Cognitive and behavioural neuroscience Books

Book SynopsisA NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER*Why does your foot hit the brake pedal before you are conscious of danger ahead?* *Why is it so difficult to keep a secret?* *How is it possible to get angry at yourself: who, exactly, is mad at whom?* In this sparkling and provocative book, renowned neuroscientist David Eagleman navigates the depths of the subconscious brain. Taking in brain damage, plane spotting, dating, drugs, beauty, infidelity, synaesthesia, criminal law, artificial intelligence and visual illusions, INCOGNITO is a thrilling subsurface exploration of the mind and all its contradictions.Trade ReviewThe Malcolm Gladwell of brain science * * Independent * *[An] entertaining and truly brainy front-line report from the neuroscience labs... I guarantee it'll change the way you think of yourself * * Mail on Sunday * *Incognito is a fascinating book that will not so much turn your mind upside down as flip it right-side up. You'll never hear the phase "You don't know what you're doing!" in the same way again * * Time Out * *Breezy, fun, optimistic and full of the latest research * * The Sunday Times * *Original and provocative... A smart, captivating book that will give you a prefrontal workout * * Nature * *A shining example of lucid and easy-to-grasp science writing * * Independent on Sunday * ****** I was completely immersed. Eagleman writes well and has brought together great stories from the wild shores of neuroresearch, taking a field that is enormously complex and creating a clear path through it... A book that will stay with you -- Michael Mosley, author of THE FAST DIET * * BBC Focus * *A fun read by a smart person for smart people... It will attract a new generation to ponder their inner workings * * New Scientist * *Eagleman engagingly sums up recent discoveries about the unconscious processes that dominate our mental life. . . . [He] is the kind of guy who really does make being a neuroscientist look like fun * * New York Times * *A dream to read... I couldn't resist telling people about a couple of things I read here -- Brian Clegg * * Popular Science * *Witty, bright, sharp and unexpected... as surprising a book as I've read for years. Every story is a new Heaven -- Brian EnoReaders may discover much to appreciate - not least the lives they are living now... quirky, occasionally unsettling... never short of new new ideas, all of them rolled out with style -- Nicholas Tucker * * Independent * *Eagleman provides an excellent overview of the workings of our most vital organ -- Ian Critchley * * Sunday Times * *A well-written popular science book, with a clear narrative, friendly explanations that respect both the lay-reader's intelligence and their ignorance, and a plethora of weird facts that make you nudge the person next to you and say 'Listen to this!' -- Brandon Robshaw * * Independent on Sunday * *Contains startling revelations. . . beginning with the awesome and shadowy power of the subconscious * * The Times * *You will learn a great deal that is fascinating from Incognito * * Guardian * *A popularizer of impressive gusto . . . [Eagleman] aims, grandly, to do for the study of the mind what Copernicus did for the study of the stars. . . Incognito proposes a grand new account of the relationship between consciousness and the brain. It is full of dazzling ideas, as it is chockablock with facts and instances * * New York Observer * *A bold argument, and perhaps just the beginning of the debate * * Sunday Herald * *Eagleman's style is accessible and easily understood * * Press Association * *A fascinating and engaging look at the nature of consciousness... Eagleman brings a concise prose style, historical research and the latest scientific thinking to a book that will have you re-examining the nature of personality and identity * * Big Issue * *Lyrical, unpretentious, always compelling * * Sunday Telegraph * *Eagleman explains scientific ideas with exemplary clarity * * Spectator * *He has a gift for communicating complicated ideas in an accessible and friendly way - Brian Cox with an American accent * * Seven, Sunday Telegraph * *Eagleman has a talent for testing the untestable, for taking seemingly sophomoric notions and using them to nail down the slippery stuff of consciousness * * The New York Times * *Appealing and persuasive * * Wall Street Journal * *Your mind is an elaborate trick, and mastermind David Eagleman explains how the trick works with great lucidity and amazement. Your mind will thank you * * Wired * *

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Book Synopsis'Beautifully written and researched.' - Isabella Tree, author of WildingThe physical world is infinitely complex, yet most of us are able to find our way around it. We can walk through unfamiliar streets while maintaining a sense of direction, take shortcuts along paths we have never used and remember for many years places we have visited only once. These are remarkable achievements.In Wayfinding, Michael Bond explores how we do it: how our brains make the ‘cognitive maps’ that keep us orientated, even in places that we don’t know. He considers how we relate to places, and asks how our understanding of the world around us affects our psychology and behaviour.The way we think about physical space has been crucial to our evolution: the ability to navigate over large distances in prehistoric times gave Homo sapiens an advantage over the rest of the human family. Children are instinctive explorers, developing a spatial understanding as they roam. And yet today few of us make use of the wayfaring skills that we inherited from our nomadic ancestors. Most of us have little idea what we may be losing.Bond seeks an answer to the question of why some of us are so much better at finding our way than others. He also tackles the controversial subject of sex differences in navigation, and finally tries to understand why being lost can be such a devastating psychological experience.For readers of writers as different as Robert Macfarlane and Oliver Sacks, Wayfinding is a book that can change our sense of ourselves.'A fascinating excursion into the very nature of exploration. Absorbing stuff.' – explorer Benedict AllenTrade ReviewFascinating . . . Bond offers stories of phenomenal feats of navigation . . . Ultimately, “we are spatial beings” and Wayfinding skilfully and at times movingly makes the case for how deeply that is true. * Sunday Times *In this fascinating book about our gift for what Michael Bond calls wayfinding, he makes a compelling case that our ancient abilities to get from A to B aren’t just a matter of geography. * New Statesman *Michael Bond’s fascinating, incisive account of how the human brain evolved to keep us orientated throws up intriguing questions about how we live today . . . Beautifully written and researched; I hugely enjoyed this book. -- Isabella Tree, author of WildingTo understand anything, we first need to put it in some sort of order. A sense of direction is essential to the development of intelligence. Does this mean our world of automated travel and route-dictating apps is making us stupid? Michael Bond investigates in Wayfinding. * New Scientist *One of the most fascinating books I have read for a long while, not least because of how it opens up so many other subjects. * Scotsman *I hope this book will inspire people to explore and experiment with [their navigational] abilities, for if they do, they will be in for a wonderful surprise. -- Robin Knox-JohnstonAn excellently researched popular science book which explains how people — including experienced travellers — get lost, and why some individuals have superior navigational skills than others. * Spectator *A fascinating excursion into the very nature of exploration. Absorbing stuff. -- Benedict Allen

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Book SynopsisWhen was the last time you spoke to a stranger?In our cities, we barely acknowledge one another on public transport, even as rates of loneliness skyrocket. Online, we carefully curate who we interact with. In our politics, we are increasingly consumed by a fear of people we''ve never met. But what if strangers, long believed to be the cause of many of our problems, were actually the solution?In The Power of Strangers, Joe Keohane discovers the surprising benefits that come from talking to strangers, examining how even passing interactions can enhance empathy, happiness and cognitive development, ease loneliness and isolation, and root us in the world, deepening our sense of belonging. Warm, witty, erudite and profound, this deeply researched book will make you reconsider how you perceive and approach strangers, showing you how talking to strangers isn''t just not a way to live, it''s a way to survive.Trade Review'In a thrilling, immersive journey across time and continents, Keohane upends everything we thought we knew about the people we don't know' -- Will Storr, author of The Science of Storytelling'Keohane draws on an abundance of new research in social psychology which finds that connecting with strangers helps to dispel partisanship and categorical judgments, increase social solidarity and make us more interested in and hopeful about our lives' * Guardian *'There is a hint of Bill Bryson about the author Joe Keohane: he wears his knowledge lightly and his exuberant curiosity leads him to inform his readers of a vast array of random, intriguing facts - so once you start reading you may find that you don't want to stop' * Independent *Joe Keohane has changed my life. The very thought of talking to strangers has always given me mild nausea and stress sweats. But after reading this book, I've been converted. Joe has inspired me to push through the awkwardness and reap the benefits: A more open and curious mind, less loneliness and depression. This book is an important tool in rescuing our tribal, smartphone-obsessed world. If you see me on the street, please say hi so we can discuss it -- AJ Jacobs, author of The Year of Living Biblically'Rare is the book that delivers on the promise of a big answer to an even bigger question, but Joe Keohane's The Power of Strangers does just that. This lively, searching work makes the case that welcoming "others" isn't just the bedrock of civilization, it's the surest path to the best of what life has to offer' -- Ayad Akhtar, author of Homeland Elegies'This is one of those remarkable books you may not realize you're going to love (or need) until you're well into it. Is it a work of psychology, philosophy, anthropology, history, cultural studies, self-help? All of the above! The Power of Strangers is deeply and gamely researched, lucidly and engagingly written (as if by a pal), informative, thought-provoking, playful, useful and possibly life-changing. What a great way to start the post-pandemic' -- Kurt Andersen, author of Evil Geniuses'Reading this book is like taking a college course that becomes a cult favorite because the witty, enthusiastic professor makes the topic seem not only entertaining, but essential. Possibly life-changing ideas supported with extensive sociological research, lively storytelling, and contagious jollity' * Kirkus *'An eye-opening account blending sociology and self-help. After this enlightening and uplifting exploration, readers will undoubtedly view strangers in a different way' * Library Journal *'This perceptive and rather chatty offering considers the sociological research behind why human beings are so averse to making connections with strangers, and why it's so important to do so. Journalist Keohane is a good storyteller and great proponent of engaging with the unknown, extolling the informational, emotional, and psychological benefits of talking to new people. This authoritative, thoroughly entertaining read comes along just at the right time,and will help readers re-engage after their long quarantines' * Booklist *'The lesson (...) is that the easing of restrictions is not just a coveted opportunity to reconnect with those you love and resemble. It also restores a freedom, long taken for granted, even if a little used, to come to know the profoundly different' * Economist *

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Book Synopsis'Highly accessible, content-rich and eminently readable . . . Fascinating and informative . . . popular science at its best.' - The Observer'Subtly radical . . . It presents a revelatory model of consciousness that will be completely new to most readers' - The Guardian 'Best Reads For Summer'Have you ever wondered why you have a brain? Let renowned neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett, bestselling author of How Emotions Are Made, demystify that big grey blob between your ears . . .In seven short chapters (plus a brief history of how brains evolved), this slim, entertaining, and accessible book reveals mind-expanding lessons from the front lines of neuroscience research. You’ll learn where brains came from, how they’re structured (and why it matters), and how yours works in tandem with other brains to create everything you experience. Along the way, you’ll also learn to dismiss popular myths such as the idea of a 'lizard brain' and the alleged battle between thoughts and emotions, or even between nature and nurture, to determine your behaviour.Sure to intrigue casual readers and scientific veterans alike, Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain is full of surprises, humour, and important implications for human nature - a gift of a book about our most complex and crucial organ.Trade ReviewBeautiful writing and sublime insights that will blow your mind like a string of firecrackers. If you want a rundown of the brain and its magic, start here. -- David Eagleman, New York Times bestselling author of IncognitoSeven and a Half Lessons About the Brain reads like a novel – and its main character is all of us. In fresh and lively prose, Barrett provides deep insight into what brains are for, how they operate and are programmed, how they create the 'reality' we experience, and how they ultimately produce our thoughts, feelings, and actions. Read this book! It will make you smarter about yourself, and your species. -- Leonard Mlodinow, New York Times bestselling author of The Drunkard's WalkA smart and delightfully breezy look at the things most of us think we know about the brain, but don't. -- Daniel Gilbert, New York Times bestselling author of Stumbling on Happiness

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Book SynopsisDemonstrates how easily we are bamboozled by statistical tricks, making his points with pithy stories. This book helps you to learn how we got here and why smart organization improves our memories and attention - and makes us more imaginative and clear-sighted.Trade ReviewThought-provoking and practical... Good advice based on sound neuroscientific principles * Sunday Times *Sensible, practical advice ... a comprehensive account of the way we think about organizing everything from our possessions to our friends * Financial Times *[An] impressively wide-ranging and thoughtful work...The Organized Mind is an organized book, but it also rewards dipping in at any point, for there are fascinating facts and examples throughout * Wall Street Journal *Dan Levitin has more insights per page than any other neuroscientist I know. The Organized Mind is smart, important, and as always, exquisitely written * Daniel Gilbert, author of 'Stumbling on Happiness' *Deservedly a bestseller... Levitin demonstrates how easily we are bamboozled by statistical tricks in medicine, finance and safety, making his points with pithy stories * Independent *From how not to lose your keys to how to decide when the risks of surgery are worth it, Levitin focuses on smart ways to process the constant flow of information the brain must deal with * Washington Post *A deep perspective on the ways the human mind works * Stanley Prusiner, M.D. Nobel Laureate, director of the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California, San Francisco *Levitin is about as knowledgeable a guide to neuroscience as one might hope for * New York Times Book Review *Dan Levitin has more insights per page than any other neuroscientist I know. The Organized Mind is smart, important, and as always, exquisitely written. -- Daniel Gilbert, author of 'Stumbling on Happiness'The Organized Mind is the perfect antidote to the effects of information overload. Loved it. -- Scott Turow, New York Times bestselling author of 'Identical' and 'Innocent'Already deservedly a bestseller... The Organized Mind is from the school of Daniel Kahneman but it earns its keep. Levitin demonstrates how easily we are bamboozled by statistical tricks in medicine, finance and safety, making his points with pithy stories. * Independent *

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Book SynopsisA TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2021 ''Punchy, funny and invigorating ... Pinker is the high priest of rationalism'' Sunday Times ''If you''ve ever considered taking drugs to make yourself smarter, read Rationality instead. It''s cheaper, more entertaining, and more effective'' Jonathan Haidt, author of The Righteous Mind In the twenty-first century, humanity is reaching new heights of scientific understanding - and at the same time appears to be losing its mind. How can a species that discovered vaccines for Covid-19 in less than a year produce so much fake news, quack cures and conspiracy theorizing? In Rationality, Pinker rejects the cynical cliché that humans are simply an irrational species - cavemen out of time fatally cursed with biases, fallacies and illusions. After all, we discovered the laws of nature, lengthened and enriched our lives and set the benchmarks for rationality itself. Instead, he explains, we think in ways that suit the low-tech contexts in which we spend most of our lives, but fail to take advantage of the powerful tools of reasoning we have built up over millennia: logic, critical thinking, probability, causal inference, and decision-making under uncertainty. These tools are not a standard part of our educational curricula, and have never been presented clearly and entertainingly in a single book - until now. Rationality matters. It leads to better choices in our lives and in the public sphere, and is the ultimate driver of social justice and moral progress. Brimming with insight and humour, Rationality will enlighten, inspire and empower. ''A terrific book, much-needed for our time'' Peter SingerTrade ReviewSteven Pinker is the high priest of rationalism ... [This book] is an impassioned and zippy introduction to the tools of rational thought ... Pinker wants probability theory and psychological biases to be taught in schools and universities. Punchy, funny and invigorating, this could be the textbook. -- James McConnachie * Sunday Times *Steven Pinker is among the best science writers in history, and with Rationality he applies his talents to one of the most important and misunderstood human abilities - tracking reality with a brain that was designed to do so under some circumstances but not others. If you've ever considered taking drugs to make yourself smarter, read Rationality instead. It's cheaper, more entertaining, and more effective. -- Jonathan Haidt, NYU-Stern School of Business and author of The Righteous MindThe Enlightenment torchbearer is eloquent in his defence of clear thinking ... [reason] is a tool that human beings have to learn to use with care, something this book will help any reader to do. -- Julian Baggini * Financial Times *Rationality ­- like all of Pinker's work - [is] a paen to human potential... what Pinker really trades in are profoundly refreshing, energising sets of explanations for why we do and think the way we do ... harnessing reason is not just useful in all kinds of ways both personal and universal, but a wondrous property of being human. -- Zoe Strimpel * Daily Telegraph *Almost every sentence in Rationality is crisp and intelligible, which is quite a feat, given that explaining logic to humans is like teaching them Sanskrit. Pinker suggests various ways to run our collective affairs more rationally. -- Simon Kuper * New Statesman *A reader-friendly primer in better thinking through the cultivation of that rarest of rarities: a sound argument. * Kirkus *Rationality is a terrific book, much-needed for our time. In addition to drawing together the tools for overcoming obstacles to rational thinking, Pinker breaks new ground with the evidence he provides linking rationality and moral progress. -- Peter Singer

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Book SynopsisA revolutionary new understanding of the human brain and its changeable nature. The brain is a dynamic, electric, living forest. It is not rigidly fixed but instead constantly modifies its patterns - adjusting to remember, adapting to new conditions, building expertise. Your neural networks are not hardwired but livewired, reconfiguring their circuitry every moment of your life. Covering decades of research - from synaesthesia to dreaming to the creation of new senses - and groundbreaking discoveries from Eagleman's own laboratory, Livewired surfs the leading edge of science to explore the most advanced technology ever discovered.Trade ReviewVivid . . . Since the passing of Isaac Asimov, we haven't had a working scientist like Mr Eagleman, who engages his ideas in such a variety of modes. Livewired reads wonderfully like what a book would be if it were written by Oliver Sacks and William Gibson, sitting on Carl Sagan's front lawn * * Wall Street Journal * *Chockfull of mind-bending ideas and dazzling insights. Eagleman's infectious enthusiasm, his use of fascinating anecdotes and his clear, effortless prose render the secrets of the brain's adaptability into a truly compelling page-turner. Livewired is a fun and whirlwind exploration of the most complex thing in the universe -- KHALED HOSSEINIAn altogether fascinating tour of the astonishing plasticity and interconnectedness inside the cranial cradle of all of our experience of reality, animated by Eagleman's erudite enthusiasm for his subject, aglow with the ecstasy of sense-making that comes when the seemingly unconnected snaps into a consummate totality of understanding -- MARIA POPOVA * * Brain Pickings * *An intellectually exhilarating look at neuroplasticity . . . Eagleman's skill as teacher, bold vision, and command of current research will make this superb work a curious reader's delight * * Publishers Weekly (starred review) * *Gets the science right and makes it accessible . . . completely upending our basic sense of what the brain is in the process . . . Exciting * * Harvard Business Review * *Eagleman brings the subject to life in a way I haven't seen other writers achieve before * * New Scientist * *David's a brilliant writer and thinker, and he knows more about how we tick and why we tick than anyone I know -- NEIL GAIMANLivewired is terrific. If you have a mind, David Eagleman will boggle it for you -- HUGH LAURIEMasterful . . . Outstanding popular science * * Kirkus Reviews (starred review) * *Praise for David Eagleman: The unaccountable, jaw-dropping quality of genius * * Observer * *

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Book SynopsisA groundbreaking synthesis that promises to shift our understanding of the mind-brain connection and its relationship with our bodies. We understand the workings of the human body as a series of interdependent physiological relationships: muscle interacts with bone as the heart responds to hormones secreted by the brain, all the way down to the inner workings of every cell. To make an organism function, no one component can work alone. In light of this, why is it that the accepted understanding that the physical phenomenon of the mind is attributed only to the brain? In The Embodied Mind, internationally renowned psychiatrist Dr. Thomas R. Verny sets out to redefine our concept of the mind and consciousness. He brilliantly compiles new research that points to the mind’s ties to every part of the body.The Embodied Mind collects disparate findings in physiology, genetics, and quantum physics in order to illustrate the mounting evidence that somatic cells, not just neural cells, store memory, inform genetic coding, and adapt to environmental changes—all behaviours that contribute to the mind and consciousness. Cellular memory, Verny shows, is not just an abstraction, but a well-documented scientific fact that will shift our understanding of memory. Verny describes single-celled organisms with no brains demonstrating memory, and points to the remarkable case of a French man who, despite having a brain just a fraction of the typical size, leads a normal life with a family and a job. The Embodied Mind shows how intelligence and consciousness—traits traditionally attributed to the brain alone—also permeate our entire being. Bodily cells and tissues use the same molecular mechanisms for memory as our brain, making our mind more fluid and adaptable than we could have ever imaged.Trade Review"In The Embodied Mind, Dr. Thomas Verny presents a comprehensive exploration of the intricate relationship between the brain, our bodily functions, and the ways our bodies respond to cerebral directives. Dr. Verny’s insightful understanding of human memory’s nature is impressive, and his ability to explain complex ideas lucidly is commendable. “The Embodied Mind” is a compelling, powerfully engaging read. However, this book isn’t just a testament to Dr. Verny’s expertise—it is a riveting journey into the mysteries of our bodies and minds." -- Literary Titan"In The Embodied Mind, Dr. Thomas Verny presents a comprehensive exploration of the intricate relationship between the brain, our bodily functions, and the ways our bodies respond to cerebral directives. Dr. Verny’s insightful understanding of human memory’s nature is impressive, and his ability to explain complex ideas lucidly is commendable. “The Embodied Mind” is a compelling, powerfully engaging read. However, this book isn’t just a testament to Dr. Verny’s expertise—it is a riveting journey into the mysteries of our bodies and minds." -- Literary Titan"In this brilliant and ground-breaking new book, Verny draws on scientific findings in physiology, genetics and quantum physics to articulate a new view of the mind as fundamentally embodied rather than ‘enskulled’ within the brain, which has been the predominant model in our patriarchal and hierarchical culture. This radical book deserves to be widely read and seriously considered by the scientific community." * David Lorimer, Editor, Paradigm Explorer and Chair of The Galileo Commission *“The human mind is broader than the brain, bigger even than the body. In this fascinating book, our guide takes us on a journey into the fully embodied nature of mental life, reviewing the cutting-edge science revealing how the body responds to and encodes experience into its structure and function. Filled with exciting summaries of the empirical support for the important view that our feelings, thoughts, and memories are shaped by physiological functions beyond those of our head-encased brain, this book invites us to 'think outside the box' and consider the body more than a transport vehicle for who we are, but rather one part of a much larger story than previously believed by contemporary scientific views of mind and self.” -- Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. NEW YORK TIMES Bestselling Author of INTRACONNECTED; MIND; MINDSIGHT, and AWARE, Executive Director of the Mindsight Institute"Dr. Thomas Verny's The Embodied Mind is a fascinating, paradigm-shifting, mind-blowing exploration of human consciousness. Dr. Verny takes the reader on a thrilling expedition, surveying the latest research into epigenetics, the human brain, personality changes following heart transplantation, the microbiome, and so much more. The Embodied Mind demonstrates that the mind is not constrained to the brain, but rather is distributed throughout the human body. Anyone with an interest in the mind-body connection, consciousness, or the neurosciences will find The Embodied Mind a joyride that you won't want to end!" -- Mitchell Liester, M.D., Assistant Clinical Professor and Psychiatric Liaison, University of Colorado School of Medicine“A wonderful book. Truly inspiring, and I am impressed by Dr. Verny’s very thorough literature research. He has conquered a complex topic, and reading The Embodied Mind is literally a mind-changing experience. Dr. Verny has a unique talent to inspire new ideas and challenge scientific orthodoxy. I heartily recommend The Embodied Mind to both scientists and lay readers.” -- Dr. Gerlinde A.S. Metz, PhD, Board of Governors Research Chair, Canadian Centre for Behavioral Neuroscience"The Embodied Mind by Thomas Verney is a profoundly important synthesis revealing how cells utilize consciousness to not only manifest their life functions, but as importantly, to create a distributed nervous system that coordinates and supports life-sustaining behavior in multicellular communities, such as those comprising the human body. Verney’s insights on collective cellular consciousness and the role of epigenetics challenges the prevailing concept of reductionism and emphasizes the need for a more holistic, systemic approach in understanding human biology. I highly recommend The Embodied Mind as a compendium of knowledge that offers readers an opportunity to move beyond misperceived limitations in an effort to promote planetary health and harmony." -- Bruce H. Lipton, Ph.D., author of bestselling books, The Biology of Belief, Spontaneous Evolution (with Steve Bhaerman) and The Honeymoon Effect"Dr. Thomas Verney is a genius scientist who courageously challenges the limitation of our psyche and consciousness. He is a visionary giving us a direction for our bright future answering R.D. Laing's question from "The Facts of Life" with his unprecedented research. This book is an absolute must-read, and as an obstetrician and gynecologist I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to reclaim sovereignty over our lives!" -- Dr. Akira Ikegawa, director of Ikegawa Clinic and representative director for the Prenatal Memory Education Association“Even though I am not a native speaker, it is easy even for me to understand - I love reading it.” -- Michiko Hayashi * Global Director of the Emoto Peace Project *This is a superbly radical book, deeply researched and exquisitely clearly written. Even more so The Embodied Mind stands as a guideposted pilgrimage through nearly five decades' experience, introspection and explorations as a practicing psychiatrist and researcher whose best-selling The Secret Life of the Unborn Child, first published in 1981, still resonates today. The Embodied Mind is a terrific read, not least because Verny’s profound curiosity regarding the nature of human memory dovetails with the notion he rigorously advances: our bodies and mind, our emotions and our ruminations, our rational thought and culturally-endowed beliefs—all are of a piece, a complex of networked information, subject to free will and the environments we occupy, from a genetic fragment inside the individual cell’s DNA all the way to the most abstruse thinking humans can attain. We are, in stunningly elegant fashion, Verny maintains, not the result of predetermination but rather of a kind of genetic kaleidoscope, a kaleidoscope of genetic interplays subject to a degree of voluntariness and emotional influence most readers will find remarkable. It’s early days yet but the outlines of a very different view of the human animal as a feeling creature who thinks and whose thoughts and emotions may well govern the threads of genetic expression is emerging. The Embodied Mind is a compelling journey into who we think we are (we aren’t); its destination is nothing less than who we might become. -- Brendan Howley * investigative reporter, novelist and screenwriter *

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Book SynopsisWhy are some people smarter than others? This volume presents scientific research about the fundamental human attribute of intelligence. Written by two internationally recognised experts in straightforward language, the chapters address mental processes, brain imaging, genetics, aging, evidence-based prospects for enhancing intelligence and more.Trade Review'A riveting survey of modern research to unlock the nature and biological foundations of human intelligence by pioneers in the field.' Aron K. Barbey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA'The Science of Human Intelligence by Richard J. Haier and Roberto Colom is probably the best book about human intelligence ever written. It comes as the second edition of Human Intelligence, written by Earl Hunt 12 years ago. Hunt's book was already a great text, which influenced research and teaching in the field considerably. This edition is much more than Hunt's book. It covers virtually everything we know about human intelligence: it provides an accurate and up-to-date picture of research findings and ideas, including the history, and the current cognitive and psychometric models, of intelligence, and summarizes and evaluates research on the brain, and the genetic, cultural, and environmental bases of intelligence. It is strongly suggested to anyone who wants to know how the human mind works and why humans differ on many of its functions.' Andreas Demetriou, University of Cyprus'Human intelligence is the major adaptive mechanism for humans. If humans and this planet are to survive, it will be important that we understand and optimize our intellectual capabilities. This book presents our current best understanding of human intelligence and how it should be studied.' Douglas K. Detterman, Psychologist, USA'To update Hunt's book must have been a challenging job. Roberto and Richard did so dexterously by inserting new and solid information. The result is a delightful book full of important information for those who want to learn from the best researchers in human intelligence.' Carmen Flores-Mendoza, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil'Perennially, there have been too few higher-level textbooks devoted to human intelligence differences. This engagingly voiced book is commendable as clear, current, comprehensive, and cautious.' Ian Deary, University of Edinburgh, UK'An excellent textbook that will leave readers with an informed and nuanced grasp of core and emerging findings in intelligence research. Drs. Haier and Colom succeed in presenting complex topics accessibly, and in modeling the commitment to scientific-mindedness and respectful discussion that is critical to progress in understanding human intelligence.' Matthew Euler, University of Utah, USA'The Science of Human Intelligence is a superb book. It provides an authoritative review of what is known about human intelligence, from its measurement to underlying brain systems to real-world consequences. The approach is balanced and up to date and does not shy away from controversial topics. This is a highly recommended must-read for anyone interested in the facts about human intelligence, and is appropriate for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as professionals who work in related areas, and the educated public.' David Geary, University of Missouri, USA'The Science of Human Intelligence is a great book. It provides a wealth of up-to-date scientific information and a comprehensive, thoughtful, and balanced evaluation of what is known, what is not known, and what still needs to be learned about human intelligence. It also provides much food for thought for those who are willing to learn from open discussions and even from constructive confrontation of competing ideas. It will answer many questions that readers might have about intelligence. More importantly, it will help them to ask new questions that they have not yet thought of.' Yulia Kovas, Goldsmiths, University of London, UK'A towering accomplishment! Human behavior can be better understood when variation in intelligence is considered. Engagingly written and packed with constructive insights, this book should be considered a must-read for advanced undergraduates and all persons interested in how post-industrial societies are structured. I expect many of its older, open-minded readers will feel educationally cheated if unexposed to this vibrant scientific arena earlier in their lives. Throughout, the authors demonstrate how many current explanations of human behavior that neglect the vast range of individual differences in cognitive functioning are untenable. If such problems as climate change, cyber-insecurity, educational-occupational disparities, pandemics, and even finding a fulfilling life are to be addressed realistically and humanely, individual differences in cognitive functioning must be considered. This book is the field as it now stands.' David Lubinski, Vanderbilt University, USA'With their 75 years of combined research experience in the field of intelligence, no other pair of authors could have written such an authoritative and comprehensive book. It lucidly covers the theories, methods, and results of intelligence research, from the environment and training to genes and the brain throughout the life course. Clear and engaging, the book doesn't shy away from controversial issues. Highly recommended.' Robert Plomin, King's College London, UK'This book critically analyzes research on human intelligence, distinguishing between science and politics. The authors admit that much still remains to be discovered and therefore address all those aspects easily susceptible to manipulation in a balanced way. This is an important merit of this book.' Aristide Saggino, University of Chieti-Pescara, ItalyTable of ContentsList of figures; List of tables; List of boxes; Preface; Acknowledgements; 1. A brief voyage to the past; 2. Basic concepts; 3. Psychometric models of intelligence; 4. Cognitive models of intelligence and information processing; 5. Intelligence and the brain; 6. The genetic basis of intelligence; 7. Experience and intelligence; 8. Intelligence and everyday life; 9. Introduction to the scientific study of population differences; 10. Sex differences and intelligence; 11. Intelligence and aging; 12. Intelligence in the world; 13. Enhancing intelligence; 14. A final word; References; Index.

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Book SynopsisFor many of us life has stopped making sense. Super-efficient routines that once served us well now stress us out and a ''toughing it out'' mindset is only compounding the problem.In Better in Every Sense, neuroscientist Norman Farb and clinical psychologist Zindel Segal reveal how the new science of sensation provides the key to doing things differently. By tuning into new and everyday sensations - from the feeling of our feet on a crowded street to the sound of birdsong in the park - we can engage our sensory network and boost our resilience, well-being, health and creativity.Grounded in decades of scientific research and filled with simple exercises and practical mental techniques for mastering the art of ''sense foraging'', Better in Every Sense explores the power of sensory experience to liberate us from our negative thinking patterns and help us successfully handle all of life''s challenges.A brilliant, user-friendly, and easy-to-implemTrade ReviewA brilliant, user-friendly, and easy-to-implement framework explaining why intentionally tuning in to our senses and learning how to trust them and expand their repertoire in outside-the-box ways-what the authors call 'sense foraging'-is profoundly liberative and healing, revolutionary, and yet totally commonsensical. -- Jon Kabat-ZinnWhen you are feeling stressed or stuck, how do you relate to your life? In Better in Every Sense the authors take us through the science of tools to get out of the 'house of habit' and offer ways to re-engage with your life. A wonderful new book by Norman Farb and Zindel Segal. Fascinating, thought-provoking, and so useful in these trying times. -- Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness and Real LifeThese two highly trained and highly skilled professionals have got the chops - and the goods - to help you genuinely upgrade your life! -- Dan Harris, author of 10% Happier

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Book SynopsisReveals the mind boggling neuroscience connecting brain, body, mind, and society, by examining a range of brain disorders, in the tradition of Oliver Sacks.

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Book SynopsisA NEW SCIENTIST BOOK OF THE YEAROur lives are ruled by one particular group of chemicals. These are the hormones and neurotransmitters that regulate and drive our brains. Overloaded looks at the roles these chemicals play in all aspects of our life experiences, from how we make decisions, who we love and what we remember to basic survival drives such as hunger, fear and sleep. Author Ginny Smith explores what these tiny molecules do, meeting scientists at the cutting-edge of brain chemistry research who are uncovering unexpected connections between these crucial chemicals. What roles do cortisol and adrenaline play in memory formation? What does dopamine do? And how do hormones affect the trajectory of our romantic relationships? In this eye-opening exploration of the remarkable world of neurotransmitters, Overloaded unveils the chemicals inside each of us that touch every facet of our lives.Trade ReviewGinny Smith brings clarity with aplomb, revealing the chemistry behind how we sleep, what we fear, who we love and even what we remember. * New Scientist *This mind-bending, eye-opening book looks at the role played by hormones and neurotransmitters in every aspect of our lives, from what we remember, how we make decisions and who we love to basic survival drives such as hunger, fear and sleep. * Your Healthy Living *A mind-blowing exploration into how brain chemical affect every area of your life. * Women's Health *There's so much more to the way our brains work than we can be aware of on a day-to-day basis, and it's fascinating to discover more about it ... the writing is engaging, so you don't need a science degree to understand it. * Top Santé *A delightfully fascinating and useful guide suitable for anyone who has been wondering what their brain is up to. * Robin Ince *Overloaded explains the breathtaking complexity and versatility of the chemicals that make us what we are, in a warm, engaging, and informative way. An impressive feat indeed. * Dean Burnett, neuroscientist and author of The Happy Brain *Table of Contents1: The Chemical Brain 2: Thanks for the Memories 3: Getting Motivated 4: Mood Swings and Scary Things 5: Sleep, the Brain's Greatest Mystery? 6: Food for Thought 7: Logic, Emotion or Chemicals? 8: You've Got the Love 9: A Pain in the Brain Conclusion Glossary Diagram of the brain Acknowledgements Index

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Book SynopsisAge-proof Your Brain', by multi-million copy bestselling author Tony Buzan, offers revolutionary new techniques to help you develop and maintain the agility of your mind. Packed with quick exercises, brain tools and fascinating facts, you can start to think quicker and remember things more easily in as little as 7 days.Bestselling author Tony Buzan is back with a brilliant new book that offers simple and effective techniques to help you boost your memory and maximize your brain power in as little as a week. Full of fun and practical exercises, information bites and expert advice on nutrition and supplements, this book will change the way you think, forever!Improve memory and concentrationRemember facts and figures with easeUnderstand concepts and think laterallyUnlock the imaginationAchieve more in less timeTrade ReviewABOUT TONY BUZAN'One of the world's leading thinkers…his brain-storming techniques have boosted the confidence and ability of his followers around the world.' DAILY MAIL 'Tony Buzan is Mr Memory…endorsed by government ministers, Mensa brainiacs and MDs alike.' METRO 'The whole world should Mind Map.' THE EXPRESS 'The biggest name in memory.' THE NEW YORKER 'Tony Buzan will do for the brain what Stephen Hawking did for the universe.' THE TIMES

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Book SynopsisWhat makes an engaging presentation or a useful meeting? How can companies motivate and inspire people to do their best at work? Who are the most effective leaders? Bestselling author and scientist Dr John Medina uses peer-reviewed research to answer the most important questions about the workplace today, providing answers that will help you get ahead. The author of international bestseller Brain Rules, Medina here turns his expertise to the professional world, guiding the reader through what brain science and evolutionary biology have to say on topics ranging from office space and work—life balance to power dynamics and work interactions. He examines why taking breaks in nature during the workday improves productivity; how planning a meeting beforehand makes it more effective; why open plan isn’t a good office plan; how a more diverse team is a better team; why allowing for failure is vital to a company’s success; and much more. Breaking down the science to practical applications that every reader can understand and benefit from, Brain Rules for Work is the essential guide to modern office life.

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Book SynopsisFrom the world''s foremost neuroscientist of romantic love comes a personal story of connection and heartbreak that brings new understanding to an old truth: it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.At thirty-seven, Dr. Stephanie Cacioppo was content to be single. She was fulfilled by her work on the neuroscience of romantic love; how finding and growing with a partner literally reshapes our brains. That was, until she met the foremost neuroscientist of loneliness. A whirlwind romance led to marriage, to sharing an office at the University of Chicago. After seven years of being inseparable at work and home, she lost her beloved husband following a devastating battle with cancer.In Wired for Love, Dr. Stephanie Cacioppo tells not just a science story, but also a love story. She shares revelatory insights into how we fall in love, and why; what makes love last; and how we process love lost - all grounded in cutting-edge fTrade Review'This meditation on love is deep in every sense: in scientific richness, in human insight, and in moving personal involvement' Steven Pinker, author of How the Mind Works'When John and Steph met it was electric, consuming, forever. One might even say 'wacky' from the start. But then their love grew to be inseparable, collaborative, joyous and infinitely inventive. And while their scholarship and devotion to science hit new levels, it was their bond in love that was a joy to know. This book captures that joy' Michael Gazzaniga, author of The Consciousness Instinct'Anyone looking for love would be well advised to read her expert tips on how to spark romance and make it last. Don't offer anyone your heart. Offer them your brain and enjoy the fireworks' - Daily Mail'Cacioppo's writing becomes more intimate as her life story stitches closer to her research. Her conclusion is enchanting and uplifting ... A beautiful testament to romantic love, scientific passion and the endless possibility of connection' Kirkus'Filled with a little something for everyone, Wired for Love is a unique take on a memoir that will take you on a journey of grief and healing with a reminder to keep your heart open to all the beauty and pain that life might bring' Mindful'Cacioppo blends memoir and science in her debut, an enlightening testament to love's ability to enhance one's life ... Readers will be both fascinated and moved' Publishers Weekly'...an engaging guide through the scientific portions of the book, and her own experiences of connection and loss enrich the narrative. Together, these intertwined strands of science and personal narrative make for a sprightly, illuminating book' BookPage

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Using an expository style, interspersed with first-person accounts of his own research, Harris provides an authoritative synopsis of developmental neuroscience."---R. Douglas Fields, Science"[Zero to Birth] really is a masterpiece in terms of how much information is packed into this average sized book."---Nicole Barbaro, Bookmarked Reads"The story of how this development takes place is filled with as much drama as any Shakespearian plot. There are accounts of self-love and selfless cooperation, suicide and cannibalism, rivalry and survival of the fittest. All on the cellular level. And, fortunately for readers who are not experts in the field, the style makes the story comprehensible and engaging."---Gunnel Minett, Breathwork Science"Highly illuminating."---Andrew Robinson, Nature

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Book SynopsisA deeply researched and highly original investigation into depression which argues the case for embracing both art and science in our understanding and treatment of the conditionTrade ReviewOliver Kamm's urbanity, erudition and compassion are raised to the power of two in Mending the Mind. He put them to work in crafting this gorgeous and urgent book, and on every page they remind us of his moral that enviable gifts are no protection against the affliction of depression -- STEVEN PINKER, Johnstone Professor of Psychology, Harvard University, and author of HOW THE MIND WORKSWith startling openness and honesty, but without angling for sympathy, Kamm describes his symptoms . . . Kamm's overall message is that despite the utter grimness of those symptoms, sufferers should remain optimistic . . . Mending the Mind reminds us that, despite our hazy understanding of depression, and despite the true horror of the illness, some hope for recovery remains -- Stuart Ritchie * THE TIMES *A tour de force that is not just personal, but looks at depression through science, art, literature and history. The combination makes it an important, affecting and effective book -- ALASTAIR CAMPBELLThe combination of Kamm's up close and personal and investigative approaches together make this both useful and insightful. It's also extremely intelligent, compassionate and well-written -- Katie Law * EVENING STANDARD *There are lots of books on depression, but not many combine both an authentic and moving personal story with rigorous research and analysis. Kamm tackles the big questions on depression, and his answers are clear, unsentimental and compelling -- PROFESSOR SIR SIMON WESSELY, Regius Chair of Psychiatry, King's College London and Past President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Royal Society of MedicineUplifting . . . easy-to-read. The book covers all aspects of the illness, such as what causes it, medical treatment, psychological treatment, living with it and, finally, the end of it * THE IRISH TIMES *Mending the Mind elegantly combines a powerful personal story of experiencing and recovering from severe depressive illness with a wide-ranging overview of what depression means to artists and scientists, poets and practitioners. Oliver Kamm has succeeded in putting his lived experience here and now at the heart of an inclusive, broad-minded account of how depression has been understood and misunderstood, diagnosed and treated, over hundreds of years -- PROFESSOR EDWARD BULLMORE, Cambridge University, author of THE INFLAMED MINDThis is a deeply personal and important book. It is painful but ultimately exhilarating to read. As Oliver Kamm notes, depression may be common but it is still not widely understood. At a time when isolation risks a heavy psychological toll, it deserves to be read more than ever -- ANDREW BAILEY, Governor of the Bank of EnglandOliver Kamm has the rare ability to combine emotional honesty with intellectual rigour. The result is a book that simultaneously breaks your heart and educates you as it brings light to one of the darkest corners of the human condition -- NICK COHEN, columnist for the ObserverMending the Mind is a brave and searingly honest personal account of depression that offers comfort and hope to those who have been afflicted by mental illness and valuable insight to those who have not. Kamm's book is all the more vital because of the public health crisis we find ourselves in, and the toll it may take on our nation's mental health -- BETH RIGBY, Political Editor, Sky News

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Book Synopsis''This book can catapult you into living fully the life that is yours to live while you have the chance'' Jon Kabat-Zinn''A must-read for our distracted times'' Dan Goleman''A must-have guide to experiencing every moment of our lives'' Goldie Hawn''A treasure trove of insights and exercises to enrich our lives'' Dan SiegelStop for a moment. Are you here right now?Is your focus on the words in front of you? Or is it roaming elsewhere, to the past or future, to a worry, to your to-do list, or to your phone?The good news: There''s nothing wrong with you - your brain isn''t broken. The human brain was built to be distractible.The even better news: You can train your brain to pay attention more effectively.Acclaimed neuroscientist Dr Amishi Jha has dedicated her life''s work to understanding the science of attention at every level - from brain imaging studies in the lab to field testing soldiers, firefighters and athletes. Her mission has been to scientifically determine how we can harness the full power of our attention to better meet all that life demands. In Peak Mind, Dr Jha expertly guides readers through fascinating research, debunking common assumptions about focus and attention, and offers remarkably easy-to-adapt flexible twelve minute-a-day exercises to lift the mental fog, declutter the mind, and strengthen focus so that you can experience more of your life.Trade ReviewProven practices to take control of our focus and become our best selves. A must read for our distracted times * Daniel Goleman, author of #1 NYTimes Bestseller Emotional Intelligence *Thriving starts with our attention and what we do with it. In Peak Mind, Amishi Jha combines the science of attention with compelling stories from those in high stakes professions to show us all how to be more present in our lives so that we can unlock our full potential * Arianna Huffington, author of #1 New York Times bestseller Thrive *Dr. Jha brilliantly blends cutting-edge science, compelling stories, and strong practical instructions--the perfect antidote for our distracted over-busy times * Jack Kornfield, bestselling author of The Wise Heart *For a while now I've thought of experiences we long for, like love and connection, as emergent properties of how we pay attention. Attention is the key factor in moving beyond just living mechanically into a life of clarity and joy. Dr. Jha brilliantly shows us how that can be so, offering a clear and useful path to paying attention differently * Sharon Salzberg, author of New York Times Bestseller, Real Happiness *Peak Mind delivers crucial insights about the human mind along with practical, accessible tools to enhance it. With clarity and skill, Amishi Jha brings you into the lab to learn how attention works, why it's essential for well-being, and how it can be trained to reach your greatest potential. Required reading for our modern world! * Wendy Hasenkamp, PhD, Science Director, Mind & Life Institute *In Peak Mind, Amishi Jha offers a brilliant guide for training our attention with mindful awareness and maximizing our human potential. You will learn the science behind mindfulness, and well-researched strategies that promote resilience against stress, and increased mental focus, creativity, clarity and strength. The true gift is the capacity to be fully here-present and engaged in your relationships and your life * Tara Brach, author of Radical Acceptance *How easy it is to lose your mind just in those critical moments when you need it most. Here is a friendly and compelling way to not only get it back but to optimize it for life-your own and those with whom you share this world. Suffused with Amishi's rare talent for making rigorous science commonsensical, her exquisite clarity as both a researcher and teacher, her own experiences with life's sometimes rending challenges, and her personal meditation practice, this book can catapult you into living fully the life that is yours to live while you have the chance * Jon Kabat-Zinn, Founder of MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction), author of Full Catastrophe Living and Mindfulness for All *Peak Mind is a must-have guide to experiencing every moment of our lives. Equipping us with easy-to-follow exercises based in the latest breakthroughs in neuroscience, Dr. Amishi Jha reveals the unfiltered joy of paying attention * Goldie Hawn *Where our attention goes, neural firing flows, and neural connection grows' is powerfully revealed in the original research and mind-opening ideas and heartfelt stories of this powerful book by one of our world's pioneers in the science of mindfulness. Clear, illuminating, and filled with practices that will strengthen your attention, open your awareness, and cultivate compassionate connections within yourself and in your relationships with others, this is a treasure trove of insights and exercises to enrich our lives! * Daniel J. Siegel, New York Times bestselling author, Executive Director, Mindsight Institute *An inspiring book. Amishi Jha - internationally acclaimed expert on the new science of attention, mindfulness and the brain - shows beyond doubt that mental fitness is as important as physical fitness for human flourishing. This book is for all whose attention is hijacked when they least want it to be - everyone. It becomes urgent for those who have other people's lives in their hands, whether you are a parent or carer, a firefighter or surgeon or in the military. With gentle humour and (often surprising) examples she reveals how and why training in mindful awareness changes the brain's attentional systems, and how the capacity to be attentive is not a "soft skill", but is the strong and precious foundation of everything you want to be and do in your life * Mark Williams, Emeritus Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Oxford, UK *

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Book SynopsisA Sunday Times and Financial Times Book of the YearWhat happens in our brains when we wake up, savour a meal or a glass of wine, walk the dog, stare at a screen, daydream or sleep? World-renowned neuroscientist Susan Greenfield draws on her own pioneering research to illuminate the mystery of consciousness, and how our brains make us who we are. ''Offers tantalising clues to the universe inside our heads'' Rob Kingston, Sunday Times, Science Books of the Year''One of the few brain researchers making a serious effort to investigate the rich continuum of conscious thoughts and feelings that underlie every moment of our waking lives'' Clive Cookson, Financial Times''An illuminating, engrossing journey'' Nature''Her writing is clear, sharp, devoid of difficult jargon and chatty. The brain''s complexity comes across vividly'' Anil Ananthaswamy, New ScientistTrade Review[Greenfield is] often described as the foremost female scientist in Britain, but is one of the best of any gender, anywhere, at getting complicated ideas across * Independent on Sunday *

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Book Synopsis''Pain is bad, right? In this fascinating book, Brock Bastian will convince you otherwise. Drawing on both vivid everyday examples and surprising laboratory findings, he shows how pain, suffering, and struggle give us pleasure, make us kinder, focus our thoughts, and give our life meaning'' Paul Bloom, author of Against EmpathyIn today''s culture, happiness has become the new marker of success, while hardships are viewed as personal weaknesses, or problems to be fixed. We increasingly try to eradicate pain through medication and by insulating ourselves from risk and offence, despite being the safest generation to have ever lived. Yet in his research, renowned social psychologist Brock Bastian has found that suffering and sadness are neither antithetical to happiness nor incidental to it: they are a necessary ingredient for emotional well-being.Drawing on psychology, neuroscience and internationally acclaimed findings from Bastian''s own laTrade ReviewPain is bad, right? In this fascinating book, Brock Bastian will convince you otherwise. Drawing on both vivid everyday examples and surprising laboratory findings, he shows how pain, suffering, and struggle give us pleasure, make us kinder, focus our thoughts, and give our life meaning. Bastian is a brilliant researcher and deep thinker and THE OTHER SIDE OF HAPPINESS is a delight to read -- Paul Bloom, author of AGAINST EMPATHYBrock Bastian skilfully shatters the zeitgeist of positive thinking, showing how struggle and suffering are vital elements of a life well lived -- Adam Grant, author of ORIGINALS and OPTION B with Sheryl SandbergThis is a marvellous, thought-provoking challenge to how we think about and go about the pursuit of happiness. If you're tired of all the simple minded books telling you to just cheer up and be happy, this is the book for you! -- Roy F. Baumeister, author of WILLPOWER: REDISCOVERING THE GREATEST HUMAN STRENGTHExplains why hardship sometimes yields richer lives that are laden with meaning, deep social connections, and unexpected bliss. A beautifully written and important book that should be required reading for anyone who's ever wondered why well-being so often flourishes in unexpected places -- Adam Alter, author of DRUNK TANK PINK

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Book SynopsisThe bestselling author of The Drunkard''s Walk unlocks the secrets of flexible thinkingWhat do Pokémon Go and Mary Shelley''s Frankenstein have in common?Why do some businesses survive, and others fail at the first sign of change?What gives the human brain the edge over computers?The answer: Elastic Thinking. It''s an ability we all possess, and one that we can all learn to hone in order to succeed, at work and in our everyday lives.Here Leonard Mlodinow, whose own flexible thinking has taken him from physics professor to TV scriptwriter and bestselling author, takes us on a revelatory exploration of how elasticity works. He draws on cutting-edge neuroscience to show how, millennia ago, our brains developed an affinity for novelty, idea generation and exploration. He discovers how flexible thinking enabled some of the greatest artists, writers, musicians and innovators to create paradigm shifts. He investigates the organisations that havTrade ReviewElegant and interesting. . . packed with insights, puzzles and philosophical interludes -- Steven Poole * Guardian *Timely and engrossing. . . a fascinating exploration of how the human mind deals with change -- Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of HabitA book of sparkling intelligence, written with humour and grace -- Mark Williams, author of Mindfulness, Emeritus Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of OxfordLeonard Mlodinow never fails to make science both accessible and entertaining -- Stephen HawkingA fascinating, useful look into how the brain works. Perfect for neophiliacs and everyone else who's dealing with a changing world -- Seth Godin, author of TribesLeonard Mlodinow will make you smarter -- Seth MacFarlane, creator of Family GuyIn this wise and persuasive book, Leonard Mlodinow calls for a change in the very way we think. Using a deft mix of science and storytelling, he shows the limits of linear thinking and the promise of 'bottom up' thinking that embraces ambiguity -- Daniel H. Pink, author of WhenA manifesto for intellectual flexibility. . . If we are to thrive in this new world, argues bestselling science writer Leonard Mlodinow, we're going to need less linear, logical, analytic reasoning and more creative "elastic thinking" -- Julian Baggini * Financial Times *'Stretchy' brains are best. . . Mlodinow's core message is well worth hearing -- Hugo Rifkind * The Times *

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Book Synopsis''Both a brilliant scholar and a great writer, Leonard Mlodinow guides us through the fascinating science of what we feel, and why - and what we can do about it. I learned a lot from this wonderful book'' Rick HansonWe''ve been told we need to master our emotions and think rationally to succeed. But cutting-edge science shows that feelings are every bit as important to our success as thinking.You make hundreds of decisions every day, from what to eat for breakfast to how to influence people, and not one of them could be made without the essential component of emotion. It has long been held that thinking and feeling are separate and opposing forces in our behaviour. But as best-selling author Leonard Mlodinow tells us, extraordinary advances in psychology and neuroscience have proven that emotions are as critical to our well-being as thinking.How can you connect better with others? How can you improve your relationship to frustration, fear, and anxiety?Trade ReviewThis exploration of the interplay of emotion and thought is fascinating. I marvel at the skill that enables Mlodinow to crunch so much information in a compelling way. Emotional shows that rather than being counterproductive, emotions enrich our lives and understanding them better equips us to realise "what it means to be humans" * Financial Times *Those interested in understanding how feelings unconsciously steer thought are in for a stimulating read. Mlodinow handles this topic astutely with compelling examples and attention to the latest research, which is quite spectacular. He writes in a brisk, friendly style that easily draws you in and makes you reflect on both the recounted anecdotes and your own way of handling comparable situations -- Frans de Waal * The New York Times *Mlodinow successfully shows how emotions can be assessed, regulated, and controlled, and powerfully concludes that understanding them is a lifelong project that's 'not just a science but an art.' This is a must-read for fans of Daniel Kahneman * Publisher's Weekly *The American physicist and bestselling author Leonard Mlodinow popularises the findings from neuroscience over the past 50 years. . . he shows, through reports of psychologists' experiments and a series of quizzes, that recognising how much we are motivated by emotions allows us to be more thoughtful and present, more rational -- Susie Orbach * Observer *Both a brilliant scholar and a great writer, Leonard Mlodinow guides us through the fascinating science of what we feel, and why - and what we can do about it. I learned a lot from this wonderful book: a masterpiece of clarity, helpfulness, and heart -- Rick Hanson, author of Buddha's BrainMlodinow - a gifted science writer - has produced another gem. Emotional is a captivating narrative that plunges you straight into the heart of a major scientific drama - the more than a century-old battle over the nature of emotions. No matter which side you find yourself on, you will relish this adventure to the front lines of scientific discovery -- Lisa Feldman Barrett, author of Seven and a Half Lessons About the BrainAn absorbing deep dive into the new science of emotions that offers shrewd insights into the relationship between thinking and emotion. Mlodinow brings this important subject to life in a fascinating and informative way -- Susan David, author of Emotional AgilityA captivating exploration of the science of emotions. Beautifully written and full of cutting-edge research, it is a crucial reminder of the power feelings have in our thinking -- Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of HabitRationality, reason and logic have been heralded as the foundation of a clear mind, but Mlodinow, a physicist, argues that taking our feelings into account can help us make better decisions. He offers plenty of real-world examples, including his parents' experiences as Holocaust survivors * New York Times *An illuminating read that deals well with the complexity of emotion, the emerging science behind it and the fascinating workings of the brain itself. It might just help you remain calm and collected, even on a bad day * New Scientist *Leonard Mlodinow offers a crash course in emotions, one that feels less like cramming than like a colorful tour of the behavior of humans-and the rest of the animal kingdom. Most of this smart, trim volume is about the science of emotion rather than how to use it, but he doesn't miss the opportunity to dole out advice and provide opportunities for self-reflection * Wall Street Journal *

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Book SynopsisCognitive neuroscience, once a specialised area of psychology and biology, has enjoyed increased worldwide legitimacy in the last thirty years not only in psychiatry and mental health, but also in such fields as education, economics, marketing, and law. How can this surge in popularity be explained?Trade Review"Cognitive science is becoming 'the barometer of how we conduct our lives.' Gradually, neuronal man would take the place of social man ... Alain Ehrenberg has analyzed this cognitivist revolution from a sociologist's perspective in La Mécanique des passions." France Culture"Pursuing his study of forms of contemporary individualism, in La Mécanique des passions the sociologist Alain Ehrenberg looks at the cognitive neurosciences, which have become the 'barometer' of modernity, to determine what they modify in individual or social behaviors, and what image of the human being they produce." Libération"Ehrenberg further anchors his work on contemporary self-determination and individualism." Les Échos

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Book Synopsis** Published in the U.S. as The Self-Driven Child**A hands-off parenting guide to nurture independent thinking and collaboration for happier, smarter and stress-free kids.''Sometimes the most helpful thing we can do as parents is to parent our children a little less. This humane, thoughtful book turns the latest brain science into valuable practical advice for parents on how to pull back, when to engage and when to let go. Read it. Your children will thank you.'' Paul Tough, New York Times bestselling author of How Children SucceedAs parents we all want the best for our child, but so often we give in to societal pressures which can result in us over-managing every aspect of their lives leaving them overwhelmed, over-scheduled and lacking motivation. This can terrifyingly lead to mental health problems as adolescents and adults. How can we prevent this happening to our child?Over their combined sixty years of pracTrade ReviewSometimes the most helpful thing we can do as parents is to parent our children a little less. This humane, thoughtful book turns the latest brain science into valuable practical advice for parents on how to pull back, when to engage and when to let go. Read it. Your children will thank you. * Paul Tough, New York Times bestselling author of How Children Succeed *This serious and probing look at how to give our children the right kinds of independence shows us how much power we have to ensure they can function optimally. It is a book about how to make our children more meaningfully independent, and to set ourselves free in the process. * Andrew Solomon, author of Far from the Tree *Compelling, revolutionary, and wise, The Thriving Child empowers parents with the courage, the tools, and the mindset to reduce toxic stress, and to foster our child's capacity for resilience, success, and optimal development. Its message-that we should trust kids to have more control over their own lives-is one every parent needs to hear. * Tina Payne Bryson, PhD, co-author of The Whole Brain Child and The Yes Brain *The Thriving Child will guide parents to the sweet spot between helicopter and hands-off parenting. Stixrud and Johnson ground their clear and practical advice in cutting-edge research and years of experience working with young kids and teens. An invaluable resource for the thinking parent * Lisa Damour, PhD, New York Times bestselling author of Untangled *Bill Stixrud, the pioneering neuropsychologist, and Ned Johnson, the test-prep guru, have written a battleplan to attack the anxiety that's devouring kids and decimating their native potential. This extraordinary book shines a light into the darkness of test dread, chronic sleeplessness, 24/7 social-media 'beauty pageants' and the full array of stress-induced forces that undermine children. But Stixrud and Johnson do more than identify the demons -- they slay them. Read this incisive, witty, deeply-researched book and help your child bend toward the sunlight of learning and self-directed joy. A must read. * Ron Suskind, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of Life, Animated *Stixrud and Johnson combine science and compassion to make the case that parental over-control is eroding our kids' confidence, competence and mental health. Accessible, compelling and richly researched, The Thriving Child reveals the clear links between the stressses of competitive schooling and the anxiety and depression that are so widespread in kids today. This urgently-needed book has the potential to revolutionize the way we parent. * Judith Warner, author of A Perfect Madness: Motherhood in the Age of Anxiety *If you still have questions about whether or not excessive pressure and a narrow version of success are truly harming our children, The Thriving Child is an absolute must-read. While most books on the impact of stress on child development offer anecdotes and clinical examples, Stixrud and Johnson make it clear that it is now research that explains why kids don't thrive under our current priorities. A healthy child needs a healthy brain. Not only do they produce the evidence that shows why unremitting achievement pressure is toxic to our children, they also show us what the alternative would look like. It is not an overstatement to say that this is one of the most radical and important books on raising healthy, resilient, purpose-driven kids. * Madeline Levine, PhD., author of The Price of Privilege and Teach Your Children Well *Stixrud and Johnson provide compassionate, well-supported suggestions and strategies for parents to help their kids deal with ever-more-competitive academics and extracurriculars By studying the levels of stress and motivation in children, the authors discovered that 'a low sense of control is enormously stressful and that autonomy is the key to developing motivation.' Stixrud and Johnson theorize that a sense of control is the 'antidote to stress,' touching on common stressors for American kids, such as social media, demanding homework, and lack of sleep . . . The authors make a highly persuasive case for how parents can help their children segue from feeling stressed and powerless to feeling loved, trusted, and supported. * Publisher's Weekly *Stixrud and Johnson provide in-depth information on how to give your child more control without letting them run amok, discuss ways to reduce parents' stress levels, and emphasize the importance of physical exercise and sufficient sleep. . . . Timeless advice for parents. * Kirkus Reviews *If there's one book I'd recommend to parents who are raising children of all ages - this is the book * Ellie Knaus, host of the Atomic Moms podcast *Important and timely. . . An essential book for parents and educators everywhere. * Sir Ken Robinson, New York Times bestselling author of The Element *

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Book Synopsis'Radically new and engaging.' MATTHEW WALKER'Not only will every reader remember better afterward, they'll also never forget this life-changing book.' SIDDHARTHA MUKHERJEE'Ranganath turns much of what we think we know about memory on its head.' DANIEL J.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Hiesinger elegantly moves through a variety of topics, ranging from biological development to AI and ending with a discussion of the advances that deep neural networks have brought to the field of brain-machine interfaces."---Kamila Maria Jóźwik, Science"Hiesinger suggests that instead of looking at the brain from an endpoint perspective, we should study how information encoded in the genome is transformed to become the brain as we grow. . . . The Self-Assembling Brain is organized as a series of seminar presentations interspersed with discussions between a robotics engineer, a neuroscientist, a geneticist, and an AI researcher. The thought-provoking conversations help to understand the views and the holes of each field on topics related to the mind, the brain, intelligence, and AI."---Ben Dickson, TechTalks"For anyone interested in the brain, or AI, or any of the myriad of branches and subbranches of each, I would highly recommend this!"---Jonathan Shock, Mathemafrica

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Using an expository style, interspersed with first-person accounts of his own research, Harris provides an authoritative synopsis of developmental neuroscience."---R. Douglas Fields, Science"[Zero to Birth] really is a masterpiece in terms of how much information is packed into this average sized book."---Nicole Barbaro, Bookmarked Reads"The story of how this development takes place is filled with as much drama as any Shakespearian plot. There are accounts of self-love and selfless cooperation, suicide and cannibalism, rivalry and survival of the fittest. All on the cellular level. And, fortunately for readers who are not experts in the field, the style makes the story comprehensible and engaging."---Gunnel Minett, Breathwork Science"Highly illuminating."---Andrew Robinson, Nature

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"The breadth of research is impressive, as is the direct language used to express the complicated sciencebehind sound itself. . . . Sounds may not leave a fossil record, but Mathevon's research will."---Tina Panik, Library Journal, starred review"Mathevon delivers fascinating insights into animal communication. . . . This will change how readers hear the animals around them." * Publishers Weekly *"There's no one better than Mathevon to tell us about how diverse animals talk with one another and here's what he had to say about his new landmark, fact-based book, which is a lot of fun to read. His enthusiasm is contagious!"---Marc Bekoff, Psychology Today"The language flows easily and important scientific concepts, often complex in nature, are seamlessly woven into an entertaining story."---David Gascoigne, Travels with Birds"A significant contribution to the art of aural animal science."---Eric Brown, News Shopper: Wild Things"This is an excellent book full of fascinating facts, full of detail, but always very readable."---Patricia MacDuff, British Naturalists Association Bulletin"Excellent."---Marc Weidenbaum, The Wire

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Hiesinger elegantly moves through a variety of topics, ranging from biological development to AI and ending with a discussion of the advances that deep neural networks have brought to the field of brain-machine interfaces."---Kamila Maria Jóźwik, Science"Hiesinger suggests that instead of looking at the brain from an endpoint perspective, we should study how information encoded in the genome is transformed to become the brain as we grow. . . . The Self-Assembling Brain is organized as a series of seminar presentations interspersed with discussions between a robotics engineer, a neuroscientist, a geneticist, and an AI researcher. The thought-provoking conversations help to understand the views and the holes of each field on topics related to the mind, the brain, intelligence, and AI."---Ben Dickson, TechTalks"For anyone interested in the brain, or AI, or any of the myriad of branches and subbranches of each, I would highly recommend this!"---Jonathan Shock, Mathemafrica

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Book SynopsisThis Element introduces contemporary theories of mental content. It considers recent developments in the debate, specifically the 'explanatory turn' and its implications for questions about representations in basic cognitive systems and the representational character of current empirical theories of cognition.Table of Contents1. Introduction; 2. Basic concepts and distinctions; 3. Mental content: main questions; 4. Theories of mental content I: naturalizing content; 5. Theories of mental content II: interpretationism and intentional stance theory; 6. Theories of mental content III: the phenomenal intentionality approach; 7. Skepticism about content: anti-representationalist approaches; 8. Recent developments; References.

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Book SynopsisThis fifth edition of a highly cited textbook provides a broad overview of the study of judgments and decisions. It covers normative standards, including logic, probability, and forms of utility theory, and it explains cognitive biases that violate these standards.Trade Review'This is the definitive textbook on decision making, reflecting Baron's unmatched combination of intellectual breadth and precision. Grounded in fundamentals, this book integrates seamlessly across disciplines and incorporates the most important new ideas. It's an ideal introduction for students and a vital reference for seasoned scholars - a remarkable achievement.' Joshua Greene, Harvard University, USA'Jon Baron's fifth edition of Thinking and Deciding provides an update to his excellent and thoughtful integration of the decision making literature, and what has evolved into the field of behavioral economics. Baron is rigorous and insightful. The world would be better off if more people read his comprehensive book.' Max H. Bazerman, Harvard Business School, USA'This clearly written and engaging book comprehensively reviews the major theories and findings in the field of judgment and decision making. It reminds me of all I have forgotten and all I haven't learned. I will study it carefully to learn more about a field I thought I knew well.' Paul Slovic, University of Oregon, USA'Jon Baron has an encyclopedic command of judgment and decision making literature. It is on full display in this remarkably engaging overview of the field.' Barbara Mellers, University of Pennsylvania, USA'This book, by a leading researcher in the field, offers an original perspective on the link between cognition and choice. In a somewhat historical perspective, Baron reviews fundamental issues in research on decision making, showing how old established findings, as well as new ones fit within the same schemes.' Ilana Ritov, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel'For 35 years, Thinking and Deciding has set the intellectual and pedagogical standard for presenting a field that has grown dramatically in importance since the first edition. The new edition maintains these high standards. It is thorough, thoughtful, insightful, clear, and comprehensive. It does not shy away from discussing important issues about which there is disagreement. I cannot imagine a better way to educate students - and their teachers - than to have them read this book.' Barry Schwartz, University of California, Berkeley, USATable of ContentsPreface; Part I. Thinking in General: 1. What is thinking?; 2. The study of thinking; 3. Rationality; 4. Logic; Part II. Probability and Belief: 5. Normative theory of probability; 6. Descriptive theory of probability judgment; 7. Hypothesis testing; 8. Judgment of correlation and contingency; 9. Actively open-minded thinking (AOT); Part III. Decisions and Plans: 10. Choice under uncertainty: normative theory; 11. Choice under uncertainty: descriptive theory; 12. Risk; 13. Choice under certainty; 14. Utility measurement; 15. Decision analysis and values; 16. Quantitative judgment; 17. Moral judgment and choice; 18. Fairness and justice; 19. Social dilemmas: cooperation v. defection; 20. Decisions about the future; Index.

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Book SynopsisDid you know that science has revealed what actions and circumstances make your brain learn more effectively?In this book, a scientist explains in a simple and very entertaining way how your brain learns and what you can do to take advantage of its full potential.Among other things, you will find out that:- Both people who are good at learning and those who are not can improve their performance if they use the right learning strategies: those that align with the way the brain learns best!- Most students do not know these strategies and those who spontaneously develop them gain a huge advantage without even realizing it.- Your brain is much more powerful than you realize in terms of its ability to learn. Every time you learn something, your brain changes its structure!When you learn about how the brain learns, you learn to learn!

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Book SynopsisThis Element surveys research on three central and interrelated issues about the nature of memory and remembering. The first is about the nature of memory as a cognitive faculty, the second issue concerns what memory does, and the third issue is about the nature of what we remember.Table of Contents1. Introduction; 2. What is memory?; 3. What is remembering?; 4. What do we remember?; 5. Final thoughts; References.

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Book SynopsisStarting from the idea that the main hindrance to a great acting performance is self-consciousness on the part of the performer, My Character Wouldn't do That examines the ways in which some of our traditional and contemporary approaches to acting put us into a mind space' that can encourage self-consciousness. Examining evidence from a range of contemporary cognitive sciences, the book approaches acting and actor training in an entirely different way. Based on the latest research into brain activity and human behaviour, the book covers areas that standard acting texts do (character, emotion, memory, imagination, making active choices) but reconceives each of these elements through the lens of that contemporary research. The book is the first to look closely at what contemporary research tells us about: personality/character and how environment shapes us how memory works and how actors can work with (rather than against) their memory in preparing for performanTable of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction Acting Good And Bad What Does a Good Performance Feel Like? An Actor’s Brain Works In 3 Stages Acting Is a Holistic Process The Actor’s Brain Our Specs Battling On More Than One Front Self-Consciousness And Fear Modes Of Thinking The Right Mode at The Right Time Memory How Memory Works Text And Memory Memory And Mood Congruence The Blissful State of Automaticity Working With Memory Character Who Am I Anyway? Predicting Behaviour My Character Wouldn’t Do That Turn Your Prep on Its Head Imagination And Attention The Fragile State of Attention 2 Types of Imagination The Impulse to Speak Mindfulness As a Weapon Emotion Emotion And Feeling The WHOLE Emotional Picture: Primary, Background, And Social Emotion Learning From Sherlock Holmes Performance Anxiety Your Brain Is Not Your Friend The Power of Accepting Yourself Letting The Mental Battle Go Selected Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisYour brain is shrinking. Does it matter?How Much Brain Do We Really Need? challenges us to think differently about the brain. Rather than just concentrating on the many wonderful things it can do, this entertaining insight into the complexities and contradictions of the human brain asks whether in fact we can live satisfactorily without some of it.The bad news is that our brains start to shrink from our mid-thirties. But the good news is that we still seem to generally muddle along and our brain is able to adapt in extraordinary ways when things going wrong.Alexis Willett and Jennifer Barnett shed light on what the human brain can do - in both optimal and suboptimal conditions - and consider what it can manage without. Through fascinating facts and figures, case studies and hypothetical scenarios, expert interviews and scientific principles, they take us on a journey from the ancient mists of time to the far reaches of the future, via different

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Book SynopsisDrawing on current powerful neuroscience, this book equips you with a deep insight into how your interconnected brain, mind and body shapes your capacity for heartfelt connection, emotional regulation and compassion, and the compelling influence this has on your child''s developing mind.We know, based on established brain science, that children develop well in the care of parents who can regulate and express their own emotions effectively, who are present and attentive rather than in ''autopilot'' mode, and who show warmth, empathy and compassion along with the requisite level of authority towards them. But in this day and age of relentless mental overload, busy schedules and constant stimulation, many parents know how difficult it can be to exude the sense of openness, warmth and connection that children need to develop well. The last thing parents need is yet more prescriptive advice about what you should and shouldn''t think, do or say as a parent, so this this bo

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Book SynopsisFrom the world''s foremost neuroscientist of romantic love comes the untold story of what happens in our brains when we are in love.Dr Stephanie Cacioppo shares revelatory insights into how we fall in love, and why; what makes love last; and how we process love lost - all grounded in cutting-edge findings in brain chemistry and behavioural science. You will learn how to make a closer bond in your relationship, how to make sure the spark isn''t lost, how to tell the difference between lust and love, and how to find a path beyond heartbreak or bereavement.Wired for Love is not just a science story, but also a love story. At thirty-seven, Dr. Stephanie Cacioppo was content to be single. She was fulfilled by her work on the neuroscience of romantic love; how finding and growing with a partner literally reshapes our brains. That was, until she met the foremost neuroscientist of loneliness. A whirlwind romance led to marriage, to sharing an office at the UnivTrade Review'This meditation on love is deep in every sense: in scientific richness, in human insight, and in moving personal involvement' Steven Pinker, author of How the Mind Works'When John and Steph met it was electric, consuming, forever. One might even say 'wacky' from the start. But then their love grew to be inseparable, collaborative, joyous and infinitely inventive. And while their scholarship and devotion to science hit new levels, it was their bond in love that was a joy to know. This book captures that joy' Michael Gazzaniga, author of The Consciousness Instinct'Anyone looking for love would be well advised to read her expert tips on how to spark romance and make it last. Don't offer anyone your heart. Offer them your brain and enjoy the fireworks' - Daily Mail'Cacioppo's writing becomes more intimate as her life story stitches closer to her research. Her conclusion is enchanting and uplifting ... A beautiful testament to romantic love, scientific passion and the endless possibility of connection' Kirkus'Filled with a little something for everyone, Wired for Love is a unique take on a memoir that will take you on a journey of grief and healing with a reminder to keep your heart open to all the beauty and pain that life might bring' Mindful'Cacioppo blends memoir and science in her debut, an enlightening testament to love's ability to enhance one's life ... Readers will be both fascinated and moved' Publishers Weekly'...an engaging guide through the scientific portions of the book, and her own experiences of connection and loss enrich the narrative. Together, these intertwined strands of science and personal narrative make for a sprightly, illuminating book' BookPage

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Book SynopsisYour brain is shrinking. Does it matter?Rethinking the Brain challenges us to think differently. Rather than just concentrating on the many wonderful things the brain can do, this entertaining insight into its complexities and contradictions asks whether in fact we can live satisfactorily without some of it.The bad news is that our brains start to shrink from our mid-thirties. But the good news is that we still seem to generally muddle along and our brain is able to adapt in extraordinary ways when things going wrong.Alexis Willett and Jennifer Barnett shed light on what the human brain can do - in both optimal and suboptimal conditions - and consider what it can manage without. Through fascinating facts and figures, case studies and hypothetical scenarios, expert interviews and scientific principles, they take us on a journey from the ancient mists of time to the far reaches of the future, via different species and lands.Is brain traini

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Book SynopsisCongratulations! You''re the proud owner of the most complex information processing device in the known universe. The human brain comes equipped with all sorts of useful design features, but also many bugs and weaknesses. Problem is you don''t get an owner''s manual. You have to just plug and play. As a result, most of us never properly understand how our brains work and what they''re truly capable of. We fail get the best out of them, ignore some of their most useful features and struggle to overcome their design faults. Featuring witty essays, enlightening infographics and fascinating ''try this at home'' experiments, New Scientist take you on a journey through intelligence, memory, creativity, the unconscious and beyond. From the strange ways to distort what we think of as ''reality'' to the brain hacks that can improve memory, The Brain: A User''s Guide will help you understand your brain and show you how to use it to its full potential.

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Book Synopsis''A fantastic compendium of skeptical thinking and the perfect primer for anyone who wants to separate fact from fiction.'' Richard Wiseman, author 59 Seconds''Thorough, informative, and enlightening... If this book does not become required reading for us all, we may well see modern civilization unravel before our eyes.'' Neil deGrasse Tyson, author of Astrophysics for People in a HurryIn this tie-in to their popular ''The Skeptics Guide to the Universe'' podcast, Steven Novella, along with ''Skeptical Rogues'' Bob Novella, Cara Santa Maria, Jay Novella and Evan Bernstein explain the tenets of skeptical thinking and debunk some of the biggest scientific myths, fallacies and conspiracy theories (anti-vaccines, homeopathy, UFO sightings, and many more.) They''ll help us try to make sense of what seems like an increasingly crazy world using powerful tools like science and philosophy. The Skeptics'' Guide to the UniverseTrade ReviewThorough, informative, and enlightening, The Skeptic's Guide to the Universe inoculates you against the frailties and shortcomings of human cognition. If this book does not become required reading for us all, we may well see modern civilization unravel before our eyes. * Neil deGrasse Tyson, author of Astrophysics for People in a Hurry *A fantastic compendium of skeptical thinking and the perfect primer for anyone who wants to separate fact from fiction. * Richard Wiseman, author of 59 Seconds *A terrific book for anyone who wants a better understanding about the world around them and an essential guide to navigating modern life. The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe will help readers recognize pitfalls in reasoning, combat bad arguments and avoid superstitious thinking. * Simon Singh, author of Fermat’s Enigma *In this age of real and fake information, your ability to reason, to think in scientifically skeptical fashion, is the most important skill you can have. Read The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe; get better at reasoning. And if this claim about the importance of reason is wrong, The Skeptics' Guide will help you figure that out, too. * Bill Nye, ‘The Science Guy’ *

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