An alchemy of mind
Subtitle: the marvel and mystery of the brain
By: Diane Ackerman.
Publisher: Scribner
Published: 2004
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 300
Subjects: Brain; Neuropsychology
Description: "Diane Ackerman discusses the science of the brain as only she can. In addition to explaining memory, thought, emotion, dreams, and language acquisition, she reports on the latest discoveries in neuroscience and addresses controversial subjects like the effects of trauma and male versus female brains. Ackerman distills the hard, objective truths of science in order to yield vivid, heavily anecdotal explanations about a range of existential questions regarding consciousness, human thought, memory, and the nature of identify."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Miracle waters (Evolution): The enchanted loom; title: This island earth; title: Why we ask why?; title: The fibs of being; title: Light breaks where no sun shines; title: Sweet dreams of reason (The physical brain): The shape of thought; title: Inner space; title: Attention please; title: A passion for patterns; title: In the church of the pines; title: Einstein's brain; title: The mind's eye; title: Pavilions of desire (Memory): What is a memory?; title: Reflections in a gazing ball; title: Remember what?; title: Remember, I dream; title: Hello, he lied; title: Traumatic memories; title: Smell, memory, and the erotic; title: Never a dull moment (The self, and other fictions): Introducing the self; title: The other self; title: Personality; title: Shall it be male of female? Say the cells; title: Creating minds; title: The world is breaking someone else's heart (Emotions):  The emotional climate; title: The pursuit of happiness; title: The color of saying (Language): Memory's accomplice; title: Metaphors be with you; title: The color of saying; title: Shakespeare on the brain; title: The wilderness within (The world we share): Oasis; title: Conscience and consciousness; title: A kingdom of neighbors; title: The beautiful captive.