Smells: A Cultural History of Odours in Early Modern Times

ISBN-13: 9781509536788 / Angielski / Miękka / 2020 / 260 str.

Robert (University of Paris) Muchembled

Opis

"A rich cultural history of smells that sheds new light on an under-appreciated sense"--

Recenzje

"Mr. Muchembled's fine-grained and evocative research shows how eloquent smell can be in helping us understand the past."The Wall Street Journal"Muchembled reminds us that the variables of time and place may defy a truly shared language. What we smell depends on what's in vogue and what's valued--on what cultural forces happen to be swirling in the air."The New Yorker"In this fascinating study, with unexpected twists and turns, Robert Muchembled explores the opaque topic of smell as if he were discovering a new continent that is as rich as it is mysterious."Historia"A rigorous, rich and lively book."Les Cahiers de Science & Vie"Smells is part scholarly treatise, part fascinating popular history, dashed through with a soupçon of wit."Foreword Reviews"This lively book combines scholarship with readability and ranges from plague to perfume, from the stink of cities to jokes about smelly people. Its interesting examples should appeal to an equally wide range of readers."Peter Burke, University of Cambridge"Robert Muchembled's new history is full of disgusting, delicious details... If you've ever wondered how living without modern technologies of sanitation might have shaped the surrounding culture, this book is for you."Slate"Lively"London Review of Books"delightful carnival of olfaction"The Spectator"Smells's mélange of the scholarly with the scatalogical makes for a dazzling, lusty romp through European history."Foreword Reviews"An illuminating piece of social history."Fortean Times'Book of the Week' in The Daily Mail"Captivating... Elegantly wicked and meticulous in its execution"The Australian"engrossing"Frieze

Spis treści

Table of ContentsTable of illustrationsIntroductionChapter one: Our unique sense of smellIs science always objective?A sense of danger, emotions, and delightChapter 2: A Pervasive stenchThe foul air of medieval townsUrban cess pitsThe smell of profitPollutant tradesCountryside smellsChapter three: Joyous matterA scholarly culture of scatologyAromatic blasonsHumour in the conteThe Way to SucceedOdorous windChapter four: Scent of a womanDemonising the smell of womenWhen ladies did not smell of rosesAt arm's lengthGuilty womenA breath of eroticismThe gutter pressA literary stinkDeath and the old womanDemonic pleasureChapter five: The Devil's breathVenomous vapoursPlague-ridden townsPerfume as armourPerfumed ritualsRue, vinegar and tobaccoPomandersChapter six: Musky scentsFountains of youthAmbergris, musk and civetThe perfumed glove tradeThe eroticism of leatherNothing new under the Sun King?Drawing death's stingThe great animal slaughterChapter seven: Civilising floral essencesThe perfume revolutionLuxuriating in baths of scentSensual facesBodily hair careThe scent of powderThe emperor's perfumerConclusionBibliographyA note on quotationsPrinciple manuscript sourcesPrimary sourcesSelected bibliography

O autorze

Robert Muchembled is a writer and Honorary Professor at the University of Paris.