The Perfect Scent: A Year Inside the Perfume Industry in Paris and New York

The Perfect Scent: A Year Inside the Perfume Industry in Paris and New York
by Chandler Burr

The Perfect Scent: A Year Inside the Perfume Industry in Paris and New York
List Price: $25.00
Our Price: $2.10
You Save: $22.90 (92%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $0.33 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions


(Click here)
Buy this book at online book store in your country
Canada | UK | Germany | France

Book Summary Information

Author: Chandler Burr
Brand: Chandler Burr
Edition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-01-22
ISBN: 0805080376
Number of pages: 336
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.

Book Reviews of The Perfect Scent: A Year Inside the Perfume Industry in Paris and New York

Book Review: Another great book by Chandler.
Summary: 5 Stars

Chandler Burr is the resident perfume critic for The New York Times. In this capacity he writes regular reviews ("Scent Notes"), which initially strike one as unbelievably precious, but are ultimately kind of engaging. His previous book, "The Emperor of Scent", about the science of smell, was one of the best examples of science writing I've ever read.

This book, an account of the development and launch of two new perfumes, "Lovely" by Coty for Sarah Jessica Parker, and "Jardin sur le Nil" by Hermes, doesn't quite match the brilliance of "The Emperor of Scent", but it is engagingly written and was a very enjoyable read. To some extent, the science writing, which I think is Burr's particular strength, takes a back seat as he describes all of the other facets of product development. Which he does with the same intelligence and wit that characterized his earlier book: his take on the relationships among the various players at Hermes, as well as on SJP's unusual degree of personal involvement in the development of "Lovely" is nuanced and perceptive. Occasionally, Chandler's inner geek takes over, treating the reader to two pages of chemical details. Personally, I found this kind of charming, but other readers might not agree.

A smart, highly readable, account of a subject to which you may not have given much thought. My only caveat would be that, given Chandler's exceptional talent for science writing, I'd love to see him take on something a little more weighty next time around. For example, biotechnology, genetic testing, or pharmaceutical drug development: anyone who can write so vividly about the world of fragrance chemistry could undoubtedly contribute significantly in making these topics more accessible to a general audience.

Summary of The Perfect Scent: A Year Inside the Perfume Industry in Paris and New York

From the New York Times perfume critic, a stylish, fascinating, unprecedented insider's view of an industry and its charismatic characters
 
No journalist has ever been allowed into the ultrasecretive, highly pressured process of originating a perfume. But Chandler Burr, the New York Times perfume critic, spent a year behind the scenes observing the creation of two major fragrances. Now, writing with wit and elegance, he juxtaposes the stories of the perfumes--one created by a Frenchman in Paris for an exclusive luxury-goods house, the other made in New York by actress Sarah Jessica Parker and Coty, Inc., a giant international corporation. We follow Coty's mating of star power to the marketing of perfume, watching Sex and the City's Parker heading a hugely expensive campaign to launch a scent into the overcrowded celebrity market. Will she match the success of Jennifer Lopez? Does she have the international fan base to drive worldwide sales?
 
In Paris at the elegant Hermès, we see Jean Claude Ellena, his company's new head perfumer, given a challenge: he must create a scent to resuscitate Hermès's perfume business and challenge le monstre of the industry, bestselling Chanel No. 5. Will his pilgrimage to a garden on the Nile supply the inspiration he needs? The answer lies in Burr's informative and mesmerizing portrait of some of the extraordinary personalities who envision, design, create, and launch the perfumes that drive their billion-dollar industry.

Industries & Professions Books

Book Subjects
Most talked about in Industries & Professions Books
The Last Days of Haute Cuisine: The Coming of Age of American Restaurants ImageThe Last Days of Haute Cuisine: The Coming of Age of American Restaurants
by Patric Kuh
Penguin (Non-Classics); Published: 2002-02-26; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.93
Price in other shops: $15.00
Smartest Guys in the Room ImageSmartest Guys in the Room
by Peter Elkind
Penguin Books; Published: 2004-09-30; Paperback; Book
Best price: $10.08
Marketing for Hospitality and Tourism (2nd Edition) ImageMarketing for Hospitality and Tourism (2nd Edition)
by Philip Kotler
Prentice Hall; Published: 1998-07-27; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $19.00
Price in other shops: $134.75
Management Information Systems (11th Edition) ImageManagement Information Systems (11th Edition)
by Ken Laudon, Jane Laudon
Prentice Hall; Published: 2009-01-09; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $58.90
Price in other shops: $212.00
The Compensation Handbook ImageThe Compensation Handbook
by Lance Berger, Dorothy Berger
McGraw-Hill; Published: 2008-05-19; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $56.62
Price in other shops: $99.95
Rigged LP: The True Story of an Ivy League Kid Who Changed the World of Oil, from Wall Street to Dubai ImageRigged LP: The True Story of an Ivy League Kid Who Changed the World of Oil, from Wall Street to Dubai
by Ben Mezrich
HarperLuxe; Published: 2007-10-23; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.70
Price in other shops: $25.95
Rigged: The True Story of an Ivy League Kid Who Changed the World of Oil, from Wall Street to Dubai ImageRigged: The True Story of an Ivy League Kid Who Changed the World of Oil, from Wall Street to Dubai
by Ben Mezrich
William Morrow; Published: 2007-10-23; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $3.25
Price in other shops: $25.95
Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal ImageFast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal
by Eric Schlosser
PBS; Harper Perennial; Published: 2005-07-05; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.95
Price in other shops: $14.99
Financial Institutions Markets and Money (The Dryden Press series in finance) ImageFinancial Institutions Markets and Money (The Dryden Press series in finance)
by David S. Kidwell
Harcourt College Pub; Published: 1996-10; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $12.00
Price in other shops: $88.95
Gung Ho! (The One Minute Manager) ImageGung Ho! (The One Minute Manager)
by Kenneth Blanchard
Harpercollins; Published: 1998-06-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.82
Similar Books and other products
Perfume: The Art and Science of Scent ImagePerfume: The Art and Science of Scent
by Cathy Newman
National Geographic; Published: 1998-10-01; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $10.87
Price in other shops: $35.00
The Scent Trail: How One Woman's Quest for the Perfect Perfume Took Her Around the World ImageThe Scent Trail: How One Woman's Quest for the Perfect Perfume Took Her Around the World
by Celia Lyttelton
NAL Trade; Published: 2009-02-03; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.91
Price in other shops: $15.00
The Emperor of Scent: A True Story of Perfume and Obsession ImageThe Emperor of Scent: A True Story of Perfume and Obsession
by Chandler Burr
Random House Trade Paperbacks; Published: 2004-02-10; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.69
Price in other shops: $16.00
Perfumes: The Guide ImagePerfumes: The Guide
by Luca Turin, Tania Sanchez
Viking Adult; Published: 2008-04-10; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $4.90
Price in other shops: $27.95
The Secret of Scent: Adventures in Perfume and the Science of Smell ImageThe Secret of Scent: Adventures in Perfume and the Science of Smell
by Luca Turin
Ecco; Published: 2006-11-07; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $7.95
Price in other shops: $23.95
The Emperor of Scent: A Story of Perfume, Obsession, and the Last Mystery of the Senses ImageThe Emperor of Scent: A Story of Perfume, Obsession, and the Last Mystery of the Senses
by Chandler Burr
Random House; Published: 2003-01-21; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $17.78
Price in other shops: $24.95
Perfume: The Alchemy of Scent ImagePerfume: The Alchemy of Scent
by Jean-Claude Ellena
Arcade Publishing; Published: 2011-11-15; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $14.02
Price in other shops: $22.95
Essence and Alchemy: A Natural History of Perfume ImageEssence and Alchemy: A Natural History of Perfume
by Mandy Aftel
Gibbs Smith; Published: 2004-10-06; Paperback; Book
Best price: $10.43
Price in other shops: $16.99
The Secret of Scent: Adventures in Perfume and the Science of Smell ImageThe Secret of Scent: Adventures in Perfume and the Science of Smell
by Luca Turin
Harper Perennial; Published: 2007-10-23; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.66
Price in other shops: $13.99
Perfumes: The A-Z Guide ImagePerfumes: The A-Z Guide
by Luca Turin, Tania Sanchez
Penguin (Non-Classics); Published: 2009-10-27; Paperback; Book
Best price: $11.35
Price in other shops: $20.00
Book store. Illustrated catalog of books on different categories