In 2015, a commotion erupted on social media surrounding a dress. Half of the people described it as blue and black, while the other half saw it as white and gold. This, of course, demonstrated both how subjective color is and how much discomfort we feel when we have to define a shade.

We often forget how important color is in our lives. But if we think about the traffic lights that regulate traffic, or if we try to talk about the eyes of a loved one, we realize how crucial a role it plays in our everyday lives.

This book analyzes seventy-seven shades that fall within the broader categories of colors in the visible spectrum. From Michelle Obama's nude dress to the brown in military uniforms that changed the way battles are conducted, from Picasso’s blue period to the ochre used by prehistoric humans on the walls of caves—these fascinating stories illuminate unseen aspects of color and introduce us to their allure.

Kassia St Clair undertook a challenging endeavor, and thanks to her passion for color, she managed to write this study on the interconnected relationship between human history and color.