A Perfect Red

Empire, Espionage, and the Quest for the Color of Desire

Nonfiction, Art & Architecture, Art Technique, General Art, History
Cover of the book A Perfect Red by Amy Butler Greenfield, HarperCollins e-books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Amy Butler Greenfield ISBN: 9780061980893
Publisher: HarperCollins e-books Publication: October 6, 2009
Imprint: HarperCollins e-books Language: English
Author: Amy Butler Greenfield
ISBN: 9780061980893
Publisher: HarperCollins e-books
Publication: October 6, 2009
Imprint: HarperCollins e-books
Language: English

A Perfect Red recounts the colorful 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, French, 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 more than three centuries. A Perfect Red tells their stories -- true-life tales of mystery, empire, and adventure, in pursuit of the most desirable color on earth.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

A Perfect Red recounts the colorful 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, French, 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 more than three centuries. A Perfect Red tells their stories -- true-life tales of mystery, empire, and adventure, in pursuit of the most desirable color on earth.

More books from HarperCollins e-books

Cover of the book Fathers and Babies by Amy Butler Greenfield
Cover of the book No Bone Unturned by Amy Butler Greenfield
Cover of the book The Maytrees by Amy Butler Greenfield
Cover of the book We'll Always Have Paris by Amy Butler Greenfield
Cover of the book The Welcome Home Garden Club by Amy Butler Greenfield
Cover of the book Sunday Money by Amy Butler Greenfield
Cover of the book The Magicians' Guild by Amy Butler Greenfield
Cover of the book Lying in Weight by Amy Butler Greenfield
Cover of the book Condi vs. Hillary by Amy Butler Greenfield
Cover of the book Trophies by Amy Butler Greenfield
Cover of the book Missing Witness by Amy Butler Greenfield
Cover of the book Joe and Me by Amy Butler Greenfield
Cover of the book The Boy on the Far Left by Amy Butler Greenfield
Cover of the book Finding Moon by Amy Butler Greenfield
Cover of the book Salad as a Meal by Amy Butler Greenfield
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy