Two Heads - bookrastinating.com

Hardcover, 352 pages

English language

Published April 25, 2022 by Scribner.

ISBN:: 978-1-5011-9407-8

This “charming and addictively accessible introduction to neuroscience” (Steven Pinker) takes us on a highly entertaining tour through the wonders and mysteries of the human brain—from a renowned husband-and-wife team of cognitive neuroscientists.

Professors and husband-and-wife team Uta and Chris Frith have pioneered major studies of brain disorders throughout their nearly fifty-year career. Here, in this “pleasing mix of wonder, genial humor, and humility” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review), they tell the compelling story of the birth of neuroscience and their paradigm-shifting discoveries across areas as wide-ranging as autism and schizophrenia research, and new frontiers of social cognition including diversity, prejudice, confidence, collaboration, and empathy.

Working with their son Alex Frith and artist Daniel Locke, the Friths delve into a wide range of complex concepts and explain them with humor and clarity. You’ll learn what it means to be a “social species,” explore what happens when we gather in …

This “charming and addictively accessible introduction to neuroscience” (Steven Pinker) takes us on a highly entertaining tour through the wonders and mysteries of the human brain—from a renowned husband-and-wife team of cognitive neuroscientists.

Professors and husband-and-wife team Uta and Chris Frith have pioneered major studies of brain disorders throughout their nearly fifty-year career. Here, in this “pleasing mix of wonder, genial humor, and humility” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review), they tell the compelling story of the birth of neuroscience and their paradigm-shifting discoveries across areas as wide-ranging as autism and schizophrenia research, and new frontiers of social cognition including diversity, prejudice, confidence, collaboration, and empathy.

Working with their son Alex Frith and artist Daniel Locke, the Friths delve into a wide range of complex concepts and explain them with humor and clarity. You’ll learn what it means to be a “social species,” explore what happens when we gather in groups, and discover how people behave in pairs—when we’re pitted against each other, versus when we work together. Is it better to surround yourself with people who are similar to yourself, or different? And, are two heads really better than one?

5 editions

Allyson M W Dyar reviewed Two Heads by Uta Frith

Review of 'Two Heads' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

When I first picked this book to review, I was fooled by the title of “Two Heads” as I thought it was going to discuss the theory of right brain versus left brain.

Instead, I was treated to a really interesting voyage through experimental psychology with two worthy guides: Drs Uta and Chris Firth. Don’t let the idea of a comic book put you off as this is an ebook densely packed with psychological theories of how we interact with other human beings.

I was particularly interested in the research that Dr Uta Firth conducted in autism becoming an expert in the field. I have quite a few friends who fall onto the autistic spectrum, so that part of the book really helped me understand where some of my friends are coming from.

I wouldn’t call this book an easy read, in fact, it will take a lot of your …

When I first picked this book to review, I was fooled by the title of “Two Heads” as I thought it was going to discuss the theory of right brain versus left brain.

Instead, I was treated to a really interesting voyage through experimental psychology with two worthy guides: Drs Uta and Chris Firth. Don’t let the idea of a comic book put you off as this is an ebook densely packed with psychological theories of how we interact with other human beings.

I was particularly interested in the research that Dr Uta Firth conducted in autism becoming an expert in the field. I have quite a few friends who fall onto the autistic spectrum, so that part of the book really helped me understand where some of my friends are coming from.

I wouldn’t call this book an easy read, in fact, it will take a lot of your concentration to follow some of the theories presented. But if your interest lies within the realm of psychology, you will definitely find it worth your while.

[Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the advanced ebook copy in exchange for my honest and objective opinion which I have given here.]