[.ca] Minds behind the Brain: A History of the Pioneers and ... (ISBN 0195181824)

From Amazon.com:
With neuroscience steadily replacing psychology, philosophy, and even religion as a model of self-understanding, it's time we take a look back at the history and meaning of this curious branch of research. Washington University historian Stanley Finger charms and invigorates the reader with Minds Behind the Brain, a look at thousands of years of brain science in the form of biographical sketches. Nineteen great scientists whose brilliant insights, determined work, and resistance to cultural expectations brought this three-pound, lumpy beige ball increasing respect--from the ancient Egyptians discarding it upon death to our own view of it as the seat of consciousness. Ramon y Cajal, Sperry, Galen, and Descartes are among the researchers Finger chooses to illuminate. Their peers, colleagues, and times are also portrayed vividly; the unavailability of human corpses for dissection until very recently, the still-raging debate on vivisection and animal research, and religious resistance to certain findings have all worked against these men and women. Well-chosen illustrations help humanize these figures, as does the author's careful balance between depictions of research and personal lives. How did Descarte's dog figure in the philosopher's understanding of the soul? Find out in Minds Behind the Brain. --Rob Lightner

excellent overall history:
this book is not a medical reference or textbook. it is, however, an excellent historical exploration of brain and neuroscience. i loved it! i am not a doctor, but an historian, and my curiosity on the subject was satiated. i can now hold up an impressive end of a conversation regarding all things neurological. this book is for the general public, and all those who want to learn more about civilization, anthropology, biology, science, etc... highly recommended.

Great for what it is.:
As the author of a history of psychology book, I bought this book for the information that I'll be able to work into my next revision. Although I confess I haven't read it completely, I've enjoyed the parts I have read and look forward to completing it. Many of the characters in the history of psychology are fascinating, and this is also true of characters in the history of neuroscience, which is what Finger's writing about. He's done an excellent job in bringing his subjects to life. Strongly recommend.

Excellent layout, stilted performance:
The history of brain study is absolutely fascinating. It is a wonderful thought to give an account of this branch of knowledge through the lives of geniuses who gave birth to various aspects of our modern understanding of how the brain and the nervous system work. Dr. Finger's book is comprehensive, scientifically sound and well-researched, to say the very least. Unfortunately, this noble project is somewhat compromised by a rather stilted narration. There is very little thrill and suspense in the way the author recounts his story, and some of his comments are too simplistic and naive. Given the complex subject and the fact that the reader should be rather knowledgeable anyway to enjoy the book, this looks like patronizing or just ineptness. A pity. Otherwise, a wealth of information.

About time someone wrote a narrative history of neuroscience:
Boy...I wish I had had this book when I was going through neuroscience for my BS and my MS in med school! Too many professors do not realize that you cannot teach science out of context of history and social/cultural impact of the times in which the discoveries were made. So many times science is presented as the technological and mathematical sides of it, without portraying the human side of the story. Science does not exist in a vacuum, and despite what many 'scientists' believe their discoveries are not free from cultural and social bias. The pictures and photographs add to the interest level and fun of reading this book. I enjoy seeing the older instruments, the drawings done by the original scientists, and photographs of the man with myasthenia gravis who was given anticholinesterase drugs to help with his affliction. This type of information puts a human face on dry science. Ultimately it is the application of what is learned in neuroscience used to relieve the suffering of those with chronic degenerative diseases which I find rewarding, not just the science as an end in itself. In fact, most of the men who made significant additions to neuroscience and understanding of the brain were trying to elucidate how the brain works in order to help those with these types of brain problems. Finger does an excellent job. It is a long book, but immensely readable. Lots of information that was new to me, along with information that I had gotten glimpses from other sources (usually magazine articles in historical or lay science journals). This book should definitely be on hold in any university library where neuroscience is being taught, and if teaching neuroscience, professors should recommend to students to go and read the relevant chapters for historical background in this book. There were a few scientists I would have liked more information on like Wilder Penfield. I would have preferred more recent (last 150 years) then all the early information from Greek history. That is a personal bias of mine, and not a reflection on the author who had to make choices of how much to put in the book about whom. I plan on keeping this book where I can reach it for papers and for teaching. I disagree with the reviewer who complained about all the references. I appreciate the referenced information, so that I know where to go for more information on a particular topic. I also plan on making this book recommended reading for my students and for deaf students. Karen Sadler, Science Education, University of Pittsburgh

A Facinating Depiction of a facinating development!!:
Hey! This book is good! Electricians and electronics buffs, there is a couple of chapters about people whose names you will certainly recognize. I appreciated Ben Franklin's cameo. I also appreciated the elucidation of the idea that without adequate data collecting devices, neurology was limited to guessing. The development of electroic measuring apparatti is covered lucidly. The book is fast paced, and the role of Nazism chasing the intelligent people out of Germany made me hope that somebody is writing a book about "the brain drain inficted on Germany by Nazism."