Monday, September 15, 2008

Roja Dove's New Book at a Discount for our Readers

Roja Dove, for years "professeur des parfums" at Guerlain and mastermind of Harrod's Haute Parfumerie in London (a Mekka pilgrimage for any perfume afficionado) has written a new book, The Essence of Perfume. What is it about?
"Dove leads us on a fascinating journey through the world of scent, from Ancient Egypt, where myth has it that the fragrance Kypi induced mass surrender, through to the 1920s, when Jean Harlow's husband--maddened by his love and frustrated by his impotence--drenched himself in his wife's perfume before ending his life. We read about the bitter rivalry between Coco Chanel and "that Italian", Elsa Schiaparelli, and how this inspired some of history's most iconic scents. The Essence of Perfume is the first book by the world's only Professeur de Parfums, and it is as captivating as it is informative. Beginning with a comprehensive discussion of the sense of smell and the materials of the master perfumer, The Essence of Perfume goes on to celebrate the great classics, the makers who brought them to life and the designers who gave them shape. In an age where the methods and motivations of the original perfumers are all but forgotten, Roja Dove unfolds the gripping story of scent with all the passion and devotion of a true artist".

Like Hannah Betts of the Sunday Times said: "If there's a perfume that Roja doesn't have an anecdote about I have yet to discover it. Talking perfume with mr.Dove is as rich a pleasure as it is a priviledge."

Published by Black Dog Publishing, its official issue date is 28 October 2008.
Hardback, 288 pages, 350 b/w and colour illustrations
ISBN: 978 1 906155 49 0
UK price £40.00

However, apart from pre-ordering at Amazon, you can get a 40% discount on the retail price by contacting Jess Atkins at jess@blackdogonline.com stating "Perfume Shrine discount" in the title of your mail.

Pics through Black Dog Publishing, not to be reproduced without permission

7 comments:

  1. Anonymous18:00

    The publication date that you have given is actually the US date. It came out over in the UK just over a week ago. I already have my copy.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you PB.

    This is the date I got through the press release material, so I gather they are interested in the US readers.
    I don't doubt you have been quick to get a copy of R's new endeavour, I know you have appreciation for that kind of thing :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ooh thank- you very much for this!

    ReplyDelete
  4. You're very welcome Rose :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I just got my copy yesterday, unfortunately I ordered before knowing about the discount. Anyway, the book contains lots of beautiful photos and info about perfumes in general, I wished only the author has written just a little bit more about the individual scents, in that sense Perfume Legends is still the best book in the category.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh, that's a pity, L...didn't know you planned to order.
    Thanks for the comparison!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Don't worry, at least I got the book a few days earlier ;-).

    ReplyDelete

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