"The Secret Lives of Color tells the unusual stories of seventy-five fascinating shades, dyes, and hues. From blonde to ginger, the brown that changed the way battles were fought to the white that protected against the plague, Picasso’s blue period to the charcoal on the cave walls at Lascaux, acid yellow to kelly green, and from scarlet women to imperial purple, these surprising stories run like a bright thread throughout history. In this book, Kassia…
This is a beautifully constructed encyclopedia of colorants, with short stories and histories of each subject. I enjoyed reading it for pleasure and it provided much-needed context for my historical research. Working out of my home, I don’t have easy access to these colorants. This book helped fill in the gaps of my understanding and helped me feel like I shared the vision of those I researched.