"The Natural History of the Senses"

Paper Summary:

The paper examines Ackerman's book "The Natural History of the Senses" that spans an experiential history of all five senses. The paper explains Ackerman's premise that it is essential to use a multifaceted approach to understanding human sensory experiences. The paper discusses how human biology influences the way people experience the sensory world. The paper explains that cultural and social influences affect the ways in which these biologically generated impulses are experienced throughout history, in different areas of the world and from person to person. The paper asserts that one will never smell, touch, taste, hear, or see the world the same after reading "The Natural History of the Senses."

From the Paper:

"Diane Ackerman, author of The Natural History of the Senses, seems to posses the ideal qualifications to author such an enterprising and all-encompassing work. According to the author's own website, Ackerman is a noted author of poetry, memoir, and nonfiction. Her education is grounded in both creative and academic training. She received an M.A., M.F.A. and Ph.D. from Cornell University. Previous to writing A Natural History of the Senses in 1990, Ackerman authored several volumes of poetry, and has written a kind of sequel after The Natural History of the Sense's success, called The Natural History of Love. She has authored a book for children on animal's senses, and even has a molecule named after her, called "dianeackerone.""

Sample of Sources Used:

• "Diane Ackerman--Home."Author's Official Website. Last updated 2006. [12 Nov 2006] <http://www.dianeackerman.com/>

More papers on "The Natural History of the Senses":

• Book Review # 36763 : "Natural History of the Senses"
• Essay # 68664 : "Culture and the 'Natural' Woman"
• Analytical Essay # 68033 : "Refuge: An Unnatural History of Family and Place"

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