Phantoms in the Brain: Human Nature and the Architecture of the Mind
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By: V.S. Ramachandran and Sandra Blakeslee
Format: Paperback
From: Fourth Estate
Pub. Date: April 1999
From: Fourth Estate
Pub. Date: April 1999
Product Details:
Catalog: Book
Release Date: 1999-05-06
Media: Paperback
Number Of Pages: 384
Ean: 9781857028959
Isbn: 1857028953
Catalog: Book
Release Date: 1999-05-06
Media: Paperback
Number Of Pages: 384
Ean: 9781857028959
Isbn: 1857028953
ABOUT THE BOOK
EDITORIAL REVIEW
What would you say about a woman who, despite stroke-induced paralysis crippling the entire left side of her body, insists that she is whole and strong--who even sees her left hand reach out to grasp objects? Freud called it "denial"; neurologists call it "anosognosia". However it may be labelled, this phenomenon and others like it allow us peeks into other mental worlds and afford us considerable insight into our own.
The writings of Oliver Sacks and others have shown us that we can learn much about ourselves by looking closely at the deficits shown by people with neurological problems. VS Ramachandran has seen countless patients suffering from anosognosia, phantom limb pain, blindsight and other disorders, and he brings a remarkable mixture of clinical intuition and research savvy to bear on their problems. He is one of the few scientists who are able and willing to explore the personal, subjective ramifications of his work; he rehumanizes an often too-sterile field and captures the spirit of wonder so essential for true discovery. Phantoms in the Brain is equal parts medical mystery, scientific adventure, and philosophical speculation; Ramachandran's writing is smart, caring, and very, very funny.
Whether you're curious about the workings of the brain, interested in alternatives to expensive, high-tech science (much of Ramachandran's research is done with materials found around the home), or simply want a fresh perspective on the nature of human consciousness, you'll find satisfaction withPhantoms in the Brain. --Rob Lightner
The writings of Oliver Sacks and others have shown us that we can learn much about ourselves by looking closely at the deficits shown by people with neurological problems. VS Ramachandran has seen countless patients suffering from anosognosia, phantom limb pain, blindsight and other disorders, and he brings a remarkable mixture of clinical intuition and research savvy to bear on their problems. He is one of the few scientists who are able and willing to explore the personal, subjective ramifications of his work; he rehumanizes an often too-sterile field and captures the spirit of wonder so essential for true discovery. Phantoms in the Brain is equal parts medical mystery, scientific adventure, and philosophical speculation; Ramachandran's writing is smart, caring, and very, very funny.
Whether you're curious about the workings of the brain, interested in alternatives to expensive, high-tech science (much of Ramachandran's research is done with materials found around the home), or simply want a fresh perspective on the nature of human consciousness, you'll find satisfaction withPhantoms in the Brain. --Rob Lightner
USER REVIEWS
"The chapter which attracted me the most was, God and the limbic system. By nature I am a spiritually inclined person, so I could not resist myself in reading the chapter again and again. After reading this book,a desperate urge to feel God exists in me always. Anybody who reads this book will definetly come to a conclusion, that a supreme power exists above everything and man with all his acquired knowledge cannot even move a blade without the help of this power.
N.Parimala Devi(Bangalore, india)
"
~ Written on 2006-09-25
N.Parimala Devi(Bangalore, india)
"
~ Written on 2006-09-25
"A truly interesting book, it reads like a novel with the author telling about all these absolutely extraordinary things which people can experience simply because of some problem in their brain and he then goes on to tell exactly why they happen. I found that after finishing each chapter I just had to tell someone about the case he had been describing, then you can sound like a proper "brain surgeon" and explain to them exactly why the problem occured.
I think this book may be the best way to learn about the brain because the book is just unputdownable but you learn so much."
~ Written on 2005-08-01
I think this book may be the best way to learn about the brain because the book is just unputdownable but you learn so much."
~ Written on 2005-08-01
"sorry oliver sacks, but v.s ramachandran has got 'it' better than you. the book is an intense delight into the world of neuroscience and philosophy. it's hard to put down and you find yourself educating your friends or anyone who will listen just to tell them about scinarios in the book. this book will keep your mind busy long after you have finsihed reading it"
~ Written on 2005-03-19
~ Written on 2005-03-19
"I first heard of VS Ramachandran when quite by accident I tuned into his giving the 2003 Reith Lectures on BBC Radio 4. His entertaining & instructive style prompted me to tune in a few nights later for the next instalment, and then to go and seek out his published work.
Phantoms in the Brain is an excellent introduction to practical studies of phantom limbs syndrome, and thus into the workings of the human brain and the concept of body imaging.
As a direct consequence of reading this book, I then eagerly awaited his next offering, the transcript of those BBC Lectures."
~ Written on 2004-04-18
Phantoms in the Brain is an excellent introduction to practical studies of phantom limbs syndrome, and thus into the workings of the human brain and the concept of body imaging.
As a direct consequence of reading this book, I then eagerly awaited his next offering, the transcript of those BBC Lectures."
~ Written on 2004-04-18
"A light and approachable book talking about how the mind (appears to) work(s) - I'm not a doctor or a scientist but still found this absorbing enough to read on holiday. As a point of reference, it is most similar in tone to Oliver Sacks' books (The Man Who His Wife For A Hat).
Using examples gleaned from case histories, Dr Ramachandran takes us into the world of phantom limbs, people who see cartoons and more. Oprah it is not - rather it is a thought provoking glimpse into the yet to be fully understood workings of the brain. Recommended"
~ Written on 1999-06-02
Using examples gleaned from case histories, Dr Ramachandran takes us into the world of phantom limbs, people who see cartoons and more. Oprah it is not - rather it is a thought provoking glimpse into the yet to be fully understood workings of the brain. Recommended"
~ Written on 1999-06-02