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smokeyshouse's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
A doubly fascinating book: once for the depiction of amazing sense capacities of specific animals, and again for her delving in to human case studies involving those same senses. She refers a lot to Oliver Sacks, but has many other interesting subjects such as Helen Keller. It has a philosophical aspect as well, as Higgins doesn't only describe, but speculates on what that means for us.
ggmay's review against another edition
informative
reflective
5.0
An extremely interesting book, which delves deep into the science behind the different senses we and other animals possess and share. It is highly informative, while remaining accessible to those who have no prior knowledge in these fields, and is written in a very engaging way.
allisonwonderlandreads's review against another edition
informative
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
In the book world's answer to nature documentaries, Sentient seeks to make us appreciate our senses more. The author uses animals as models of each sensory world and then connects to human examples, including those who excel and those who have a disadvantage in specific senses. Direct interviews with scientists allow them to explain their work through the author as a mediator, sharing their voices while softening the more technical aspects for a layperson reader. I'll admit I'm not the best gauge of how approachable the information is. As someone who spent four years working for a sensory neurobiologist, descriptions of electrophysiology in Farraday cages stirred a sense of fond nostalgia in me. I was shocked what all still rested dormant in my memory on the topics of animal sensory worlds. The only chapter that was truly new for me on a broader scale was the one describing vampire bats as a model for pain and pleasure perception. I also was pleased by descriptions of petty scientist wars over if/how sensing magnetic fields work both because I was new to the argument and I because like when scientists get passive/massive aggressive and saucy over their conflicting theories.
Beyond the cool animal facts for their own sakes, I particularly liked descriptions of how breakthroughs in animal research make understandings of human neurobiology possible that may not have been otherwise. I also enjoyed moments when the author analyzed how language reflects a deeper comprehension of sensory perceptions and connections. I love how easily this topic veers into a philosophical discussion. How do we define a sense? How do you compare sensory worlds when it's all subjective? Etc.
My main complaint is that the book generally ignores the political and social ramifications of the research. While there is an eye on different kinds of human experience, the big picture is ignored, tacitly propping up the view that science can occur in a vacuum. Cute histories are presented of researchers investigating unique human cases in remote areas with no discussion of consent, respect for subjects, etc. One particular anecdote that particularly wound me up talks about Teddy Roosevelt "discovering" a river in Brazil. And we don't even have to (safely) assume that's not technically true since the story includes his local guides. And now the river is named after him so cool.
Anyway, this is an interesting popular science read. I can't vouch for its accessibility since people have different levels and types of science backgrounds, but I can say the author works to make the topics engaging and includes tangible examples and explanations to bring you along for the journey. The social scientist in me has some bones to pick with the discussion, but we can't have it all. Or so they tell me.
Beyond the cool animal facts for their own sakes, I particularly liked descriptions of how breakthroughs in animal research make understandings of human neurobiology possible that may not have been otherwise. I also enjoyed moments when the author analyzed how language reflects a deeper comprehension of sensory perceptions and connections. I love how easily this topic veers into a philosophical discussion. How do we define a sense? How do you compare sensory worlds when it's all subjective? Etc.
My main complaint is that the book generally ignores the political and social ramifications of the research. While there is an eye on different kinds of human experience, the big picture is ignored, tacitly propping up the view that science can occur in a vacuum. Cute histories are presented of researchers investigating unique human cases in remote areas with no discussion of consent, respect for subjects, etc. One particular anecdote that particularly wound me up talks about Teddy Roosevelt "discovering" a river in Brazil. And we don't even have to (safely) assume that's not technically true since the story includes his local guides. And now the river is named after him so cool.
Anyway, this is an interesting popular science read. I can't vouch for its accessibility since people have different levels and types of science backgrounds, but I can say the author works to make the topics engaging and includes tangible examples and explanations to bring you along for the journey. The social scientist in me has some bones to pick with the discussion, but we can't have it all. Or so they tell me.