- Paperback: 384 pages
- Publisher: Arrow; New edition edition (3 Mar 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0099441659
- ISBN-13: 978-0099441656
- Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 12.8 x 2.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 400,905 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Book Description
Praised by historians (Lisa Jardine, Judith Flanders, Ross King), novelists (Neal Stephenson) and scientists (Oliver Sacks, Steven Pinker), this is an acclaimed work of historical biography in the tradition of The Lunar Men.
Product Description
At the beginning of the Europe's turbulent seventeenth century, no one knew how the brain worked. By the century's close, the science of the brain had taken root, helping to overturn many common misconceptions about the human body as well as to unseat centuries-old philosophies of man and God. Presiding over this evolution was the founder of modern neurology, Thomas Willis, a fascinating, sympathetic, even heroic figure who stands at the centre of an extraordinary group of scientists and philosophers known as the 'Oxford circle'. Chronicled here in vivid detail are their groundbreaking revelations and often gory experiments that first enshrined the brain as the chemical engine of reason, emotion, and madness - indeed as the very seat of the human soul. (20040922)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Paperback
This is an extraordinary history of a remarkable man and the revolutionary leaps in understanding made by him and his contemporaries. Focusing on Thomas Willis, a seventeenth century scientist, we uncover the fascinating developments made by him towards human anatomy and the brain. Willis was the first to describe and categorise various fevers and illnesses we know today. The key experiments that advanced scientific knowledge are detailed and discoveries of other eminent scientists and philosophers are discussed.
Its 300 pages encompass a vast amount of information, setting these discoveries against a backdrop of political and social change. The influence of religious thought and political power is clear to see. Some of this information required me to do a little background reading to gain a coherent understanding of the shift in power from the King to parliament and the impact of the civil wars.
I particularly enjoyed the last chapter which highlights the fact that some of Willis's speculations are only really being investigated today with modern technology. We are still only beginning to learn today that mental disorders have a physical effect on the brain itself, something that Willis pondered all those years ago.
I liked how the chapters are given an overview so you can keep track of the myriad of developments. A 'dramatis personae' is also included that lists key facts about each individual. The writing is so detailed and paints such a vivid picture, it really does feel as if you are there amongst them making these discoveries for the first time.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the development of human thought and understanding. It has particular interest to those keen on history, science, politics and philosophy. Or perhaps those who want to immerse themselves in another age as it will definitely stimulate your imagination and enhance your inderstanding. Enjoy!
Its 300 pages encompass a vast amount of information, setting these discoveries against a backdrop of political and social change. The influence of religious thought and political power is clear to see. Some of this information required me to do a little background reading to gain a coherent understanding of the shift in power from the King to parliament and the impact of the civil wars.
I particularly enjoyed the last chapter which highlights the fact that some of Willis's speculations are only really being investigated today with modern technology. We are still only beginning to learn today that mental disorders have a physical effect on the brain itself, something that Willis pondered all those years ago.
I liked how the chapters are given an overview so you can keep track of the myriad of developments. A 'dramatis personae' is also included that lists key facts about each individual. The writing is so detailed and paints such a vivid picture, it really does feel as if you are there amongst them making these discoveries for the first time.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the development of human thought and understanding. It has particular interest to those keen on history, science, politics and philosophy. Or perhaps those who want to immerse themselves in another age as it will definitely stimulate your imagination and enhance your inderstanding. Enjoy!
Format:Paperback
This book is set in a fascinating time of great upheaval in British history. Through a period of Regicide, religious extremism, civil war, plaque and pestilence came a relatively small group of people who, by questioning old and accepted ideas by trusting their own observations, came to lay the foundations of the modern world. There are some well known names mentioned at length here such as Harvey, Boyle , Hooke, Wren and Petty but the main story is about Willis and his study and exploration of the brain and nervous system and concentrates on medical matters, but there is enough meandering to include other scientific/philosophic advances also.
It shows the journey these men took from the ideas, still very much prevalent at the start of this period, from the ancients such as Aristotle, Galen, Plato etc. ( Remarkable as they were in their own time) to what seems much more familiar to us.
The book is written in a very accessible and easily understood style and reads almost like a novel at times. I would highly recommend it to anybody with any general interest in science and/or history, regardless of their expertise in science or medical knowledge.
A thoroughly good read.It was hard to put the book down at times.
It shows the journey these men took from the ideas, still very much prevalent at the start of this period, from the ancients such as Aristotle, Galen, Plato etc. ( Remarkable as they were in their own time) to what seems much more familiar to us.
The book is written in a very accessible and easily understood style and reads almost like a novel at times. I would highly recommend it to anybody with any general interest in science and/or history, regardless of their expertise in science or medical knowledge.
A thoroughly good read.It was hard to put the book down at times.
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