[.ca] Phantoms in the Brain: Probing the Mysteries of the ... (ISBN 0688172172)

From Amazon.com:
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 labeled, 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. V.S. 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 with Phantoms in the Brain. --Rob Lightner

Phenomenal Collection:
The assembled stories are truly amazing, prompting a thoughtful reanalysis of the way our minds work and what it means to be human. Dr. Ramachandran's writing (or ghost-writing; I note there are two authors listed) is excellent, as well. He describes his cases with compassion and enthusiastically explores the possible meanings of his observations. He explores topics ranging from body imaging, the inner workings of vision, hemispheric specialization, to the neurological correlates to religious experience. Though I don't think his conclusions are always foolproof (and neither does he), there is a great deal of food for thought here, enough to keep you thinking about the nature of the brain and human experience long after the final page is turned.

Great read:
I am an IT professional working for an MNC.When I first looked at this book, I was not very sure if i can understand the complex subject the book dealt with. But now,after having read the book, I feel its just great. Some of the incidents in the book are surprising and thought provoking. Very interesting narration about how the brain works, human vision and why we behave in a particular way. Now, everytime i come across the word 'phantom' I recollect this book.

Very enlightening!!!:
Put into layman's terms this book clearly identifies the newest topics of nueropsychology. With his wit and humor Ramachandran illustrates these topics as so the average joe could understand. If you are just starting to topple this field this is just the type of book I would recommend starting with.

Fascinating insight into neurological problems:
I first heard of VS Ramachandran when quite by accident I tuned into his giving the 2003 Reith Lectures on BBC Radio 4 (like PBS). 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.

Educational fun for everyone!:
An excellent introduction to the fascinating field of neuropsychology. Dr. Ramachandran has here hand-picked the most interesting of his case studies, and the result is a very interesting book. Even if you have no knowledge of the brain, Ramachandran writes fluently in a language that entertains, informs, and fascinates even the least academic of readers. His writing is easy to follow and unhindered by too many technical terms, as compared to another popular neurologist/author, Oliver Sacks, whose work is less accessible to those unfamiliar with brain physiology. He offers his (very detailed and well-researched) theories and explanations for a number of neurological disorders and everyday experiences, complete with incredibly helpful endnotes for those curious to learn more. I recommend this book to psychology students, science nuts, philosophers, and laypersons alike.