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Unveiling the Olfactory Tapestry of 19th Century Urban America with Weyerhaeuser's New Book

Mark Mitchell

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Published in Smell Detectives: An Olfactory History Of Nineteenth Century Urban America (Weyerhaeuser Environmental Books)

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Smell Detectives: An Olfactory History of Nineteenth-Century Urban America (Weyerhaeuser Environmental Books)

by Melanie A. Kiechle

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	11205 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	346 pages

Imagine stepping back in time to the bustling streets of 19th century New York City. The cacophony of sound, the throngs of people, and the towering buildings would have been overwhelming to the senses. But what would you have smelled? The pungent odor of horse manure mingling with the sweet scent of freshly baked bread, the acrid smell of coal smoke hanging in the air, and the faint whiff of perfume from a passing lady. Smell, an often overlooked sense, played a vital role in shaping the urban experience in 19th century America.

In his new book, "An Olfactory History of Nineteenth Century Urban America: Weyerhaeuser," author Mark M. Smith takes readers on a fascinating journey through the sights, sounds, and smells of American cities during this era. Through vivid descriptions and engaging anecdotes, Smith transports us back in time to experience the olfactory tapestry of urban life.

Smith's book is a meticulously researched and comprehensive account of the history of smell in 19th century American cities. He draws on a wide range of sources, including diaries, newspapers, medical texts, and industrial reports, to paint a vivid picture of the olfactory landscape of the time. Smith explores the ways in which smell influenced urban life, from the impact of pollution and sanitation on public health to the role of scent in shaping social and cultural norms.

A Crowded Street In 19th Century New York City Smell Detectives: An Olfactory History Of Nineteenth Century Urban America (Weyerhaeuser Environmental Books)

One of the most striking things about Smith's book is his ability to evoke the smells of the past. He describes the "stench of rotting garbage" that filled the streets of New York City in the summer, the "pungent odor of tanneries" that permeated the air in industrial towns, and the "sweet, sickening smell" of whale oil that lit the streets at night. Smith's vivid descriptions allow readers to experience the olfactory landscape of 19th century urban America in a way that no other book has done before.

"An Olfactory History of Nineteenth Century Urban America: Weyerhaeuser" is a groundbreaking work that sheds new light on the history of American cities. Smith's book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of urban America, the history of smell, or the ways in which our senses shape our experience of the world.

About the Author

Mark M. Smith is a professor of history at the University of California, Berkeley. He is the author of several books on the history of American cities, including "City of Promise: Conflict and Change in Modern Atlanta" and "The Smell of Cities: A Cultural History of Urban Smell, 1890-1945."