Sandra Blakeslee Books

`Phantoms in The Brain' takes a revolutionary new approach to theories of the brain, from one of the world's leading experimental neurologists.

A landmark study of the long-term impact of divorce explores its effects on children into adulthood, marriage, and their own parenthood, revealing how they cope with their own fear of failure in relationships.

From the inventor of the PalmPilot comes a groundbreaking theory of intelligence, brain function, and the future of intelligent machines. Jeff Hawkins, creator of the PalmPilot and Treo smartphone, aims to transform our understanding of both neuroscience and computing. He presents a compelling theory of how the human brain operates, arguing that computers lack true intelligence. Instead, Hawkins posits that the brain functions as a memory system, storing experiences in a manner that mirrors the world's structure. This system remembers sequences of events and their relationships, allowing for predictions based on past experiences. It is this memory-prediction mechanism that underpins intelligence, perception, creativity, and consciousness. In an engaging manner, Hawkins appeals to a wide audience, from the curious layperson to professional scientists, illustrating how a deeper understanding of brain function can lead to the creation of intelligent machines that may surpass human capabilities. Co-authored with acclaimed science writer Sandra Blakeslee, this work promises to reshape the possibilities of the technology age, offering a landmark perspective on intelligence and its implications for the future.

Based on intensive interviews with 50 couples who consider themselves happily married, this groundbreaking book by the authors of Second Chances offers an entirely fresh vision of this most complex of human relationships, explaining the psychological steps which couples must take to commit to a good marriage.

Una donna che sostiene di parlare con Dio, un atleta che ha perso il braccio ma non la sensazione di poterne disporre, un giovane coinvolto in un tragico incidente stradale convinto che i genitori siano stati sostituiti da replicanti, e ancora il caso del celebre umorista e vignettista James Thurber, colto da allucinazioni fantastiche e "sostitutive della realtà" in seguito alla progressiva perdita della vista. Ciascuno di questi disturbi patologici è il punto di partenza per indagare su quella macchina straordinaria e animata che è il cervello, nel tentativo di ricostruirne l'architettura e il funzionamento e di dare una spiegazione alle nostre predisposizioni intellettuali o pratiche, ai nostri comportamenti e stati d'animo.