
The Tell-Tale Brain
Unlocking the Mystery of Human Nature
V. S. Ramachandran(Author)
Windmill Books (Publisher)
Published on 5. April 2012
Book
Paperback/Softback
384 pages
978-0-09-953759-5 (ISBN)
Description
John, aged sixty, suffered a stroke and recovered fully, except in one respect: although he can see perfectly, he can no longer recognise faces, even his own reflection in a mirror.
Whenever Francesca touches a particular texture, she experiences a vivid emotion: denim = extreme sadness; wax = embarrassment; orange peel = shock.
Jimmie, whose left arm was recently amputated, can still feel it - and it's itchy.
Our brains are the most enchanting and complex things in the known universe - but what happens when they go wrong? Dr V. S. Ramachandran, 'the Sherlock Holmes of brain science' and one of the world's leading neuroscientists, has spent a lifetime working with patients who suffer from rare and baffling brain conditions. In The Tell-Tale Brain, he tells their stories, and explores what they reveal about the greatest mystery of them all: how our minds work, and what makes each of us so uniquely human.
Whenever Francesca touches a particular texture, she experiences a vivid emotion: denim = extreme sadness; wax = embarrassment; orange peel = shock.
Jimmie, whose left arm was recently amputated, can still feel it - and it's itchy.
Our brains are the most enchanting and complex things in the known universe - but what happens when they go wrong? Dr V. S. Ramachandran, 'the Sherlock Holmes of brain science' and one of the world's leading neuroscientists, has spent a lifetime working with patients who suffer from rare and baffling brain conditions. In The Tell-Tale Brain, he tells their stories, and explores what they reveal about the greatest mystery of them all: how our minds work, and what makes each of us so uniquely human.
Reviews / Votes
Ramachandran is a latter-day Marco Polo -- Richard Dawkins A profoundly intriguing and compelling guide to the intricacies of the human brain. -- Oliver Sachs Excellent ... I cannot imagine a better account of the sweep of contemporary neuroscience * Financial Times * A leader in his field and an ingenious and tireless researcher. This is the best book of its kind that I have come across * New York Review of Books * A masterpiece. The best of its kind and beautifully crafted. -- Allan Snyder, FRS, Director of the Centre for the Mind Ramachandran is the modern wizard of neuroscience... here we see the genius at work. -- Norman Doidge, author of The Brain That Changes Itself An astonishing book. His humanity, humour and scientific genius inform every passage. -- Nicholas HumphreyMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Cornerstone
Target group
Professional and scholarly
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 203 mm
Width: 134 mm
Thickness: 30 mm
Weight
360 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-09-953759-5 (9780099537595)
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
04/2012
1st Edition
Cornerstone Digital
€9.99
Available for download
Person
Vilayanur S. Ramachandran is widely held to be the most exciting neuroscientist alive. Director of the Centre for the Brain at the University of California, San Diego, he has received many honours and awards. His previous book, the critically acclaimed Phantoms in the Brain, was the basis for a Channel Four TV series.