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| | Description | Now revised and updated, this acclaimed book takes an in-depth look at the latest scientific research in to the brain. Pulitzer Prize-winner Ronald Kotulak reveals n ew understandings of how nature builds the brain then develo ps it during early life. ' | |
| | Product Details | | Author: | Ronald Kotulak | | Paperback: | 222 pages | | Publisher: | Andrews McMeel Publishing | | Publication Date: | August 01, 1997 | | Language: | English | | ISBN: | 0836232895 | | Product Length: | 9.08 inches | | Product Width: | 5.99 inches | | Product Height: | 0.7 inches | | Product Weight: | 0.79 pounds | | Package Length: | 8.9 inches | | Package Width: | 5.9 inches | | Package Height: | 0.8 inches | | Package Weight: | 0.7 pounds | | Average Customer Rating: |  based on 19 reviews |
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| | Customer Reviews | Average Customer Review: ( 19 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 25 found the following review helpful:
 Nice, informative little book. Mar 24, 2002
By Carlos Camara
"marrorris2"
This book raises some very important issues. It is a popular account of some not-so-modern-anymore research in brain plasticity, development and neurochemistry, as well as some genetics. The main points the author wishes to get across are the fact that the brain is molded by the enviroment, that molecular neurobiology is beginnig to use the brain's plasticity to heal it, and that behavior and personality have strong biological bases. All of these points are corroborated, and the book discusses work done by lots of interviewed neuroscienctists. The text is real easy to understand, and has a lot of valuable information in it. It is by a journalist, and reads like a piece of journalism.
The thing I most dislike about these kinds of books is that thay are too optimistic. Yes, you understood right. ONly one side of the debate is presented. And the research discussed is oversimplified to astonishing degrees. I mean, it is not scienctifically responsible to make claims like "receptor x is for agressiveness, receptor y for attentiveness, receptor z for arousal". Those are gross simplifications. It is simply ridiculous to make such claims. Another thing is that the author fails to mention that almost every research mentioned is contested by some other that failed to get the same results. Genes or receptors for this or that arise every week, are refuted the next week, and brought back to life the next week after that. The field is really promising, but it is also really murky right now.
The discussion on plasticity, new thechniques fighting strokes and Altzheimers, and the importance of enviroment on development are pretty accurate, however. The author does a good job in showing the great impact the change of view from "hard-wired" to "fluid" has had in the neurosciences. This is really some of the most iteresting issues, and those that most easily will have an impact on daily life. But the book is by no means scientifically rigorous.
28 of 29 found the following review helpful:
A good solid beginning for those interested in the brain May 13, 2000
By K. L Sadler
"Dr. Karen L. Sadler"
I tend to collect books on the brain, partly because of my personal interest and the fact that I am a neuroscientist and an educator, especially of Deaf and hard-of-hearing people. I am always on the lookout for good quality books which provide simple but concise descriptions of the brain's capacities and the impact of drugs, alcohol, and injuries on the brain. Kotulak does a pretty good job, and actually provided me with some interesting information which wasn't available in textbooks. He also backed up his information with reliable research, even though it gets confusing occasionally between hard science researchers such as those who do MRI and catscan studies of the brain, and soft science researchers or those who are in the psychiatric professions. He does the reader a favor by providing them other places to go if they find a particular part of the brain or the problems of the brain by quoting these researchers and providing them as references. On the whole the book is worthwhile, and it is available for my students and peers to read as a good start in basic neuroscience. Karen Sadler, Science Education, University of Pittsburgh, klsst23@pitt.edu
19 of 19 found the following review helpful:
 A positive and useful book about the brain Oct 06, 2000
By Heika Sample
When this book was first assigned in a college course, I sighed inwardly, imagining long nights filled with tongue twisting neurobabble in my future. So I was happily surprised when I found the writing to be consise, easy-to-read, and above all, interesting. Inside the Brain is written for the non scientist by a non scientist. The theories discussed are riveting. I never had any idea that child rearing before the age of five could have such a positive or negative affect on a child's brain. Or that violence can become hard-wired through the environment a child is raised in. The discussion of addiction and alcoholism is fascinating. I would be very happy if a cure for these deadly and humiliating diseases was found in the near future. Although much of what is presented in the book is grim, Kotulak manages to put a touch of hope into all of the findings. People from all walks of life would benefit from the information found in this book.
15 of 15 found the following review helpful:
Readable and timely pieces on the human brain Dec 12, 1998
Kotulak provides the interested layman with a series of short chapters dealing with relatively recent discoveries about how the human brain works, how early experiences affect brain chemistry (and behavior), and what can be done to maintain maximum brain efficiency. It is a fine introduction to the neurobiology of the brain and recent discoveries that will have a lasting impact on how we view human behavior. Chapters are concise and to-the-point and leave the reader with much to ponder. More diagrams and illustrations would have greatly improved the book, but the price is right. I teach an adult course on brain biology, and of all the affordable "brain" books I reviewed this one works out best as a reference source for students in terms of stimulating discussion.
14 of 14 found the following review helpful:
Interesting Aug 23, 1999
By Gerald J. Gambale
The book is very readable and easy to understand. The author captures very intricate aspects of the brain and put it in simple terms and forms that anyone can comprehend. The author should be commended for this because anyone who has taken courses in the study of the brain, knows that this area is extremely complicated and difficult to comprehend. A good Job. Thanks.
See all 19 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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