The Amazing Brain

"The Amazing Brain" was written in 1984 by biologists Robert Ornstein and Richard F. Thompson as an accessible introduction to neuroscience for the lay reader. It is illustrated with the black-and-white drawings of David Macaulay, which are both whimsical and informative. Macaulay illustrates 3 major sections of the book: an introduction to the parts of the brain, a tour of the visual system, and a proposal for a 40-story walk-in brain museum that concludes the book. The text, the meat of the book, is divided into 2 sections between the illustrated material. The first, "The Ramshackle Brain", is about the brain's structure and its electro-chemical physiology. The second section focuses on brain function: memory, hemispheres, individual differences in structure, the mind's effect on health. "The Ramshackle Brain" moves from the development of neurons to the functions of areas and specific structures of the brain. It supplies the most detailed information about the visual cortex, perhaps because it is the best understood. Chemical synapses and the physiology of neurons are explained, from nerve impulse to synaptic transmission. The second section (about 25% of the book) is more dated, as more is understood about memory, the developing brain, and the effects of diet and environment on the brain now than in 1984. There are some interesting references to old studies, though, including some alarming experimental surgeries done on epileptics that were instructional but disastrous for the patients. I enjoyed the illustrations, and "The Amazing Brain" is still a nice introduction to the subject, though not always up-to-date.

I teach an introduction to anatomy and physiology class at a community college. I found this book at used book store and was thrilled with it's contents. It is like some old book about other worlds -- just a lot of fascinating facts and information. The illustrations and information are excellent!

The most striking aspect of the authors'work is the magnificent way in which the various layers of the brain/consciousness are paired with the drawings evoking our ancient evolutionary history. Rather than a modern suburban house built on a scraped lot, the brain is portrayed as a ruin with succeeding layers built on top of each other. I believe the book succeeds in conveying a sense of mystery as to how we are able to function as modern homo sapiens while carrying around with us the results of milennia of evolution: the hope and the danger as it were. And yet, this is all achieved in a very light-hearted and entertaining manner.

Filled with unique illustrations of the brain in an imaginative manner, combined with powerful information regarding the clinical anatomy of our CPU, this is a must read for those working with brain injured individuals or who would just like to understand the magic that is our mind.

A really great introduction to the workings of the brain. Truly memorable illustrations: so much better than those dry, factual diagrams you get in most textbooks. This book is an easy read, and keeps a lively pace. Its only drawback is that it is a little dated, but any book on a subject under such intensive research is likely to be a bit out of date by the time it reaches the lay-reader. Highly recommended though.