The Book of Oud

Ancient. Evocative. Spiritual. For centuries the world has been captivated by the dark heartwood of a tropical tree which, when struck by lightning or attacked by insects, creates an amber resin coveted by royalty and celebrities for its rich, deep scent . . . a resin called Oud. Join Michael Levin on a journey of discovery as he travels from the gleaming retail halls of Harrods to the lush plantations of Thailand to the teeming streets of New York City. Meet the visionaries and revolutionaries transforming the face of Oud production. Discover the role of Oud oil in the modern beauty and health industries, which are creating new skincare and perfume recipes to appeal to a hungry market. In a booming global industry, meet the men and women rewriting international law to defend agarwood plantations from the poachers who would decimate our environment and let the miracles of Oud disappear for future generations. Learn what it’s like to have a bespoke perfume created for you from distilled Oud oil, or how just smelling Oud can transform your brain . . . and your soul. Travel back to the ancient world and the spiritual origins of Oud in religious ceremonies and Ayurvedic medicine, and learn just how the centuries have deepened the mysteries surrounding the heart of Oud. Touch it. Smell it. Experience it. From soil to oil to you.