The Secret Lives of Color

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The Secret Lives of Color

Selected as one of USA Today's "100 Books to Read While Stuck at Home During the Coronavirus Crisis," this captivating gift unveils the untold history of colors and the captivating narratives woven around them, presented in a stunning multicolored volume.

"Beautifully written... Full of anecdotes and fascinating research, this elegant compendium has all the answers." — NPR, Best Books of 2017

The Secret Lives of Color unveils the extraordinary tales behind seventy-five intriguing shades, dyes, and hues. From the significance of blonde and ginger, the brown that altered the course of battles, to the protective white against the plague, Picasso’s iconic blue period, and the charcoal on the cave walls at Lascaux. It explores acid yellow to kelly green, scarlet women to imperial purple, threading these surprising stories throughout history.

Kassia St. Clair, driven by a lifelong fascination with colors and their origins, transforms her passion—whether exploring Van Gogh’s chrome yellow sunflowers or punk’s fluorescent pink—into a unique exploration of human civilization. Covering fashion, politics, art, and war, The Secret Lives of Color reveals the vibrant tale of our culture through the captivating stories of color.

"This passionate and majestic compendium will leave you bathed in the gorgeous optics of light." — Elle