A Natural History of the Senses

Rating:
Summary: A New Look At Our World
Review: This is such a delight of a book! Diane Ackerman takes the time to stop and smell the roses... well smell, touch, taste, hear and see the rose. Even though the five senses are our only way of knowing the world for the most part we just take them for granted-but no more!

Taking each of these senses in turn Ackerman delves into every aspect imaginable of that sense- cultural, psychological and historical. While usually few things frustrate me more than an unfocused writer that is not the case in this work. Ackerman is not so much trying to head anywhere, as she is trying to explore these topics, so her meanderings are delightful rather than aggravating.

The single most impressive thing about this book is how researched it seems to be. While Ackerman's insights and style certainly are not insignificant the enlightening (and sometimes strange) facts that fill this book make it so enjoyable to spend a lazy afternoon with. This was my first book by Diane Ackerman but it will certainly not be my last!

Rating:
Summary: A Fantastic Journey From First Page To Last
Review: This is the most beautiful book I have ever read. It opened my eyes to the world and how its viewed by all of our senses. I will never just brew myself a cup of coffee ever again. Instead, I will feel the grinds in my hand, savor the rich aroma, hear the pop and hum of the coffee maker and then taste the rich, earthy coffee.
Yes, this is a journey for the senses but also an expansion of the mind. Ackerman expands the mind with some of the most interesting facts about nature, science, and history. Not boring humdrum facts you could care less about but meaningful tidbits of knowledge you'll want to impress your friends with.
This is not just a book; it's an experience; for your senses, your mind, and your soul.

Rating:
Summary: A Fantastic Journey From First Page To Last
Review: This is the most beautiful book I have ever read. It opened my eyes to the world and how its viewed by all of our senses. I will never just brew myself a cup of coffee ever again. Instead, I will feel the grinds in my hand, savor the rich aroma, hear the pop and hum of the coffee maker and then taste the rich, earthy coffee.
Yes, this is a journey for the senses but also an expansion of the mind. Ackerman expands the mind with some of the most interesting facts about nature, science, and history. Not boring humdrum facts you could care less about but meaningful tidbits of knowledge you'll want to impress your friends with.
This is not just a book; it's an experience; for your senses, your mind, and your soul.

Rating:
Summary: Truly a favorite book.
Review: This rich book opens and calms mind, emotions and (of course) the senses. Inspiring and delighting. I was so moved by the rich, poetic discriptions that I "woke up" just a little bit more to how wonderful life is, and how lucky we are to be alive. Her word are poety.

Rating:
Summary: Feast for the eyes!
Review: Totally sense-sual! This book is the literary equivalent of an erotic all-you-can-eat buffet! Ackerman demonstrates the beauty and eroticism of the everyday bathed in pools of pure primal desire! She is the epitome of the scholarly hedonist sharing her eclectic interests and leaving her audience panting for more.

Rating:
Summary: Motivating, relaxing, thought-provoking and interesting.
Review: We read "Natural History of the senses" last month for our book club and we loved it. I was glad for the background information on the senses and how they work (this was not new to me). However, Diane did a great job describing these different senses using humans as well as animals. It is quite amazing how easy we take things for granted. I liked it very much. In fact, our host for the month decided to do something different by baking a cinnamon loaf which was just lovely. We just sat around the table and savoured the aroma and taste of the bread. it was truly relaxing. Thank you Diane for waking us up from our deep sleep. As a result, I am paying more attention to things around me. My friends in the book club feel the same way. Good job !!!!

Rating:
Summary: A JOY IN EVERY SENSE
Review: What a beautifully written book! It touched all of my senses...including my sense of humor, my sense of wonder and my sense of hope that there are more wonderful books like this.

Rating:
Summary: Poetry and Science
Review: When I first read Diane Ackerman's book it opened my eyes, just as these other reviews testify. It does seem to be a book people either love or hate (I have some friends who thought it was sentimental babbling) but that doesn't change how extravagantly Ackerman uses language itself to convey the lush world of the senses. I teach a creative writing course at SFSU and I use the book to promote both that poetic description and the possibilities for experience and awareness the book evokes. An excellent example of the ways poetry can be used to explain science and experience.