It has been remarked that if the brain were so simple we could understand it, we would be so simple we couldn't. However, as the authors of this accessible guide demonstrate, there are at least some things we do understand about the brain, and this knowedge can shed new light on our conception of ourselves and the workings of our minds. Covering crude ancient neuroscience, sleep, language and even philosophical questions about the nature of consciousness, this lively and entertaining introduction assumes no previous scientific knowledge and will fascinate readers of all backgrounds.

Ammar Al-Chalabi is Honorary Honorary Consultant Neurologist at King's College Hospital and Senior Lecturer in Neurology and Complex Disease Genetics at King's College London.

Section 1 : Introducing the Brain

Section 2: making a brain and mind from a single cell

Section 3 : Having and using a brain as an adult