Who knew that such a tiny bottle housed so many secrets? -- Michael Tonello author of Bringing Home the Birkin Here is the life of one of the 20th century s most interesting and deeply complicated women a fascinating cultural history and the story of an extraordinary perfume. -- Chandler Burr New York Times scent critic and author of The Perfect Scent Tilar J. Mazzeo author of the New York Times bestseller The Widow Clicquot (an Amazon Best of the Month book in October 2008) returns with a captivating history of the world s most famous seductive and popular perfume: Chanel No. 5. Mazzeo s sweeping story of the iconic scent (known as le monstre in the fragrance industry) stretches from Coco Chanel s early success to the rise of the seminal fragrance during the 1950s to the confirmation of its bestseller status in today s crowded perfume market.