Diane Ackerman: A natural history of the senses (1991, Vintage Books)
331 pages
English language
Published Aug. 22, 1991 by Vintage Books.
A Natural History of the Senses is a vibrant celebration of our ability to smell, taste, hear, touch, and see. Poet, pilot, naturalist, journalist, essayist, and explorer, Diane Ackerman weaves together scientific fact with lore, history, and voluptuous description. The resulting work is a startling and enchanting account of how human beings experience and savor the world. A Natural History of the Senses is at once an ingenious exploration of the physical processes underlying our perceptions and an eloquent ode to life -- a rare combination of science and poetry. - Jacket flap.
A book about the 5 senses. At times sublime, at others Ackerman overreaches a bit to sound like new age poetry. Either way, however, you will learn a few fun factoids you may not have known along the way, and come away with a renewed sense of wonder about what it means to be alive.
What ages would I recommend it too? – Twelve and up.
Length? – Several day's read.
Characters? – The senses.
Setting? – Real world.
Written approximately? – 1990.
Does the story leave questions in the readers mind? – Ready to read more.
Any issues the author (or a more recent publisher) should cover? No
Notes for the reader: A fascinating journey through the history and present of how the senses are intertwined in our daily lives. Gives a few good examples to writers, along with many stories that are just plain fun, and funny to read!
