter number, Edmond Roudnitska, Henri Bergson, Paul Jellinek (more...)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC (September 17, 2001)
• ISBN-10: 0747554099
• ISBN-13: 978-0747554097
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,282,495 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

87 of 90 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essence & Alchemy, July 22, 2001

By	nancy "flyby" (Menlo Park, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Essence and Alchemy: A Book of Perfume (Hardcover)

This just might be the best overall book on fragrance ever, ever written. It is of essential interest to the reader interested in perfume at most any level, from the connoisseur to the designer to the fabricator to the consumer. Mandy Aftel persists in creating perfumes from "all natural" ingredients, after "the trade" now relies on synthetics and scent enhancers and linear construction, even in the most expensive concoctions. And, here we're talking about QUALITY perfumes with history behind them, not new age, "go with the glow" infusions that are often a little reminiscent of the compost heap after the rain. For the general reader, Aftel references the history of fragrance preparation, from ancient times, through alchemists perfumery, to the great age of the perfection of the art in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. All the traditional ingredients are itemized, from essential incenses and oils used as the "base" to the citrus and floral essences used for the "heart" or middle notes, to the delicate and short-termed finishing high or "head" notes. The properties of each are well explored. More interested readers will be delighted to learn more about the character of what is going into their favorite perfumes and what combines and what doesn't. The reader considering dabbling in perfumery, will find this to be an excellent guide on how to start and continue to build fragrances from easily obtainable essences acquired by mail order.

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars enchanting!!, August 29, 2003

By	Jason D. Florin - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Essence and Alchemy: A Book of Perfume (Hardcover)

This book relates the historical facts about perfumes in an enjoyable, easy to read manner. The author does not limit herself to the descriptions of the typical essential oils listed in most books such as lavender, rose and jasmine, but also includes more exotic aromatics such as blood orange, champa, amberette, and cabreuva. She does not include the more medicinal smelling oils like thyme and tea tree in her recomendations as many other books do. However, this is a book on perfumary and the esthetic properties of the essential oils are the focus. For those interested in the technical and medicinal merits of the essential oils, this is not the book for you. The author does not promote the use of animal products; they are mentioned as these oils are a part of the history of perfumery, and still have a role , albiet diminished, in the modern perfume industry. Her discriptions of the various oils are detailed and her anecdotal references are interesting. She describes how to blend oils, offers suggestions on blending companions, and provides enough data to create your own blends. The oils are catagorized by note, and also according to family ie. resin, citrus, floral etc.She also includes recipies, indicates which oils are costly and/or difficult to find, and some sources. Overall, this is a well written, entertaining, and information packed book, which focuses on perfumery not chemistry.A sheer joy to read, and inspiring for the creative nature of blending essential oils.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This should be a prerequiste book..., December 10, 2004

By	Kasee L. Kozel (MN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Essence And Alchemy: A Book Of Perfume (Hardcover)

This is the book to have when you want the best perspective about natural perfumery. Most perfume books focus solely on the synthetic or aesthetic aspect of scent. "Essence and Alchemy" goes into depth about all aspects of perfume: scientifically, historically, sensually and spiritually. Maybe this will add one more element to home perfume-making. It's what makes the book unique. That, and it's a great read. I renewed it twice from the library when I first came across it!