Right Hand, Left Hand
The multiple award-winning true life scientific detective story
Published on 13. November 2003
Book
Paperback/Softback
480 pages
978-0-7538-1355-3 (ISBN)
Description
Winner of the Aventis Science Book Prize. 'A scientific detective story, a brilliant cross between Edgar Allan Poe and Gray's anatomy' J G Ballard, New Stateman Books of the Year
'Fascinating' New Scientist
'Wonderful' Nature
- What is the connection between Paul McCartney, Leonardo Da Vinci and Babe Ruth?
- Why are parrots and peacocks left-footed?
- Do left-handers behave differently from right-handers?
- Why are most people right-handed?
- Why are all muppets left-handed?
- Why is the heart on the left-hand side of the body?
- Why is each side of the human brain so different?
RIGHT HAND, LEFT HAND uses sources as diverse as the paintings of Rembrandt and the sculpture of Michelangelo, the behaviour of Canadian cichlid fish and the story of early cartography. Modern cognitive science, the history of the Wimbledon tennis championship and the biographies of great musicians are also used to explain the vast repertoire of 'left-right' symbolism that permeates our everyday lives.
'Fascinating' New Scientist
'Wonderful' Nature
- What is the connection between Paul McCartney, Leonardo Da Vinci and Babe Ruth?
- Why are parrots and peacocks left-footed?
- Do left-handers behave differently from right-handers?
- Why are most people right-handed?
- Why are all muppets left-handed?
- Why is the heart on the left-hand side of the body?
- Why is each side of the human brain so different?
RIGHT HAND, LEFT HAND uses sources as diverse as the paintings of Rembrandt and the sculpture of Michelangelo, the behaviour of Canadian cichlid fish and the story of early cartography. Modern cognitive science, the history of the Wimbledon tennis championship and the biographies of great musicians are also used to explain the vast repertoire of 'left-right' symbolism that permeates our everyday lives.
Reviews / Votes
A fascinating and immensely readable exploration of the whole topic * NEW SCIENTIST * A scientific detective story, a brilliant cross between Edgar Allan Poe and Gray's anatomy * NEW STATESMAN BOOKS OF THE YEAR * Limpidly written, dryly witty and extraordinarily wide-reaching, this is surely the most inclusive and erudite popular account of asymmetry yet produced * SPECTATOR * A fascinating study of the origins of asymmetry in life, culture and myth * TLS * Spanning disciplines from genetics to folklore, McManus's account of 'handedness' must be one of the most intellectually capricious science books this year * SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY * Wonderful book...He has done a marvellous job of summarising and integrating a wide range of findings from various disciplines addressing questions on the nature of right and left * NATURE * An excellent mix of hard science and engaging games and tricks, and a treasury of anecdotes -- Margaret DrabbleMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Orion Publishing Co
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 195 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 32 mm
Weight
383 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7538-1355-3 (9780753813553)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
07/2013
Weidenfeld & Nicolson
€3.99
Available for download
Person
CHRIS MCMANUS is Professor of Psychology and Medical Education at University College, London. He is the author of the leading textbook Psychology in Medicine and is the co-editor of The Cambridge Handbook of Psychology, Health and Medicine. He is one of the world?s foremost experts on handedness and lateralization.