Review by Choice Review
This highly regarded compendium assessing the current state of the cognitive neurosciences contains all new material in its fourth edition (3rd ed., CH, Sep'05, 43-0626; 1st ed., CH, Jun'95, 32-5931). Written by 16 section editors and 205 contributors, the book has 89 chapters presented in 11 sections: "Development and Evolution," "Plasticity," "Attention," "Sensation and Perception," "Motor Systems," "Memory," "Language," "The Emotional and Social Brain," "Higher Cognitive Functions," "Consciousness," and "Perspectives." Each chapter provides a thorough summary of its topic, black-and-white figures, and an extensive reference list. One minor criticism is the location and relatively limited number of color figures; a mere 101 color plates (for 89 chapters) are situated in the center of the book. Nevertheless, the sections are logically organized, and the text is clearly, albeit dryly, written by recognized experts in this ever-expanding field. This new edition reinforces the work's position as the benchmark resource for the cognitive neurosciences. As a bonus and in recognition of the growing expectation for electronic information exchange, the book purchase includes a free individual subscription to MIT CogNet , an online resource for brain and cognitive science researchers ($195 annual value). Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals. C. L. Iwema University of Pittsburgh
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
