Customer Reviews

The Biology of Mind: Origins and Structures of Mind, Brain, and Consciousness

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This book is essentially a review of current neuroscience. It is not at all technical, and very clearly written. It should serve as an introductory text, and it is not intended to be anything more. Do not expect the advancement of controversial theories or cutting edge research. It is all quite fundamental. The focusing in evolution, embodiement, top down and top up approaches, makes it a complete volume, a solid introduction to neuroscience. The consciousness section is not very interesting. It considers somo work by dennett and Llinas, but nothing really original. It is a fun and easy book to read, and unless you are an expert or someone who is very familiar with the field, you should find a lot of useful information.

Science texts are not all dry, ponderous tomes! You can learn all about the secrets of your grey matter without the aid of cases of Coke!

The Biology of the Mind delves into the weighty subject of examining the intimate working of the human brain and the science behind it while never losing readability. The book is written in a clear prose that is intelligible to all readers, including non-science majors. Basic concepts are reviewed and then built upon in a logical way. Each chapter begins with an outline to prepare you for where you are headed and ends with a comprehensive summary to reviewing all the key ideas presented in that chapter. The questions at the end of each chapter allow you to test what you've learned before you'd really need to prove it on an exam.

The chapters themselves are well organized with topic headings signaling changes in focus and key points appearing in the margins. Clearly captioned illustrations assist in understanding concepts or depict the areas of the brain that are being discussed. Sprinkled throughout the book are a series of fun "self-experiments" that illustrate concepts and provide for some active individual learning. Many of these experiments are very entertaining and call attention to all the tricks our mind plays on us. Should if you become particularly interested in one topic or the other, each chapter ends with a suggested reading list. Even better - for the Web savvy there is an online copy of the book with citations, comments, and other helpful resources.

This is a great text book and a wonderful starting place for anyone who is interested in learning more about the way our brains work, both physically and psychologically. It is a clear, interesting, and sometimes humorous look inside our heads and a great explanation of what we find there. I definitely recommend it either as a self-study book or as a supplement to any number of science and health-profession related classes.

THE BIOLOGY OF MIND authored by M. Deric Bownds from Madison, Wisconsin takes us on a wonderful journey into realms about thinking and feeling and willing that so many people have written so much about. Who among us has not been drawn to ideas and possibilities about who we are and from whence we come? This book is a bit different from others I have read on this engrossing topic. This one talks with us not at us; Dr. Bownds engages us as we read about perception, vision, language, growth, senses, adaptations, origins, development and, of course, brain and mind and what all that means. There are many self-experiments - excercises that we can do as we read the book that help us understand by direct application that which Dr.Bownds is telling us. I have read the book twice now and am sure to do it again. I, sometimes, just pick THE BIOLOGY OF MIND off my book shelf and just read a chapter that I select at random. I am always struck with Dr. Bownds' ability to bring out and introduce ideas allowing us to assimilate them at our own pace. Oh..and the cover is terrific! Enjoy the read. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

I am a psychiatrist with a life long passion for understanding the common meeting ground of psychology, biology, spirituality, neurocognitive science,and experiential therapy. This book is the best introduction to and synthesizing of an understanding of how the brain/mind operates as the center of that nexus. He integrates evolutionary priciples, linguistic theory, constructionist models, and experiential principles with a wholistic understanding of humans as persons. Great basis for those in all fields that want to move outside the narrow confines of their own area.

One of the best books that introduces how consciousness, selfhood, emotion, etc. arise from the brain, under the intertwined effects of evolution, genes, environment and cultures. Topics covered are broad and adequate for both students and general readers. The book is wisely organized and easy to read. Each chapter contains an outline at the start and a comprehensive summary at the end. Important points are emphasized in the margins. Also there are many interesting self-experiments that are not only entertaining but also very helpful for readers to understand important concepts in the book. There are thought-provoking questions at the end of each chapter that encourage one to think and explore deeper. Although a copy of the book is available online, I recommend readers to buy it since it is inexpensive.

I love this book. It's a broad ranging introduction to the evolution of mind, a great entry point read for anyone drawn to this subject, but it's also not a lightweight book. I have felt usefully informed by it.

I really cannot imagine a better introduction to neuroscience and the mind in general. For one, the book covers all the practical bases of an intro book by offering book recommendations at the end of each chapter and interesting additions such as the "self-experiments" scattered throughout the book. What truly impressed me, however, was how much insight Bownds brings to each of the topics being discovered (especially impressive considering it is introductory). He incorporates several themes into the book and uses them to tie all the ideas together. I highly recommend this to anyone with a budding interest in the brain/mind and also to those who want to gain a better understanding of human nature and society.