Title
An Odd Kind of Fame: Stories of Phineas Gage,Used
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In 1848 a railway construction worker named Phineas Gage suffered an accident that made him a major curiosity of medicine and a significant figure in psychology and neuroscience: an explosion caused a tamping iron to be blown completely through his head, destroying the left frontal lobe of his brain. Gage survived the accident and remained in reasonable physical health for another eleven years. But his behavior changed markedly after the injury, and his case is considered to be the first to reveal the relation between the brain and complex personality characteristics. Yet almost nothing is known about him, and most of what is written is seriously in error.In this book Malcolm Macmillan, a leading authority on Gage, covers all aspects of this fascinating story. He describes Gage's family and personal background, the context of his work and the accident, and Gage's subsequent history. He analyzes contemporary medical and newspaper reports of the accident and its consequences, and evaluates the treatment Gage received from Dr. John Martyn Harlow. He also looks at Harlow's own life and work. Macmillan examines Gage's place in the history of how functions came to be localized in the brain. He explores the many ways that Gage's tale has been represented and misrepresented through the years in popular, fictional, and scientific works. One of Macmillan's primary aims is to rescue the case from the predominantly fantastic accounts so that its real contribution to modern neuroscience can be understood. Partly for this reason, the appendices include facsimiles of Harlow's 1848 and 1868 reports, the primary sources about Gage, and previously unpublished CT scans of Gage's skull made in 1982.
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This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Q: What is the main subject of 'An Odd Kind of Fame: Stories of Phineas Gage'? A: The book focuses on Phineas Gage, a railway construction worker who survived a severe brain injury in 1848. It explores his life, the accident, the changes in his behavior, and his significance in psychology and neuroscience.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author of 'An Odd Kind of Fame' is Malcolm Macmillan, a recognized authority on Phineas Gage.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: 'An Odd Kind of Fame' is available in paperback binding.
- Q: How many pages are in this book? A: The book contains 575 pages.
- Q: What condition is the book in? A: The book is listed as being in good condition.
- Q: When was 'An Odd Kind of Fame' published? A: The book was published on August 7, 2002.
- Q: What topics does the book cover regarding Gage's life? A: The book covers Gage's personal background, the context of his accident, his medical treatment, and how his case contributed to our understanding of the brain's functions.
- Q: Are there any primary sources included in the book? A: Yes, the book includes facsimiles of contemporary reports by Dr. John Martyn Harlow and previously unpublished CT scans of Gage's skull.
- Q: Does the book address misconceptions about Phineas Gage? A: Yes, one of the author's aims is to clarify and correct the many myths surrounding Gage's case and highlight its true contributions to neuroscience.
- Q: What is the target audience for this book? A: The book is ideal for readers interested in psychology, neuroscience, and the historical significance of Phineas Gage's case.