Neuroscience For Dummies 3rd Edition

Really great overview and introduction to an important, rapidly developing field. Well written and full of fascinating facts. Loved it!

There is a ton of information in this book about a subject about which I know little so - a good way to get an idea about a huge amount of information.

Great piece to first step. Only basic high school level background is enough to digest all. Can have more visuals

Frank Amthor explains the architecture of the human brain and how it works.Pros: The discussions on cell biology are accessible and interesting to a non-biologist. The neocortex makes humans what we are, and as the outermost portion of the brain, it is located in a fortuitous place for neuroscience studies. There are many well-placed explanations of neuroscience experiments. The descriptions of brain architecture across creatures is excellent.Neutral (Neither Pro nor Con): I was surprised to read Amthor's position that language is a precursor for consciousness: animals that are incapable of understanding language in a semantic sense, which applies to pretty much every non-human living thing, are not conscious. I hadn't seen such a stark position in other readings on neuroscience or consciousness studies. I do not fault the position even though I disagree, because it is argued well.Cons: There is a lot of terminology and I suppose there has to be, but there are twice as many names for areas in the brain than I can keep straight even with the intentional repetition.Overall, Neuroscience For Dummies is an engaging book about how the brain works. It is a worthy read and I recommend it.

The author is skillful: kept me going while the basics sunk in. TEN Things was a great help. The glossary well done. It also becomes possible to read selectively.