A Natural History of the Senses
4.5
20
5
1
Paperback(Reprint)
USD
15.6
$15.60
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780679735663 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group |
| Publication date: | 09/28/1991 |
| Edition description: | Reprint |
| Pages: | 352 |
| Sales rank: | 117,981 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.13(w) x 8.04(h) x 0.76(d) |
About the Author
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
A Natural History of the Senses
4.5 out of 5
based on
0 ratings.
20 reviews.
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Written with a poet's sensiitivity to language, this is a beguiling compound of scientific knowledge with literary and historical quotation concerning the five traditional senses. These are followed by chapters on synaesthesia and on tricks used by writers to stimulate their creativity. Wherever you dip into this extraordinary compendium you are sure to find a pearl - and without having to prise open the oyster. The suggested further reading alone could occupy a lifetime.
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This is a gorgeous, sumptuous feast of a book. Beautifully written and well researched, this book takes you on a tour of the senses and why they are so important. Ackerman is able to put into words so many things that are hard to describe, and does so with a lushness that is just lovely. If you are a sensualist at all, you will love this book. Fascinating and poetic, it's a great read.
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A fabulous look at all the senses, with anecdotes, bio facts and neat stories; sometimes overly poetic passages but generally fascinating
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Ackerman writes a number of books that accomplish the feat of quality, entertaining writing about science without making it seem like science. Which, I suppose, is simply saying that she brings science to the pleasure readers.She has a poet¿s ear for sentences, and she writes like a teacher. Her descriptions are beautiful and interesting, and she read several hundred books for every one title she writes. There is so very much information packed in that great language. Science very quickly turns me off, but this book fascinated me. I couldn¿t put it down.
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This book is my bible. I've read it a number of times and plan to read it again, and again, and again. Ackerman sums up her intention for this book wonderfully in her introduction--"To begin to understand the gorgeous fever that is consciousness, we must try to understand the senses--how they evolved, how they can be extended, what their limits are, to which one we have attached taboos, and what they can teach us about the ravishing world we have the privilege to inhabit."We are connected to the world around us through our senses. The more aware we are of this connection, the better our appreciation of our world. Awareness improves our focus on our senses and teaches us how to better utilize them. Ackerman improves our awareness by exploring each sense from both biological and historical aspects. Ackerman's use of language infuses poetry into these analyses, likened to the experience of exploring an environment. Your food will taste better and the air will smell sweeter after reading this book. We seem to take our senses for granted when in fact they are one of the keys to happiness and love for life. If anything, this book should be in the self-help section. Take a deep breath and taste each molecule you take in. The world is a beautiful place.
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Loved this book, it was fascinating.
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A well-written book that lets you sample the delights of all the senses. It's a good one to pick up and open randomly to a chapter, even after you've read the whole thing.
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Poetic review of the senses and the science surrounding them. Quite enjoyable for those who are scientificly minded, yet artistically driven.
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If I had to keep only one non-fiction book out of my whole collection, this would be the one. Ms. Ackerman writes beautifully, leaving you hungry for more. She has a fantastic way of interweaving fact, poetry, anecdote, and humor. I read it way too fast, and had to go back for more.
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An enjoyable and luxurious read, a palatable offering to be savoured slowly.
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Diane Ackerman's Natural History of the Senses is a wonderful journey through the science, culture, history and mystery of our human senses. I learned some odd little factoids, and I laughed a number of times, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
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I read this book a long time ago but I was so impressed with her writing style that I keep going back to it. THis book takes numbness of life away.
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I had to buy this book for a college class. I must say I thought this book was written by a quirky woman who lives in some old mansion with 50 cats or something. In many parts, it gets so sappy that I can barely read it. There are some interesting stories in it nevertheless, but for the most part, it's like reading sugar x 10. I wouldn't recommend it.
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Enchanting and informative, this book leads you through each of the human senses. Ackerman is in top form
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