In search of memory The emergence of a new science of mind

What was life like growing up Jewish in Nazi-controlled Vienna? How does your brain form and retain memories, and who are the giants in neuroscience whose work unraveled these mysteries? What does it feel like to win a Nobel Prize? Answers to these seemingly disparate questions are found in In search of memory: the emergence of a new science of mind by Eric Kandel. Kandel has masterfully woven diverse themes into a beautiful tapestry that at once provides insight into his own remarkable life and career as a neuroscientist and illustrates the modern field of neuroscience in language that the nonexpert can appreciate. Kandel provides compelling reasons to believe that we can emerge from the horrors of our past by letting ourselves explore the mysteries of humanity as exemplified by his own experiences. Unlike most general interest books by scientists, In search of memory is crisp, clear, and compelling. Those who know the incredible dexterity of Kandel’s mind appreciate that each nuance in his tale is the product of careful analysis; nothing has been left to chance. The book begins with his early memories growing up in Vienna — such as the knock on the door of his family’s apartment when the Nazi soldiers came to take him and his family. His message is clear: this is a book about […]