Understanding the Brain

October 1, 2018

How do brain cells receive, process, and transmit information? Dowling (emeritus, Harvard Univ.; Neurons and Networks; The Retina) provides the answer in this comprehensive introduction to the brain and neuroscience, expanding and updating 1999's Creating Mind: How the Brain Works. The fundamentals of brain function, such as how it's organized and grows, how neurons work, and a basic explanation of sensory receptor systems are covered in the book's first part. The second section explores the brains of various invertebrates in order to elucidate neural function in humans. The parts of the vertebrate brain and their function--think cerebellum and thalamus--are also explained. Dowling's area of research is vision, and as such, there is a more in-depth exploration of vision and visual perception. Later, Dowling considers higher brain function, specifically language, memory, learning, emotion, motivation, and consciousness. VERDICT This accessible, informative, and thorough treatise on brain function is recommended for students and general readers wishing to understand this vital organ.--Ragan O'Malley, Saint Ann's Sch., Brooklyn

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2018
How different are human brains from those of other mammals? What traits do we have in common with squid or horseshoe crabs? In this twenty-first-century continuation and updating of his lauded Creating Mind (1998), Harvard neuroscientist Dowling delves into the mysteries of the human brain, starting at the cellular level and building to ever-greater understandings of consciousness and the mind. Dowling treats readers to a thorough analysis of the latest science explaining our senses, behavior, and cognition, posing anew the age-old question of how our brains differ from those of other vertebrates and invertebrates and what makes us human. Dowling succeeds in creating a readable and enjoyable high-level narrative free of academic jargon and tone. Filled with figures and drawings to accompany the detailed and complex text, this is an excellent introduction to the brain for science-loving readers, especially those interested in biology and neuroscience.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)