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Book Reviews of A Natural History of the Senses

A Natural History of the Senses
A Natural History of the Senses
Author: Diane Ackerman
ISBN-13: 9780679737636
ISBN-10: 0679737634
Rating:
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0 stars, based on 0 rating
Publisher: Vintage Books
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

9 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

pipil avatar reviewed A Natural History of the Senses on + 5 more book reviews
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.
Bernie avatar reviewed A Natural History of the Senses on
Helpful Score: 1
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
reviewed A Natural History of the Senses on + 70 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Great read. Not dry at all, some very interesting facts.
reviewed A Natural History of the Senses on
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.
owlandtwig avatar reviewed A Natural History of the Senses on + 30 more book reviews
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.
reviewed A Natural History of the Senses on + 407 more book reviews
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.
GrannyGamer avatar reviewed A Natural History of the Senses on + 153 more book reviews
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.
nashua avatar reviewed A Natural History of the Senses on
Great read!!!!!!
reviewed A Natural History of the Senses on + 37 more book reviews
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.!