How does the brain develop? What are the relative roles of nature and nurture? What are the most important parts of the brain, and what does each area specialise in? How do neurones work?
These are some of the questions that this accessible book sets out to answer in clear, straightforward language. The author reviews what is known today about the structure and workings of the brain, and explains what has been learned from the study of patients suffering from degenerative or accidental brain diseases. He describes in great detail some basic human activities: perceiving, acting, learning, remembering and speaking. He reviews the current state of knowledge about the various degenerative diseases and cerebral accidents.
This book will prove to be an indispensable tool for the specialist and a source of discovery for the general reader.

Michel Imbert, a neurophysiologist and specialist in the cognitive sciences, is a director of studies at the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales.