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A review by scott_froggers
We Are Our Brains: From the Womb to Alzheimer's by Dick Swaab
5.0
This is by far the non-fiction book I've learnt the most from, that has genuinely changed my outlook on countless subjects in life. However, I do not agree with Swaab completely.
This book covers a plethora of material, discussing how aspects of the brain work, to how these aspects manifest themselves in our society. From law to gender, this book is perfectly clear about it all and presents well-researched facts. This book is also quite engaging to read, since Swaab includes numerous interesting stories about his past patients, or just general stories you will be shocked not to have heard of before.
However, I do take one issue with this book. Swaab often seems to imply that the strong influence our brain development has on our actions means that it's pointless to take action on particular social influences. To take an example, he said that it is false that the appearance of 'stick-thin models' is responsible for cases of anorexia. He goes on to say that efforts to try and prevent disorders such as anorexia from being viewed positively are pointless, under the argument that it's entirely due to genetic factors and brain development. This seems like an arrogant conclusion to draw based on his acknowledgement of the efficacy of therapy for other psychiatric disorders, which are mostly social in nature. Besides, a poor social environment for a predisposed anorexic (to take a single example) would only express the disorder earlier than in a helpful social environment.
I accept that Swaab is trying to point out the damage caused by the social engineering mindset in the 60s and 70s that still pervades today's society. I agree with him, but in this book full of facts Swaab presents a strong opinion that he might not be qualified to make. It would be more appropriate if he referenced the studies he might've based it on. He makes many other opinions like this throughout the book, which is quite dangerous. Keep in mind, this book was also written in 2014, and that can make a difference when it comes to scientific research.
Overall, I absolutely recommend this book, and it is by far the greatest non-fiction book I've ever read. I don't say that lightly either. It has changed my attitude to how I think on a daily basis, and my reactions to the actions of myself and others.
I will certainly donate my brain to the Netherlands Brain Bank too.
This book covers a plethora of material, discussing how aspects of the brain work, to how these aspects manifest themselves in our society. From law to gender, this book is perfectly clear about it all and presents well-researched facts. This book is also quite engaging to read, since Swaab includes numerous interesting stories about his past patients, or just general stories you will be shocked not to have heard of before.
However, I do take one issue with this book. Swaab often seems to imply that the strong influence our brain development has on our actions means that it's pointless to take action on particular social influences. To take an example, he said that it is false that the appearance of 'stick-thin models' is responsible for cases of anorexia. He goes on to say that efforts to try and prevent disorders such as anorexia from being viewed positively are pointless, under the argument that it's entirely due to genetic factors and brain development. This seems like an arrogant conclusion to draw based on his acknowledgement of the efficacy of therapy for other psychiatric disorders, which are mostly social in nature. Besides, a poor social environment for a predisposed anorexic (to take a single example) would only express the disorder earlier than in a helpful social environment.
I accept that Swaab is trying to point out the damage caused by the social engineering mindset in the 60s and 70s that still pervades today's society. I agree with him, but in this book full of facts Swaab presents a strong opinion that he might not be qualified to make. It would be more appropriate if he referenced the studies he might've based it on. He makes many other opinions like this throughout the book, which is quite dangerous. Keep in mind, this book was also written in 2014, and that can make a difference when it comes to scientific research.
Overall, I absolutely recommend this book, and it is by far the greatest non-fiction book I've ever read. I don't say that lightly either. It has changed my attitude to how I think on a daily basis, and my reactions to the actions of myself and others.
I will certainly donate my brain to the Netherlands Brain Bank too.