中文简介：

从植物和授粉者的角度对香味的自然历史和人类对香味的感知进行了精彩的探索。 长期以来，植物一直利用芳香化合物的化学特性来塑造它们周围的世界。乳香属的乳香树脂可以密封受伤的组织，保护树木免受病原体的入侵。茉莉花产生一种叫做芳樟醇的分子，以其花香吸引授粉的飞蛾。烟草使用一种类似的叫苄基丙酮的甜味化合物来吸引传粉者。然而，在植物的进化史上，人类只是在最近才学会利用它们的香味来引诱、治疗、保护和改变自己的情绪。 在这本内容广泛且易于理解的新书中，由生物学家转行的制香师伊利斯·弗农·珀尔斯廷（Elise Vernon Pearlstine）颠覆了我们以人类为中心的对香味的认知，并研究了植物创造芳香分子的进化原因。珀尔斯廷深入研究了精神、财富、权力、嗜好、皇室、幻想等主题，揭示了芳香物质的自然历史以及它们与人类文化和文明的交集。

英文简介：

A fascinating exploration of the natural history of scent and human perceptions of fragrance from the viewpoint of plant and pollinator Plants have long harnessed the chemical characteristics of aromatic compounds to shape the world around them. Frankincense resin from the genus Boswellia seals injured tissues and protects trees from invading pathogens. Jasmine produces a molecule called linalool that attracts pollinating moths with its flowery scent. Tobacco uses a similarly sweet-smelling compound called benzyl acetone to attract pollinators. Only recently in the evolutionary history of plants, however, have humans learned to co-opt their fragrances to seduce, heal, protect, and alter moods themselves. In this wide-ranging and accessible new book, biologist-turned-perfumer Elise Vernon Pearlstine turns our human-centered perception of fragrance on its head and investigates plants' evolutionary reasons for creating aromatic molecules. Delving into themes of spirituality, wealth, power, addiction, royalty, fantasy, and more, Pearlstine uncovers the natural history of aromatic substances and their intersection with human culture and civilization.