Perfume: The Alchemy of Scent

So far, I like this. Nice little history. Good perspective by the author.

This book is pure elegance — much like Jean-Claude Ellena’s fragrances. Perfume: The Alchemy of Scent feels less like a technical manual and more like a poetic conversation with someone who truly understands the art of scent. Ellena writes with precision, restraint, and grace, revealing how emotion, memory, and minimalism shape the perfumes he creates. Even if you’re not a perfumer, his insights into creativity and sensory awareness are fascinating. A must-read for anyone who loves fragrance, artistry, or the quiet genius of turning air into emotion.

An introduction to the history and business of creating and marketing perfume and related fragrance products. Each of the chapters is short and summary in nature. The author sacrifices technical detail for scope. On balance, and given that his readers know little to nothing of the subject (or of organic chemistry, etc), he does a good job pulling all the threads together. If you are curious about the science, art, and business of perfume making and selling, this book is a good beginning.

A great book on how the author got his start in perfumery and a good breakdown on how he came up with the ideas of some of his most popular fragrances. I've read some of the other reviews that I guess expected a book on how to start making perfume but that's not possible in a relatively short book especially when you are looking into using synthetics along with naturally derived ingredients. It's not a science book it's an artist explaining his own process. Near the end of the book he devotes a few chapters explaining how a finished product makes it to your local department store shelf which is also pretty fascinating. If you are looking for a "How to make perfume" book this isn't it but its an amazing book regardless.

I am not the best reader but this book truly got my attention, the way it is written, it’s easy to ready - it is light and educative, I personally enjoyed everything including the perfumer of course and his perspective, it inspired me a lot and I would read it again. I like that the book was not too long and he didn’t try to drag information like many writers do to sell big book.

I was hoping this book would break down more what I would need to know to begin my own perfume creating journey. This book is more of a memoir by this gentleman. I also dislike that he basically suggests you don’t have “good taste” if you don’t like the classics, such as Chanel No. 5 and Opium. I had been told from multiple sources that this is a must for an aspiring perfume maker, but in my opinion it is not.

I love this book it puts me in the game with the pros. I really get where this is coming from

In discussing the finer points - or notes - of perfume, Jean-Claude Ellena weaves in vital insights into art above and beyond the medium of fragrance. This is an utterly charming and informative book: my only complaint is that the kindle edition is missing a promised “fragrance map” illustration alluded to by the author: an incredibly daft oversight that is unforgivable on the part of the editor and one that should be corrected at once.

Eminently readable, informative and very interesting. Every thing you want to know about the art of creating the most elusive of our senses .... divine perfume.

Excelente libro, se nota que lo hizo un perfumista consolidado y con experiencia. Aporta buenos datos, al contar su experiencia lo hace de la mejor manera, hasta te lo imaginas. Gran libro para quienes están empezando en la perfumería y buscan saber el mundo que lo envuelve. No es muy práctico pero aún así, vale mucho la pena.

As a beginner, this interesting insight into the fragrance world was very helpful...I would definitely recommend this book to anyone wanting to grasp some concepts about a new fragrant world.

Not sure what to say here. The book was delivered and is an ecellent read.

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