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The Future of the Brain: Essays by the World’s Leading Neuroscientists edited by Gary Marcus and Jeremy Freeman [Princeton University Press, 2014; Guardian bookshop; Amazon UK hardcover/kindle UK; Amazon US hardcover/kindle US]
Publisher’s synopsis: An unprecedented look at the quest to unravel the mysteries of the human brain, The Future of the Braintakes readers to the absolute frontiers of science. Original essays by leading researchers such as Christof Koch, George Church, Olaf Sporns, and May-Britt and Edvard Moser describe the spectacular technological advances that will enable us to map the more than eighty-five billion neurons in the brain, as well as the challenges that lie ahead in understanding the anticipated deluge of data and the prospects for building working simulations of the human brain. A must-read for anyone trying to understand ambitious new research programs such as the Obama administration’s BRAIN Initiative and the European Union’s Human Brain Project, The Future of the Brain sheds light on the breathtaking implications of brain science for medicine, psychiatry, and even human consciousness itself.
My first impression: This book is a timely and in-depth discussion of the current state of neuroscience and brain research and how modern technologies are being used to recreate the brain and to test various hypotheses. Each chapter is written by different scientists (or scientific teams) and focuses upon a specific neuroscience concept or topic. Diagrams, drawings, and full-colour art add valuable insights, as does an index, glossary and references. This readable book will be especially appreciated by researchers and students and by curious nonspecialist readers. This book includes a chapter by 2014 Nobel laureates May-Britt Moser and Edvard Moser. The first chapter can be downloaded for free [PDF].
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Forty-Six Views of Montlake Fill by Constance Sidles, with art by Hiroko Seki [106 pages, Constancy Press, 2014]
Publisher’s synopsis: An exquisite collaboration of poetry and sumi, this new book by nature writer and poet Constance Sidles and renowned sumi artist Hiroko Seki is a visual and poetic paean to the nature these two outstanding creators interpret at Montlake Fill, a natural area in the heart of north Seattle.
My first impression: the Montlake Fill is a former wetland near the heart of Seattle that was used as a rubbish tip for many years. A gift from the city of Seattle to the University of Washington, it has been the focus of an intensive urban ecology research effort to restore it to its former glory. Now it is home to a huge variety of resident and migratory birds and other wildlife, and a growing variety of native plant species. But unlike most university research projects, the Montlake Fill can be accessed by the public at any time, day or night. Perhaps this is the reason that the Montlake Fill inspires writers, poets, artists and photographers. One of a number of books inspired by the Montlake Fill is this book of poetry and Asian art. This lovely oversized book is filled with short poems about the birds and other animals and the plants that live in an urban wetland, and on the facing page is a work of sumi art. (Sumi is an Asian art form that captures the spirit of the subject using a black ink wash applied with a paintbrush, similar to Asian calligraphy.) This quiet book beautifully captures how it feels to spend time at the Montlake Fill, or in any natural place. Only available directly from the publisher, it’s worth the extra effort necessary to get this book. A sample of the art and poetry can be viewed here.
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When she’s not got her nose stuck in a book, GrrlScientist is very active on twitter @GrrlScientist and lurks on social media: facebook, G+, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
