Biography: science, technology and medicine Books

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisWho was Sabina Spielrein? Her dramatic life story is most famous for her notorious affair with Carl Jung, dramatised in the film A Dangerous Method starring Keira Knightley. Yet she was a woman who overcame family and psychiatric abuse to become an original thinker in the field of psychotherapy. This is the first biography to put her life and ideas at the centre of the story, and to examine Spielrein's key role in the development of psychoanalysis and in the rift between Jung and Freud.Drawing on fresh research into Spielrein's diaries, papers and correspondence, John Launer tells the story of a passionate woman who transformed herself from one of Jungs disturbed patients into a leading figure in Western psychology, then the Soviet intelligentsia, before losing her life in the Holocaust. At the heart of Sex Versus Survival is the gripping tale of Spielrein and Jungs tumultuous affair, which played such an important role in both of their lives and intTrade Review'An excellent book and a labor of love, a gripping account of Spielrein's life and work, illuminated by a narrative of contemporaneous historical events' Henry Lothane, Journal of American Psychoanalytical Association'Spielrein emerges from the murk with more credit than either Freud or Jung. She pushed on with her career at the forefront of child psychology' Spectator'Launer's well researched book is a tribute to a remarkable woman who, by analysing her own experience of abuse, went on to make a difference to others as a leading child psychologist... This memorable book finally gives her the recognition she deserves' The Lady'Launer is not just Spielrein's biographer, he is her champion. He gives the neglected female at last the place she deserves in the development of the talking therapies' Jewish Chronicle'Remarkable, ground-breaking work... With grace and scholarly passion, Launer offers a radical new biography that places Spielrein where she belongs as a figure of major importance in twentieth century thought' Professor Stephen Frosh, Birkbeck College and author of For and Against Psychoanalysis'This is an absorbing account... Launer clearly finds his subject inspiring, particularly in her attempts to synthesize the work of Freud, Jung, and Eugen Bleuler with the evolutionary thinking of Charles Darwin' Times Literary Supplement'This wonderful book is the first full-length biography in English of Sabina Spielrein... as John Launer reveals, a highly original thinker whose work is only now becoming appreciated' Professor Michael J. Reiss, University of London

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “[A] masterpiece . . . an astonishing book that will leave you questioning your own life and political views.”—USA Today “If any one person can be given credit for transforming the medical establishment’s thinking about health care for the destitute, it is Paul Farmer. . . . [Mountains Beyond Mountains] inspires, discomforts, and provokes.”—The New York Times (Best Books of the Year)In medical school, Paul Farmer found his life’s calling: to cure infectious diseases and to bring the lifesaving tools of modern medicine to those who need them most. Tracy Kidder’s magnificent account shows how one person can make a difference in solving global health problems through a clear-eyed understanding of the interaction of politics, wealth, social systems, and disease. Profound and powerful, Mountains Beyond Mountains takes us from Harva

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe astonishing true story behind sleep science: from staying awake for 115 consecutive hours to living in a cave for 32 daysTrade Review‘A propulsive, utterly engrossing history.’ —New York Times‘By profiling the daring pioneers of sleep science, this fascinating, magisterially researched, and brilliantly written book pulls back the covers on one of the great mysteries of being human: why we spend a full third of our lives engaged in an activity that scientists are only beginning to understand. You'll never think about something you do every night the same way again.’ —Steve Silberman, author of Neurotribes‘Mr Miller has a good eye for a great scientific story… The author is happy to show research as it is really done, indignities and all… For anyone curious about asking the right questions [about sleep], Mr Miller’s book is a good place to start.’ —Economist'It is rare that the history of a scientific field and the emergence of a medical sub-speciality are eloquently summarized in a single volume. In Mapping the Darkness, journalist Kenneth Miller achieves just that, with the tale of how pioneering researchers created the scientific and clinical discipline of sleep...This book engagingly tells the story of a young scientific and medical discipline that is still spreading its wings.' —Nature‘A sweeping journey of discovery about dreams, sleep and the terra incognita of unconsciousness; and a wake-up call about the dangers of chronic exhaustion.’ —Wall Street Journal‘Is there anyone who hasn't—somewhere in the middle of a lost night—pondered the stubborn mystery of sleep? You'll find some of the best answers to that riddle here in Mapping the Darkness: an addictively readable history of the scientists who changed our thinking about the nature and necessity of rest itself.’ —Deborah Blum, author of The Poison Squad‘Combining the best of science writing and biography, Kenneth Miller spins a gripping story of how we have come to understand sleep from its basic biology to its impact on personal and public health.’ —Daisy Hernández, author of The Kissing Bug‘Thoroughly researched and admirably rendered, Mapping the Darkness is a must-read for anyone who has thought about sleep or the lack thereof.’ —Charlotte D. Jacobs, author of Jonas Salk: A Life‘In Mapping the Darkness, Kenneth Miller reveals the captivating story of how a quartet of scientists invented sleep science and set the stage for today’s revolt against the epidemic of sleep deprivation… Don’t start reading this book right before bed, or you will be so engrossed you may stay up all night.’ —Laura J. Snyder, author of The Philosophical Breakfast Club‘Eye-opening… The biographical background humanises the scientific history, and Miller excels at drawing out the real-world implications of the research… Readers will have no problem staying alert through this fascinating scientific history.’ —Publishers Weekly, starred review‘An interesting examination of an issue that affects us all. Miller shows us how a good night’s sleep came to be recognized as critical for health and development.’ —Kirkus

Read more less