Tuesday, October 11, 2011

A Perfect Red: Empire, Espionage, and the Quest for the Color of Desire

A Perfect Red
A Perfect Red: Empire, Espionage, and the Quest for the Color of Desire
by Amy Butler Greenfield
4.7 out of 5 stars(28)

Buy new: $15.99 $10.87
86 used & new from $4.99

(Visit the Most Gifted in Chemistry list for authoritative information on this product's current rank.)

Review & Description

In the sixteenth century, one of the world's most precious commodities was cochineal, a legendary red dye treasured by the ancient Mexicans and sold in the great Aztec marketplaces, where it attracted the attention of the Spanish conquistadors. Shipped to Europe, the dye created a sensation, producing the brightest, strongest red the world had ever seen. Soon Spain's cochineal monopoly was worth a fortune. As the English, French, Dutch, and other Europeans joined the chase for cochineal -- a chase that lasted for more than three centuries -- a tale of pirates, explorers, alchemists, scientists, and spies unfolds. A Perfect Red evokes with style and verve this history of a grand obsession, of intrigue, empire, and adventure in pursuit of the most desirable color on earth.

Read more


Find the best price Click Here

No comments:

Post a Comment