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Avery Gilbert’s What the Nose Knows Nominated for Royal Society Science Book Prize

The scent expert spoke in the S&C Science of the Five Senses Series.

Published June 25, 2009

What the Nose Knows: The Science of Scent in Everyday Life, a book by New York scent expert Avery Gilbert, has been shortlisted by the Royal Society to win its 2009 Prize for Science Books. The book was also a finalist for the 2008 Los Angeles Times Book Prize in Science & Technology. Gilbert has conducted research on human odor perception in academic laboratories and in the R&D divisions of multinational perfume companies. The book, his first, is a fast-paced tour of the latest discoveries in scent and how they challenge long-held beliefs about the sense of smell.

Royal Society judges noted: "One of the things you really appreciate about this book is the feeling that you are in the presence of someone who really knows the subject. He's worked in the fragrance industry and in academic research and engagingly leads you into his fascinating world. Since reading this book we've all thought more about the scents around us and our oft-neglected sense of smell."

Gilbert spoke about the science of smell at the Academy in 2008 as part of the Science & the City Five Senses series. Listen to a podcast of his presentation.