A comprehensive guide to a broad undergraduate subject. Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain is divided into twenty-four chapters, covering everything from the foundations of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology through to the complexities of memory and the neuroscience behind behaviour. This book boasts a number of excellent features. The diagrams are clear and colourful, with appropriate annotation and explanation.

"Key Terms" boxes (which list page references for each important term) and self-review questions are found at the end of each chapter. To me, however, the most valuable features are the numerous

"Of Special Interest" boxes, which serve to reawaken the weary reader. Examples of subjects discussed include:

"The Frontal Lobotomy";

"The Longest All-Nighter" (sleep deprivation); and

"Walking, Talking, and Screaming in Your Sleep". My particular favourite is

"The Amazing Case of Phineas Gage" - a man who survived (though with interesting personality changes) an incident in which a 6kg tamping rod was driven through his skull and left frontal lobe. In terms of style, while Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain is not as concise as other texts in this field, it is easy to follow - the authors deliver the information with enough enthusiasm to keep readers interested. Originally, this book was written to accompany a neuroscience degree offered by an American university. For this reason it covers the subject to a level of detail which is perhaps beyond the requirements of most medical students. However, for those students with a particular interest in neuroscience, those undertaking a special study module or planning to study for an intercalated degree, this textbook is an ideal instrument to aid progression from the basics to the complexities of a challenging subject.;-- Richard Walter, 4th Year Medicine, Southampton University, 03/01/01