The Amazing Brain and How to Explain It

Book review of “How to Explain a Brain: An Educator's Handbook of Brain Terms and Cognitive Processes”, by Robert Sylwester, (see record 2005–00244–000). The author does a masterful job presenting a simple but elegant picture of the landscape of the brain and related cognitive processes. Sylwester, who is currently an emeritus professor of education at the University of Oregon, explains complex issues in clear and direct prose that is sometimes startling in clarity and always refreshing to read. His stated intention for putting together this volume was to provide a resource for the typical kindergarten-12th grade (K-12) educator. According to the reviewer, the book is undoubtedly of value for K-12 faculty wanting a better grasp of the vocabulary and terminology of the cognitive neurosciences. It is also a valuable reference tool for school counselors, social workers, and school psychologists who have not been exposed to either physiological psychology or neuropsychology, as these professionals need a better working knowledge and understanding of the cognitive neurosciences to keep pace with the quickly changing neuroscience literature. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)