The man who wasn't there: investigations into the strange new science of the self

A faint-of-heart hypochondriac might wish to give Ananthaswamy's book a wide berth, but others should find it quite fascinating. From the man who insisted that he was brain dead (despite walking, talking, eating, and taking the bus) to autism, Alzheimer's, something called body integrity identity disorder (read the book), and more, Ananthaswamy demonstrates how what is perceived as the self can wiggle all over the map. Even though Descartes pretty much believed he had that little item all sewn up, new technology has ripped that notionapart. Seems things were simple in olden days because anybody with identity issues that exceeded the norm was considered mentally ill and was thus discounted. However, today scientists and philosophers regard nearly every iteration of self as equally relevant to the discussion. Turns out that the subject of just where the self resides (if it even still resides at all, as in cases of Alzheimer's), and whether it's in mind, body, or some combination of both, is heady stuff.--Chavez, Donna Copyright 2015 Booklist

Veteran stage actor Ruiz delivers a smooth and pleasant rendition of science writer Ananthaswamy's examination of human consciousness and the self. As Ananthaswamy sheds light on the nuances of self-awareness and its philosophical and moral implications, Ruiz gives a straightforward, occasionally lackluster reading of the demanding scholarly material. Such issues as autism and Alzheimer's disease work their way into the narrative, and the information holds value for those with a more general interest in matters the brain. Yet Ruiz doesn't offer the tremendous range of the many personality quirks and temperaments presented in Ananthaswamy's research. His approach as narrator seems a bit detached from the emotional experiences tied to personal identity. The result certainly won't disappoint fans of journalistic medical reporting like the kind found on public radio, but more casual listeners may be a bit disengaged at points. A Dutton hardcover. (Aug.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Ananthaswamy (The Edge of Physics) here discusses what constitutes the self though examples of how the concept of self is maintained in cases of neurological issues such as schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, and other disorders. He reviews various concepts of what the self is (from inside and outside of the brain) through interesting and engaging tales of individuals and experiences. This type of content is very popular right now, and the author's work has been compared to that of Oliver Sacks. The audiobook is read by Rene Ruiz. Verdict A welcome addition to the works on neuro-science for nonexperts. It will be of particular appeal to those who are intrigued by what sets each of us apart as individuals.-Eric D. Albright, Tufts Hirsh Health Sciences Lib., Boston © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Psychology and philosophy intersect in a study of mental states that raises the question of what we refer to when we say "myself." Ananthaswamy (The Edge of Physics, 2010, etc.) based this book on interviews with neuroscientists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and a number of people who experience a range of mental conditions that include Alzheimer's, autism, and schizophrenia. Each of these involves a departure from what we think of as normal consciousness; with Alzheimer's, for example, the loss of memory can be equated to the erasure of much of what makes the victim a distinct individual. Many schizophrenics report that their actions are directed by someone outside themselves. More interestingly, Ananthaswamy looks at victims of several less-familiar conditions, such as Cotard's syndrome, in which the patient believes they are dead, or victims of body integrity identity disorder, in which the patient seeks to have a body part amputated because it "doesn't belong to them." A network has sprung up to connect BIID patients with surgeons who will remove the offending limb; the author interviewed several who had the operation, and from their reports, it ended their distress. A different perspective on the nature of the self comes from those who report out-of-body experiences. For some of these conditions, researchers have studied brain scans to determine what regions of the brain are involved. Ananthaswamy also spends a fair amount of time on theoretical discussions of the nature of selfhood, which does little to shed light on the issues at stake. Perhaps more useful are literary connections, such as discussions of Dostoyevsky's portrayal of ecstatic epilepsy, Aldous Huxley's use of psychedelics, and Buddhist texts that raise the question of what the self is. But the main portions of the book are accounts of the experiences of specific patients, intriguing and disturbing at the same time. A provocative examination of deep questionsnot easy reading but worth sticking with, if only for the fascinating case studies. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

A faint-of-heart hypochondriac might wish to give Ananthaswamy's book a wide berth, but others should find it quite fascinating. From the man who insisted that he was brain dead (despite walking, talking, eating, and taking the bus) to autism, Alzheimer's, something called body integrity identity disorder (read the book), and more, Ananthaswamy demonstrates how what is perceived as the self can wiggle all over the map. Even though Descartes pretty much believed he had that little item all sewn up, new technology has ripped that notionapart. Seems things were simple in olden days because anybody with identity issues that exceeded the norm was considered mentally ill and was thus discounted. However, today scientists and philosophers regard nearly every iteration of self as equally relevant to the discussion. Turns out that the subject of just where the "self" resides (if it even still resides at all, as in cases of Alzheimer's), and whether it's in mind, body, or some combination of both, is heady stuff. Copyright 2014 Booklist Reviews.

Science journalist Ananthaswamy (The Edge of Physics) skillfully inspects the bewildering connections among brain, body, mind, self, and society. To get into the details, he profiles sufferers of a range of neurological ailments, including Allen, whose Alzheimer disease has "scrambled his narrative," and the pseudonymous David, who has body integrity identity disorder and believes that he must have his leg amputated. Laurie, a schizophrenic, struggles with inner voices that taunt her and lead her to attempt suicide; she begs doctors to recognize the "unwanted new reality" that schizophrenia creates for people. Readers also meet James, who, because of his Asperger's syndrome, can't accommodate "people's notions of how he should live his life," and Graham, a Cotard's syndrome sufferer whose delusion convinced him that he was brain dead. These patients' stories help shed light on "some sliver of the self, one that has been disturbed by the disorder," and complicate current notions of what the self really is. Readers will be fascinated by Ananthaswamy's chronicles as he explores, with kindness and keen intelligence, the uncomfortable aberrations that reveal what it is to be human. Agent: Peter Tallack, the Science Factory. (Aug.)