13 Neuroscience books for beginners

The neurosciences They are a tremendously fruitful field of study that, in addition, addresses many issues of our day to day life. The point that joins these themes is always the same: they are based on the functioning of our brain, the nervous system in general, and its interaction with the rest of the human body.

Of course, neurosciences are also closely related to psychology, since mental processes are carried out by the brain. So, for all lovers of the study of human behavior, we present a selection of 10 neuroscience books to start learning about the human mind.

Neuroscience books to get started in the study of the mind

Below you will find a selection of recommended books to get started in the study of neurosciences.

1. The Ethical Brain, by Michael Gazzaniga

This is one of the most famous neuroscience books that Michael Gazzaniga has written, and it is not difficult to imagine why. In it, while reviewing the general functioning of the human brain, it explains how it can explain our morality and ethics, something that totally influences us in our day-to-day life and in the way in which we relate to others. the rest.

Being a great popularizer Gazzaniga, he manages to make it easy for readers to navigate through quite complex topics that have to do with biology and medicine.

• You can buy it through this link.

2. The error of Descartes, by António Damásio

Possibly the most famous book by the Portuguese neurologist António Damásio, which has quickly become a classic among neuroscience books. It explores the question of the relationship between mind and body.

Is it true that this distinction exists, or is the mind actually part of the human organism just like bones or flesh?

• Buy it here.

3. The Secret Life of the Mind, by Mariano Sigman

In this book neuroscience and experimental psychology are brought together to give a global picture of how the brain works. and other structures of the nervous system.

Although as a book on neuroscience it presents a large amount of information and all kinds of data, all of them are aimed at answering questions that have to do with everyday life and the way in which we experience life in its different slopes.

• You can buy it here.

4. The Man Who Mistook His Woman for a Hat, by Oliver Sacks

One of the best known works of the neurologist Oliver sacks, and also one of the most interesting when it comes to getting acquainted with his work. Through highly accessible and easy-to-read texts, Oliver Sacks tells stories about people whose lives changed by a change in brain function.

It is, therefore, a set of writings that talk about case studies, and not so much general statistics on how it usually works. the human mind, which means that in The Man Who Mistook His Woman for a Hat it has a series of protagonists with whom it is impossible not to empathize. A human touch that is not very often found in neuroscience books, and that is appreciated.

• You can buy it through this link.

5. Ghosts in the brain, by V. S. Ramachandran and S. Blakeslee

Vilayanur S. Ramachandran is a well known researcher as a result of his research on the phantom limbs, and in this book he provides an excellent summary of what we know about the brain and nervous system.

One of the most suitable neuroscience books for people who want to get started in the subject.

• It is a discontinued book, but you can know more about this work here.

6. In Search of Memory, by Eric Kandel

Eric Kandel is one of the most reputable scientists in the field of neurophysiology, and in this book he explores one of the topics that he has studied the most: memory, the element of our mind that makes us maintain our own identity and understand our life as a narrative.

It is one of the most complete neuroscience books and it also includes different discoveries related to all kinds of cognitive sciences.

• You can buy it here.

7. Brain and freedom, by Joaquín M. Fuster

Is our brain a machine? Is there something in us that gives us the ability to choose freely? This is a book on neuroscience, yes, but closely related to philosophy, and therefore it addresses questions that directly affect our conception of what the human being is.

An especially interesting work for people interested both in natural sciences and in philosophy and literature.

• If you want to buy it, you can do it through this link.

8. Rita Carter's New Brain Map

This is an excellent illustrated guide to the brain and all its component structures.. It shows some significant discoveries about what the brains of some people with disorders are like and even the differences between men and women at the neuroanatomical level.

One of the most recommended neuroscience books for those who like to learn through the visual.

• Buy it here.

9. The Executive Brain, by Elkhonon Goldberg

Among the functions that take place in our brain, there are some that are typical of human beings. The ability to think long-term, use language, plan complex tasks, and make decisions by choosing from an almost infinite number of options.

And it also turns out that in all these processes there is a part of the nervous system with special importance: the frontal lobe. This book talks about great discoveries that have been made about this area of ​​the brain.

• You can buy it here.

10. The universe of consciousness, by G. Edelman and G. Tononi

An old acquaintance: this book has already appeared on the list of 5 books to give a psychologist for Christmas 2014... and it is also an excellent book on neuroscience. Among its pages a highly researched topic from the philosophy of mind is explored: How is it possible that a set of cells can give rise to consciousness, which is something totally private and subjective?

Gerald Edelman and Giulio Tononi offer an overview of their ideas on this subject, and also go on to discuss some philosophical questions above. Of course, this is a read for people who already have a minimal idea about how the human brain works, and that is why we put it at the bottom of the list of neuroscience books.

• You can buy it here.

Neuroscience Manuals (for advanced readers)

So far we have reviewed ten books dedicated to neuroscience, with an informative style and for a public not necessarily learned in the matter.

Now, if you are a student of psychology, biology or medicine, and you want to delve into the study of the nervous system, We propose two very complete manuals on neuroscience.

11. Fundamentals of Neuroscience. Laboratory manual (Various authors)

A manual frequently present among the compulsory readings of the faculties of psychology and medicine in Spain. 300 pages where it is explained in a clear way how our nervous system, our brain and the biological bases of human behavior work.

• More information and purchase option in this link.

12. Cognitive Neuroscience (Diego Redolar Ripoll)

Probably the best known neuroscience manual. A true guide for neuroscience students. If your goal is to have a reference guide, this is the work that should not be missing in your personal library.

• Buy it here.

13. What is intelligence? (various authors)

This book offers a review of one of the most important concepts in the world of psychology and neuroscience: intelligence. Its pages talk about the different facets of this set of mental abilities, its neurobiological elements and the way in which it is investigated in this field.

It is an ideal work for people looking for an introduction to this area.

One more book: Psychologically Speaking (Adrián Triglia, Bertrand Regader and Jonathan García-Allen)

It is not a book on neuroscience strictly speaking, but a course on the science of behavior for all audiences. If you want to discover many mysteries of the human mind, this work must be in your personal library.

• You can buy it here.