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Synopsis
A Perfect Red recounts the colourful history of cochineal, a legendary red dye that was once one of the world's most precious commodities. Treasured by the ancient Mexicans, cochineal was sold in the great Aztec marketplaces, where it attracted the attention of the Spanish conquistadors in 1519. 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.
Desperate to find their own sources of the elusive dye, the English, the French, the Dutch, and other Europeans tried to crack the enigma of cochineal. Did it come from a worm, a berry, a seed? Could it be stolen from Mexico and transplanted to their own colonies? Pirates, explorers, alchemists, scientists, and spies - all joined the chase for cochineal, a chase that lasted for more than three centuries. A Perfect Red tells their stories - true-life tales of mystery, empire, and adventure, in pursuit of the most desirable colour on earth.
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Product Description
Treasured by the ancient Mexicans, cochineal was sold in the great Aztec marketplaces, where it attracted the attention of the Spanish conquistadors. Shipped to Europe, the dye produces the brightest red the world had ever seen. The English, the French, and other Europeans tried to crack the enigma of cochineal. Did it come from a worm, or a seed?
Review
"Greenfield is at her best ... such gaudy and vaunting stories ... would make a great movie" (Independent on Sunday)
"In a flexible, multifaceted narrative ... Greenfield spins out, in clipped prose, a unique story ... well stocked with colourful characters ... gripplingly related" (TLS)
"An eye-opener" (Literary Review)
"A Perfect Red gives you a new respect for what you might have thought was just another colour" (New York Times Book Review)
"Superbly researched history of cochineal red, full of angles and tangents, curiosities and arcana ...sprightly and charming" (Washington Post)
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherBlack Swan
- Publication date2006
- ISBN 10 0552771287
- ISBN 13 9780552771283
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages432
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A Perfect Red: Empire, Espionage And The Quest For The Colour Of Desire
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Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR001351575
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A Perfect Red: Empire, Espionage and the Quest for the Colour of Desire
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Paperback. Condition: Good. 432 pages. Cover worn Once one of the world's most precious commodities, cochineal was shipped to Europe from Mexico, where the red dye had captured the attention of the Spanish conquistadors. This book traces the enigma of cochineal, as well as looking at the attempts of other Europeans to unlocks its secrets. Seller Inventory # 2060k
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A Perfect Red: Empire, Espionage and the Quest for the Colour of Desire
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A Perfect Red: Empire, Espionage And The Quest For The Colour Of Desire
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A Perfect Red: Empire, Espionage and Amy Butler Greenfield
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