From the moment our brains form, we are constantly processing information and reflecting on the world around us. Even Ackerman can only scratch the surface of how the human brain evolved.Īckerman explains that the brain’s key skill is reflection. We think we know a lot about neuroscience, but the reality is that we know virtually nothing about the brain. She reflects on how the brain is as complex as an entire universe and yet we take it for granted.
In the first section, “Miracle Waters: Evolution,” Ackerman describes how the human brain evolved from its unsophisticated origins to the complex creation that it is now. Just as the brain is an organ with scientific functions, it is also miraculous, creative, illogical, and awe-inspiring Ackerman aims to capture this complexity in her writing. The book both explores the scientific origins of the brain and how it evolved over time, and the ecstatic feelings and emotions that our minds allow us to feel.
An Alchemy of Mind is a celebration of the brain and all it makes possible. Critics applaud Ackerman’s unusual talent for writing nonfiction using literary, poetic prose that appeals to a wide audience. An international bestselling author of fiction and nonfiction, Ackerman, best known for her award-winning book, The Zookeeper’s Wife, has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize many times. The book received an overwhelmingly positive reception from critical reviewers and readers alike. First published in 2004, the book aims to illuminate the mysteries of the human mind by bridging the gap between science and art. An Alchemy of Mind: The Marvel and Mystery of the Brain is a unique work of literary nonfiction by Diane Ackerman.
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