The Brain Book: Development, Function, Disorder, Health 1st Edition

Assuming no prior knowledge about the human brain on the part of its readers, this educational but nontextbook volume informs them of fundamentals ranging from anatomy to abnormalities and their treatment. Appropriately, since constructing vision is among the brain’s many remarkable talents, the work is generously visual; hundreds of color diagrams, photographs, and brain scans illustrate the information the text imparts. It first maps out the entire nervous system, from the body’s peripheral nerves to the spinal column to the geography of the brain itself. Ashwell then proceeds to physiological processes that the brain operates, such as digestion and movement, highlighting specific neural pathways dedicated to them and arriving at explanations of how neurons function. Such anatomical discussions prepare readers for the book’s most practical use, informing them of health issues associated with the brain. Proper childhood development is emphasized, problems like autism are addressed, and health problems encountered in adulthood—trauma, disease, addiction, aging, and psychopathology—are described. An informative general introduction, this will well serve the basic science collection. –Gilbert Taylor

A deluxe hardcover describing all the brain’s functions, disorders, and diseases, written by a team of international brain science experts. (Publisher’s Weekly 2012-08-13)

An informative general introduction, this will well serve the basic science collection. (Gilbert Taylor Booklist 2012-12-01)

There is something almost magical about a beautiful, colorful, well-illustrated book… There is hardly a single page without a full color photograph or illustration. The topics covered are wide ranging…. It is definitely a useful special topic book in upper middle school and high school. It would be particularly useful for a teacher who is interested in preparing some background information for elementary or middle level students…. This would make a good classroom or library reference book…. Those outside the education ranks would also benefit from the use of this book to look up items that might be if interest. (Steve Canpipe National Science Teachers Association Recommends 2013-02-04)

Owning a book on the brain is a no brainer, as the saying goes. It is an essential book for yourself and your family. (Shelf Life 2013-02-01)

Jaw-dropping images–MRIs, micrographs (photographs taken through a microscope), and detailed graphics–which display the brain like you’ve never seen, or thought of it, before. But think of it we should…. There’s much to learn, and all of it is fascinating…. This volume is so much more than a beautifully illustrated coffee table book, it is both fascinatingly detailed and extraordinarily readable. No reference library, or lover of good books, should be without a copy. (Tracey Tufnail Vancouver Sun 2013-03-30)

This could have easily been a very dull tome. It isn’t. (Randy Midzain Winnipeg Free Press 2012-12-01)