The Tell-Tale Brain

by V. S. Ramachandran
The Tell-Tale Brain cover
Good Books rating 4.23
Psychology and Human Behavior
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  • ID: 3331
  • Added: 2025-10-18
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9780434020232
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2011-01-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Drawing on strange and thought-provoking case studies, an eminent neurologist offers unprecedented insight into the evolution of the uniquely human brain. This book delves into the intricacies of human cognition, behavior, and emotion, providing a deeper understanding of what makes us human. By examining the brain's development and function, the author sheds light on the complexities of human consciousness and the neural basis of our thoughts and actions.

Reviews
The Guardian · 2011-02-20
fascinating 4.50

The book is praised for its absorbing puzzles and case histories that highlight the profound impact even mild head injuries can have. It serves as a reminder of the brain's complexity and the mysteries it holds.

The reviewer is captivated by the book's exploration of the brain's enigmatic nature through compelling case studies. They appreciate how the author uses these narratives to illustrate the profound and often unexpected consequences of brain injuries, even those that seem minor. The book is seen as a fascinating journey into the frontiers of neurology, offering insights into normal brain function and its evolution. The reviewer is particularly struck by the author's ability to make complex neurological concepts accessible and engaging.

Quick quotes

    The Tell-Tale Brain, with its absorbing puzzles and case histories, reminds us that even the mildest-seeming head injury can result in death.

    Ramachandran's book is a testament to the brain's complexity and the mysteries it holds.

    The author's ability to make complex neurological concepts accessible and engaging is commendable.

NPR · 2011-02-14
engaging 4.20

The book is highlighted for its engaging narrative and the author's ability to describe complex neurological phenomena in an accessible manner. The case studies are seen as both fascinating and illustrative.

The reviewer is impressed by the author's skill in presenting complex neurological phenomena in a way that is both accessible and engaging. They particularly enjoy the narrative style, which makes the book a compelling read. The case studies are seen as both fascinating and illustrative, providing valuable insights into how people perceive, speak, and conceive. The reviewer appreciates the author's ability to make these complex topics understandable and relatable to a general audience.

Quick quotes

    In his latest, The Tell-Tale Brain, Ramachandran describes several neurological case studies that illustrate how people see, speak, conceive ...

    The book's engaging narrative and accessible language make complex neurological phenomena understandable.

    The case studies are both fascinating and illustrative, providing valuable insights into human perception and cognition.

The New York Times · Jeffrey M. Gottlieb · 2011-01-28
thought-provoking 4.00

The book is commended for its inventive approach to understanding the mind through evolutionary terms. The reviewer finds the neurological case studies both baffling and enlightening.

The reviewer admires the author's exceptional creativity in exploring the workings of the mind through an evolutionary lens. They find the book's neurological case studies particularly intriguing, as they shed light on both normal brain function and its evolution. The reviewer appreciates how these case studies challenge our understanding of the mind and provide a unique perspective on human nature. Overall, the book is seen as a thought-provoking exploration of the brain's complexities.

Quick quotes

    An exceptionally inventive neuroscientist sees the workings of the mind in evolutionary terms.

    Ramachandran's case studies are both baffling and enlightening, offering a unique perspective on human nature.

    The book challenges our understanding of the mind and provides a thought-provoking exploration of the brain's complexities.

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