Helpful Score: 2
There are books that seem to let you see the time flying by, and this is one of them.
She will let you feel in your chest the vibrations from the space shuttle when it takes off. She will make you hold your breath in a cavern filled with water. You will smell perfumes from long ago.
Wisdom, knowledge, science, feelings, all weaved with poetry.
Watch yourself or you will feel your own tears coming down your own cheeks.
Yes, it is that good.
She will let you feel in your chest the vibrations from the space shuttle when it takes off. She will make you hold your breath in a cavern filled with water. You will smell perfumes from long ago.
Wisdom, knowledge, science, feelings, all weaved with poetry.
Watch yourself or you will feel your own tears coming down your own cheeks.
Yes, it is that good.
Diane Ackerman's lusciously written grand tour of the realm of the senses includes conversations with an iceberg in Antarctica and a professional nose in New York, along with dissertations on kisses and tattoos, sadistic cuisine and the music played by the planet Earth. "Delightful . . . gives the reader the richest possible feeling of the worlds the senses take in
Helpful Score: 1
Great read. Not dry at all, some very interesting facts.
Helpful Score: 1
Much like in A Natural History of Love, Ackerman combines a profound interest in natural science, evolution and the animal world (and humanity's place in it) with a love of language, observation and sense-experience.
Helpful Score: 1
Diane Ackerman paints a magical, exquisite path of words as you explore the five senses & beyond through the talent of her pen. Along the way you will learn some pretty amazing facts about body, mind, self, and the amazing world around us all. This is a truly mesmerizing journey that you won't want to put down until it's over. The only complaint I have is that it is written twenty years ago (1990) so this will date the information just a little. Plus, it does contain some un-PC words like "Orientals" to describe Asians & a total disregard for veganism/ vegetarianism with misinformation about protein.
This was a beautifully written, informative book about the five senses. Ackerman's descriptive writing kept me engaged and I enjoyed learning about the different ways we perceive the world.
Interesting, but a bit more about the senses than I wanted to know. Ackerman does goes on (and on). But still, there's a nice balance between scientific info and her own more poetic take on what -- and how -- we see, smell, touch, hear and taste.
Great read!!!!!!
One of those books I always wanted to read. I learned a lot of interesting things . Her belief in evolution is evident !
I "see" the world differantly after reading this.!
I "see" the world differantly after reading this.!
