3-Pound Universe (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Current scientific orthodoxy asserts that the human brain is like a computer, but the authors and many of the 175 brain scientists they interviewed are not so sure. This intriguing survey features distinguished researchers who throw their scientific weight behind the idea that the mind is more than the brain. Omni science writers Hooper and Teresi let the chips fall as they may. They charge that human-potential gurus who tout the cerebral right hemisphere as the "creative" half of the brain are oversimplifying split-brain theory. Their interview with Harvard sleep researchers suggests that a drastic revision of Freud's dream theory is in order. A kaleidoscopic array of investigations deals with the role of chemical messengers in mental illness, how electrical stimulation can shut off the brain's fear/rage switch, multiple personalities, chimpanzee vocabulary, amnesia and more. The book's second half explores the outer frontiers of current brain research, including studies of hallucination, near-death experiences and the theory of brain as hologram. An exciting, open-minded, state-ofthe-art brain scanone of the best books of its kind. First serial to Omni and New Age; Natural Science Book Club alternate.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Hooper and Teresi of Omni magazine offer the general reader an excellent survey of neuroscience, based on interviews with major figures on the cutting edge of research. This is exciting reading about a world of fast-breaking discoveries, the underlying theme of which is the search for the basis of consciousness: the mind/brain relationship. The authors engage the reader's interest with their clear presentation of the "hard" science of the brainanatomy, physiology, chemistrywithout compromising the complexity of the many new findings. The more subjective areasaltered states, dreams, near-death reports, etc.get, perhaps, more space than they warrant, but these do appeal to most readers. Highly recommended for general collections. Macmillan Natural Science Book Club alternate. George Adelman, Editor, "Encyclopedia of Neuroscience"
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Laurel (April 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440585074
• ISBN-13: 978-0440585077
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,737,199 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Read this book when you're young---, October 21, 2001

By	M. Nichols-Haining - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Three Pound Universe (Paperback)

In another lifetime, I would have studied neurobiology--and this book would have been what inspired me. I read this book a decade ago, and recently re-read it. It's still as good; and is enhanced by Asimov's forward. The book touches on the relationship between who we are physically, and what we think. There are chapters explaining the intricate link between our senses (visual perception and sound, for example--how sound can sometime produce 'colors').

The Three-Pound Universe discusses madness, heaven and hell, god, the neurobiology of madness, altered states of consciousness....it touches on a lot, without going too in depth. It was a great introduction, one that inspired me to read more on the subject. If this book had been published in the 1980's, and I had stumbled on it in high school, it could have changed my life.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the best book available to study the brain, September 11, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Three Pound Universe (Paperback)

I have a head injured son and I have made it an avocation to study the brain and how it works. Out of the dozens of books I've read - this is the most exhaustive and thorough book I've seen. More importantly, the material covers everything you'd want to know about our minds including psychology, philosophy as well as the physiology. It's entertaining as well as informative. I keep giving my copies away so I keep having to buy more. I highly recommend this book - for the uninformed as well as the most knowledgable of experts. It's hard to find another book as comprehensive.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing and wonderful book, April 7, 2001

By	Lee Bessa (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Three Pound Universe (Paperback)

This is one of those books that end up profoundly affecting your life and your world view. I changed the direction of my career because of things I read in here. Take a chance and read it. You will never view the world quite the same again. It led me to read at least ten more books that were mentioned in it and they were great too. Reading this book is really a worthwhile way to spend your time.