The Beginning of Life: How the Brain Shapes Us

By the time babies are born, their brains are already equipped with a hundred billion carefully crafted neurons. These neurons are interconnected with trillions of connections, forming a compact and efficient supercomputer. As a pioneer of experimental neurobiology, William Harris answered important questions about brain development in describing how the human brain is built, and made many exciting discoveries and scientific breakthroughs, providing a broader perspective and deeper insights into our understanding of the formation of the human brain. He weaves a compelling evolutionary story, revealing the primordial moments when multicellular organisms first emerged from single-celled organisms, and how the development of the fetal brain over nine months reflects the evolution of the brain through every stage of life. Harris takes a unique look at the similarities between our brains and those of other animals, illustrating the importance of comparative animal research in understanding how the human brain has become a symbol of our identity. This book is a revelation about how the human brain is built and developed. Observing the human brain through the lens of its development and evolutionary origins can make it easier for us to understand the steps and basic principles involved in the brain building process, and give us a richer understanding of the innate characteristics of humans.