Origins of Neuroscience

From The Critics

Reviewer: Celso Agner, MD, MS, MSc(Michigan Neurology Partners)
Description: This book describes the beginnings of neurology as a science, when it became a direct outgrowth of the advances in neuroscience. Molecular biology, neurophysiology, and interactive/integrative neurological anatomy are described in great detail.
Purpose: The purpose of this book is to summarize the recent advances in the understanding of neurology and its role in current clinical management. The objectives are justified in this ever-changing field and the authors are successful in attaining their goals.
Audience: The book is written for neuroscientists, neurologists, and individuals interested in the management of neurological conditions and their chronology in history.
Features: The book is coauthored by authorities in neuroscience and neurology. Seven sections depict different aspects of neuroscience, starting with the origins of civilization and the practice of trephination, as well as philosophical doctrines and dogmas that dominated early neuroscience. The chapters are well written, the subject well covered, and the principles, well described. Pictures are relevant and the graphs, self-explanatory. The references are up-to-date.
Assessment: This is a necessary acquisition for neuroscience libraries. The value of its content exceeds its affordable price.

Journal of the History of the Neurosciences

Not just a reiteration of earlier books on the history of neurology.... This book adds much to what can be read in the other books on this subject and all this has been moulded in a creative form. The author ... was influenced ... to start adding neurohistory to his teaching program ... years of teaching, assembling material and reading finally resulted in this large 462-page volume.... a captivating book, to be used as a reader or as a reference book.... The book is an accession to the history of neuroscience.

Doodys Health Sciences Book Review Journal

Provides a scholarly and comprehensive history of the development of concepts about brain functions.... employs a scholarly but not pedantic approach; it offers a wealth of detail, yet it is quite readable.

History of Psychiatry

A mine of information.

Choice

Rich in illustrations.... There is a useful appendix of birth-death dates, and the references are extensive. The book has no rivals.... A well-written and valuable addition to the literature of the history of neuroscience.

Perceptual and Motor Skills

A comprehensive and well-written history of neuroscience, this book can serve either as an academic textbook or simply as a general source of historical information.... Specialists in neuropsychology, neurophysiology, and neurology should all find many intriguing ideas here as should anyone with an historical interest in the neurosciences.

Restorative Neurolog and Neuroscience

Although there has been no lack of outstanding publications in the field, we have had no single book that attempted a really comprehensive overview of the development of all the major concepts in neurobiology.... Now the Vesalian skeleton on its cover welcomes us to this masterly, readable and long-needed book.... Read from cover to cover, it provides a panorama of the entire field. Read by the casual reader who wants some background on a restricted topic, the book offers a series of bite-sized essays that can be munched at leisure.

Annals of Neurology

It is highly readable, beautifully illustrated and fun to browse! Well annotated, it serves as an excellent source book as well. The book will appeal to many neurological readers, including the ardent neurological history buff as well as the novice, seeking greater insight into the roots of neuropsychology and neurology.

New Scientist

The chapters are self-contained, so they can be used as background reading for students.... The book is a must for anyone researching brain function or treating diseases of the nervous system; highly recommended to anyone fascinated by how our brains work.

Integrative and Behavioral Science

No one interested in the history of neuroscience should be without this book.

3 Stars from Doody