Why You Lose Your Car Keys but Never Forget How to Drive and Other Puzzles of Everyday Life
December 3, 2007
Neuroscientists Aamodt, editor-in-chief of Nature Neuroscience
, and Wang, of Princeton University, explain how the human brain—with its 100 billion neurons—processes sensory and cognitive information, regulates our emotional life and forms memories. They also examine how human brains differ from those of other mammals and show what happens to us during dreams. They also tackle such potentially controversial topics as whether men and women have different brains (yes, though what that means in terms of capabilities and behavior, they say, is up in the air) and whether intelligence is shaped more by genes or environment (“genes set an upper limit on people's intelligence, but the environment before birth and during childhood determines whether they reach their full genetic potential”). Distinguishing their book are sidebars that explode myths—no, we do not use only 10% of our brain's potential but nearly all of it—and provide advice on subjects like protecting your brain as you get older. The book could have benefited from a glossary of neurological terms and more illustrations of the brain's structure. Still, this is a terrific, surprisingly fun guide for the general reader. B&w illus.
February 1, 2008
Aamodt and Wang start their short, snappy tour of the nervous system with a pop quiz-multiplechoice questions designed to grab the reader's attention and prove that most of us have a lot to learn about our brains. They continue in the same vein with a first chapter that examines depictions of brain disorders in the movies as a way to examine our assumptions about the nervous system. (Hint: Disney's "Finding Nemo" gets a passing grade.) Later sections cover the senses, lifetime development, emotions, learning, and altered states of consciousness. All this and cute cartoons, too! The authorsa science journalist and a neuroscientist, respectivelyhave written a highly engaging little introduction to the latest in brain science, designed to entice the casual reader who knows little about the subject. One hopes the final product will include a bibliography for those who are inspired to dig deeper. Despite that minor caveat, this book is recommended for all public and school libraries.Mary Ann Hughes, Neill P.L., Pullman, WA
Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.