The brain has been confounding humans since the Egyptians first took a look at it so many years ago. Since then, humans have been spending thousands of years trying to discover its secrets, and what exactly makes people act the way they do. In A History of the Brain: From Stone Age Surgery to Modern Neuroscience, Andrew Wickens dives deep into the history of our relationship with the brain. Learn More

First, he discusses the various beliefs held by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and the Romans. Then he extends his historical coverage from the Medieval period all the way up to the Renaissance and the nineteenth century. While the focus of Andrew’s work is primarily historical, he also introduces new concepts in the field of neuroscience, including where the field may be headed in the future.

If you have no knowledge of the brain, or traditional neuroscience, you have no excuse to not pick up a copy of Andrew’s book. It’s written for the layperson, and the stories will be fascinating for students, while at the same time offering valuable insights to experienced researchers. If you want to understand the evolution of how humans have thought about the brain for the last smattering of centuries, then this book is a necessary addition to your (virtual) bookshelf.