The Brain: The Story of You

Language is very simple. Topics are to the point and connect immediately. Author doesn't indulge in speculation but gives logical, fact based narrative. A very good overview of a complex subject. A very good starting point for anyone who does not have any background in the subject. Chapter 2 "what is reality" is especially illuminating. Chapter 5 describes the war and mass cruelty from neurology viewpoint. Recommendations on how to avoid such ills of humanity are worth considering.

2/5 may be a bit generous for this book. I don’t find it hugely intriguing or educational. There are some useful discussions on memory and the early brain development in young child but other than that, this book is packed with research evidence that are too scientifically situational, biased and even narrow-minded, in my opinion. It too much focuses on the technical mechanism and disregards the underlying force which largely makes human human - our identity, mentality, emotions, values, beliefs - individually. I find the whole brain simulation and brain uploading thing is utterly naive and scientifically condescending, not only in the last chapter of this book but also some other articles I had read. It disregards altogether our harmonious biological ecosystem that takes Mother Nature hundreds of millions years of evolution to create and perfect. The idea that “we” (only the brain?!) can exist in whatever physical forms outside our own human body is nothing more than some horror folklores or myths children get told in comic books.

It's an extraordinary book and vastly researched by David Eagleman. He has presented our brain in such explicable manner that any layman can understand the complex working of it. He makes you revere the brain inside us which is on a constant workout due to which we are sensible and cognizant beings walking this earth. The experiments in this book are really good. The fact that to a lift a cup of coffee there's so much coordination going on inside the brain is mind boggling. Loved it and a must read.