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V. S. Ramachandran

The Tell-Tale Brain: A Neuroscientist's Quest for What Makes Us Human Hardcover – January 17, 2011

by V. S. Ramachandran (Author)

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Drawing on strange and thought-provoking case studies, an eminent neurologist offers unprecedented insight into the evolution of the uniquely human brain.

V. S. Ramachandran is at the forefront of his field-so much so that Richard Dawkins dubbed him the "Marco Polo of neuroscience." Now, in a major new work, Ramachandran sets his sights on the mystery of human uniqueness. Taking us to the frontiers of neurology, he reveals what baffling and extreme case studies can teach us about normal brain function and how it evolved. Synesthesia becomes a window into the brain mechanisms that make some of us more creative than others. And autism―for which Ramachandran opens a new direction for treatment―gives us a glimpse of the aspect of being human that we understand least: self-awareness. Ramachandran tackles the most exciting and controversial topics in neurology with a storyteller's eye for compelling case studies and a researcher's flair for new approaches to age-old questions. Tracing the strange links between neurology and behavior, this book unveils a wealth of clues into the deepest mysteries of the human brain. 15 black-and-white illustrations

Print length

384 pages
Language

English
Publisher

W. W. Norton & Company
Publication date

January 17, 2011
Dimensions

6.5 x 1.3 x 9.6 inches
ISBN-10

0393077829
ISBN-13

978-0393077827
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Ramachandran (A Brief Tour of Human Consciousness), director of the Center for Brain and Cognition at UCSD, explores why humans, who are "anatomically, neurologically and genetically, physiologically apes," are not "merely" apes. While animals can communicate with sound and gesture, and chimpanzees can even use words to express immediate needs, humans have developed the ability to speak in structurally complex sentences, and often speak in metaphor. Ramachandran speculates that, as we can map another's actions and intuit their thoughts, we also map our own sensory apparatus, perceiving our surroundings—and perceiving ourselves perceiving our surroundings. We imagine the future and speculate about the past and seek to understand our place in the universe, laying the foundation for our the sense of free will; we not only envisage future actions, but are aware of their potential consequences and the responsibility for our choices. Richard Dawkins has called Ramachandran "the Marco Polo of neuroscience," and with good reason. He offers a fascinating explanation of cutting-edge-neurological research that deepens our understanding of the relationship between the perceptions of the mind and the workings of the brain. (Jan.)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* The twentieth was the century of physics, with the grand unified theory its quest and goal. The twenty-first is shaping up as the century of neuroscience, with its quest and goal the reaffirmation of human exceptionalism. Boldly asserting, right off the bat, that Homo sapiens is “no mere ape,” Ramachandran tells us why the day of neuroscience has dawned. The discovery of mirror neurons (see Marco Iacoboni’s exciting Mirroring People, 2008) has made a real science out of psychology, for it gives the study of consciousness and the host of mental states contingent on it something physical to theorize about and experiment with. A physician (like Oliver Sacks, a neurologist) as well as a researcher, Ramachandran uses his neurology patients’ predicaments to inspire inquiries into how we see and know, the origins of language, the mental basis of civilization, how we conceive of and assess art, and how the self is constructed. Always careful to point out when he is speculating rather than announcing research findings, he is also prompt to emphasize why his speculations, or theories, are not just of the armchair variety but can be put to the test because of what neuroscience has already discovered about the active structures of the human brain. --Ray Olson

Review

"Starred Review. A physician (like Oliver Sacks, a neurologist) as well as a researcher, Ramachandran uses his neurology patients’ predicaments to inspire inquiries into how we see and know, the origins of language, the mental basis of civilization, how we conceive of and assess art, and how the self is constructed. Always careful to point out when he is speculating rather than announcing research findings, he is also prompt to emphasize why his speculations, or theories, are not just of the armchair variety but can be put to the test because of what neuroscience has already discovered about the active structures of the human brain."
― Booklist

"Ramachandran is the modern wizard of neuroscience. In The Tell-Tale Brain, we see the genius at work, tackling extraordinary cases, many of which mark turning points in neuroscientific knowledge. We see him hypothesizing, experimenting, failing, having epiphanies, experimenting, succeeding. In this utterly entertaining account, we see how these fascinating cases fit together, and how he uses them to explain, from a Darwinian point of view, how our brains, though evolved from those of other animals, become neurologically distinct and fundamentally human."
― Norman Doidge, M.D., author of The Brain That Changes Itself

"Ramachandran has written an astonishing book. His humanity, humor and scientific genius inform every passage. The Tell-Tale Brain is a veritable Voyage of the Beagle through the terrain of brain science and psychology."
― Nicholas Humphrey, author of Seeing Red

"A masterpiece. The best of its kind and beautifully crafted. Alluring story telling, building to a penetrating understanding of what it is to be uniquely human. Ramachandran is the foremost pioneer―the Galileo―of neurocognition."
― Allan Snyder, FRS, Director of the Centre for the Mind

"No one is better than V. S. Ramachandran at combining minute, careful observation with ingenious experiments and bold, adventurous theorizing. The Tell-Tale Brain is Ramachandran at his best, a profoundly intriguing and compelling guide to the intricacies of the human brain."
― Oliver Sacks, author of The Mind’s Eye

About the Author

V. S. Ramachandran is the director of the Center for Brain and Cognition and a Distinguished Professor with the Psychology Department and Neurosciences Program at the University of California, San Diego. He lives in Del Mar, California.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ W. W. Norton & Company; 1st edition (January 17, 2011)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0393077829
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0393077827
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.48 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 1.3 x 9.6 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #466,510 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #518 in Nervous System Diseases (Books)
- #816 in Anatomy (Books)
- #1,080 in Popular Neuropsychology

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Top reviews from the United States

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Zuff

but his own research is great enough for this interesting book

Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2017

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A fascinating book about distortions in parts of the brain and how the result in cognitive distortions. studying such cases can teach us a lot about how the normal brain works, how we understand what we understand, how we use our language, the role of language, metaphors, puns, humor, socialization, feel of agency, arts and aesthetics, in the way the brain works etc.
The author mainly speaks about his own research, but his own research is great enough for this interesting book.

There are also lots of examples of brilliant ideas on how to answer questions in research.

While I really enjoyed this book, there are a few caveats:
a. The author claims that he planned this book also for non-scientists. While formally this is true, the rate in which he invokes new terminology and uses it, might cause an overload and be overwhelming for anyone with no or little prior knowledge.
b. A considerable part of the book is about assumptions by the author. This, by itself is fine, but at times it was disappointing for me to see him starts a topic which is of great interest for me, just in order to offer a rough speculation and move on.
c. At times he seems to underestimate the contribution of others.

12 people found this helpful

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Caroline Enfield

Brilliant but flawed

Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2018

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Although heavy going I could not put this book down. It attempted to answer so many questions that we ask ourselves over the course of our lives and the answers were at the very least educated guesses and often backed up by thorough research. Two things put me off - the author's prurient sense of humour - he really needs to edit out the bit where the female student goes crawling around his office floor displaying parts of her tattooed anatomy in search of a giant penis bone - and the numerous spelling and grammatical errors which should not appear in a serious scientific study. Otherwise a fascinating read.

8 people found this helpful

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A Quest for Knowledge

Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2012

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The Tell-Tale Brain: A Neuroscientist's Quest for What Makes Us Human by V.S. Ramachandran

"The Tell-Tale Brain" is an insightful look into the intriguing world of neuroscience and what makes us uniquely human. Accomplished neuroscientist and author of " Phantoms in the Brain: Probing the Mysteries of the Human Mind " takes the reader on a ride of his life's work inside the connections between brain, mind and body. Using an approach that involves studying patients with damaged parts of their brains that lead to peculiar behavior; Dr. Ramachandran shares what he has learned from countless examples of brain disorders. This enlightening 384-page book is composed of the following nine chapters: 1.Phantom Limbs and Plastic Brains, 2. Seeing and Knowing, 3. Loud Colors and Hot Babes: Synesthesia, 4. The Neurons that Shaped Civilization, 5. Where Is Steven? The Riddle of Autism, 6. The Power of Babble: The Evolution of Language, 7. Beauty and the Brain: The Emergence of Aesthetics, 8. The Artful Brain: Universal Laws, and 9. An Ape with a Soul: How Introspection Evolved.

Positives:
1. Engaging writing style and great insights into neuroscience at an accessible level.
2. The fascinating world of neuroscience through personal case studies.
3. Good use of charts and diagrams.
4. Thought-provoking questions and answers based on a combination of sound science and educated speculation.
5. The author is candid on the limited knowledge we have in this young field but provides countless tidbits that whets ones appetite for more research.
6. Many thought-provoking ideas, "When informed that their conscious self emerges `simply' from the mindless agitations of atoms and molecules in their brains, people often feel let down, but they shouldn't."
7. The brain's amazing capacity for change (plasticity). How culture and evolution provided the impetus for change.
8. What makes the human brain truly unique; a look at how the brain processes visual information. Great Stuff!
9. Many great case studies; one of the most intriguing, synesthesia.
10. Mirror neurons at the heart of empathy. An evolutionary key to full-fledged culture.
11. Interesting insights into autism.
12. Explores how mirror neurons may have played a pivotal role in the development of language.
13. The brain's response to beauty and art. The author speculates on the possibility of real art (aesthetics). The nine laws of aesthetics.
14. The nature of self-awareness. Consciousness. The seven aspects of the self.
15. A look at disorders that create a sense of embodiment.
16. An interesting spectrum of mental disorders. Cotard and Capgras syndromes to name a few.
17. An excellent glossary of terms.
18. Links to notes and a formal bibliography.

Negatives:
1. Some of the attempts of humor fell flat. I would advise a neuroscientist to stay away from political and any type of humor that can be misconstrued as sexist.
2. The author gives the impression of reading his own press (egotistic). Honestly, it doesn't bother me too much but I can see it being annoying to others.
3. A basic refresher on evolution and how it relates to the brain would have added value to the book.
4. For the sake of clarity, scientists need to be clear on what the current scientific consensus is. There are times when the author tells you when he is speculating but there are also times when I'm not clear what the current scientific consensus is and it needs to be clearly pointed out.

In summary, I really enjoyed this book. Dr. Ramachandran's writing style and fascinating topic makes for a fun even though his overinflated ego can be distracting. That being said, neuroscience is a fascinating field and the author presents many interesting case studies to light on what makes our brains exceptional and thus human. A young field in the quest for answers, I highly recommend it!

Further suggestions: " Subliminal " by Leonard Mlodinow, " The Believing Brain: From Ghosts and Gods to Politics and Conspiracies---How We Construct Beliefs and Reinforce Them as Truths " by Michael Shermer, " The Scientific American Brave New Brain: How Neuroscience, Brain-Machine Interfaces, Neuroimaging, Psychopharmacology, Epigenetics, the Internet, and ... and Enhancing the Future of Mental Power " by Judith Horstman, " The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature " by Steven Pinker, " Who's in Charge?: Free Will and the Science of the Brain " and " Human: The Science Behind What Makes Us Unique ", by Michael S. Gazzaniga, " Hardwired Behavior: What Neuroscience Reveals about Morality 1st Edition by Tancredi, Laurence published by Cambridge University Press Paperback " by Laurence Tancredi, " Braintrust: What Neuroscience Tells Us about Morality [ BRAINTRUST: WHAT NEUROSCIENCE TELLS US ABOUT MORALITY BY Churchland, Patricia S. ( Author ) Aug-26-2012 " by Patricia S. Churchland, "Paranormality" by Richard Wiseman, and " The Brain and the Meaning of Life " by Paul Thagard.

28 people found this helpful

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M. Owens

The Tell-Tale Brain

Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2013

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Ramachandran is uniquely qualified to tackle this very difficult and intricate subject. He is Distinguished Professor in the Psychology Department and Neurosciences Program at U. Cal., San Diego. He has a previous book, Phantoms in the Brain. As the author points out, much of what we know about the human brain has been learned by what is disrupted after traumatic insult to that organ, such as vascular accidents or trauma. Only the development of more sophisticated imaging technology have we begun to appreciate the myriad of connections between the various areas, and we're apparently just beginning to scratch the surface of what must be the most complex organ in the body. Of particular interest to this reader is the section on "mirror neurons," a set of neurons that fire not only when we perform an action, but also when we see someone else perform that same action. This allows us to imitate the actions of others and clearly plays a significant role in our socialization.
The book is written in a conversational style that makes a difficult topic accessible to most readers, although I doubt that terms such as anosognosia or apotenophilia will stick with most of us for very long. The book has an excellent glossary and index sections which are very helpful.
The only gripe I have with the work is the gratuitous inclusion of political references that the author includes to make clinical points. The author's political leanings have zero interest for this reader and only serve to interrupt the flow of the narrative.

One person found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

docread

An accessible and stimulating work on the mysterious workings of the Brain

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 27, 2021

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This pioneer of neuroscience has written an entertaining and most informative book with great scientific insights interjected with a lot of humour. The text is replete with interesting clinical anecdotes and descriptions of odd syndromes that shed light on the normal brain functions. As with Claude Bernard, the great physiologist of the 19th C, it is the study of the pathological that informs the normal, it is the dysfunction that reveals the function. The Neurologist’s approach to the Brain is through studying the pathological, examining the sick and locating the brain lesions with increasingly sophisticated modern scans. It is still a topographical approach correlating abnormal or absent function to specific damaged areas, a model akin to the Phrenology of the 19th Century. However our author emphasises the myriad functional interconnections between separate parts of the brain, as autonomous interacting circuits or subsystems.

As an accomplished experimentalist devising ingenious experiments to confirm his hunches and hypotheses, he launches into adventurous speculations about the nature of language, the principles of aesthetic appreciation, the causes of autism among others; many hypotheses being framed by evolutionary biology. Among his contributions are the explanation of some brain disorders by the depletion of mirror neurons( autism), or the phenomenon of synesthesia with the abnormal overlap of contiguous synaptic connections explaining the associations of colours and numbers, words and shapes, and even phantom limbs etc.

However the book does not pretend to be the last word on Neurosciences. For instance the author doesn’t discuss neuroplasticity. He is less interested in the chemical neurotransmitters. They form another important subsystem as with the brain gut axis that explains some neurological disorders on the basis of either depletion or excessive production by certain gut bacteria of neuro chemicals that may be harmful. Again there is no discussion of the significance of the different brain waves and the new techniques of optogenetic stimulation, a recent neuromodulation technique combining optics and genetics to control the activities of individual neurons.
Neurosciences are advancing rapidly and no book can embrace the “ mind boggling” different approaches to the study of the Brain. Nevertheless the present text offers an exciting and stimulating perspective, possibly more conventional and clinically biased, but still quite illuminating and humane in its approach.

One person found this helpful

Bargain Betty

An absolutely fantastic read ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 30, 2016

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... and Ramachandran also makes it all very easy to follow (which is difficult with so many alien names of brain-parts to keep up with). Having been both a professional artist and a research scientist, I found the two chapters on the the neurology of aesthetics and Art particularly interesting. It reinforced what I have long suspected ... that there are rules that influence what we find 'attractive', each new generation of artists just love finding new ways to make you think they're breaking them when they're not at all.

Pat Dey

A brilliant tour de force through the human brain

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 1, 2015

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A brilliant tour de force through the human brain, with the kind of clarity, plain speaking, eloquence and wicked wit one expects from Feynman, but with the brain instead of physics as the topic. With a sound basis in evolution, by studying uncommon illnesses of the brain in the lab, Ramachandran shows how disparate capabilities of the brain like abstraction, laughter and pattern recognition are survival traits for which human evolution selects. For this software engineer, the computer turns out to be a useless metaphor for how the brain works: it's a survival-oriented rat's nest of self-optimising jelly! Fascinating, and invaluable in learning how to self-manage stroke rehab.

R. WEST-SOLEY

Neuroscientist and storyteller in one

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 7, 2013

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Ramachandran has a magical way of turning neuroscience into an Alice in Wonderland trip through the brain; he is neuroscientist and storyteller in one. These two strands combine into that rare skill of making the complex seem not only easy to understand, but gripping, compelling and leaving the reader hungry for more.

Never forgetting to position the working brain within the larger frame of human culture that surrounds it, it's a wonderfully well-rounded exploration of brain function through the pathological conditions he has come across in his work. Thoroughly recommended.

2 people found this helpful

lory mcgeown

Brilliant.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 22, 2017

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Superbly written. Fascinating and insightful with a clarity and ease of writing that sadly, most other authors on such subjects would do well to follow.

One person found this helpful

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