The Tale of the Dueling Neurosurgeons

The History of the Human Brain as Revealed by True Stories of Trauma, Madness, and Recovery

By: Sam Kean

Narrated by: Henry Leyva

Length: 12 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

The author of the best seller The Disappearing Spoon reveals the secret inner workings of the brain through strange-but-true stories.

Early studies of the human brain used a simple method: Wait for misfortune to strike - strokes, seizures, infectious diseases, horrendous accidents - and see how victims coped. In many cases their survival was miraculous, if puzzling. Observers were amazed by the transformations that took place when different parts of the brain were destroyed, altering victims' personalities. Parents suddenly couldn't recognize their own children. Pillars of the community became pathological liars. Some people couldn't speak but could still sing.

In The Tale of the Dueling Neurosurgeons, Sam Kean travels through time with stories of neurological curiosities: Phantom limbs, Siamese twin brains, viruses that eat patients' memories, blind people who see through their tongues. He weaves these narratives together to create a story of discovery that reaches back to the 1500s and the high-profile jousting accident that inspired this book's title.* With the lucid, masterful explanations and razor-sharp wit his fans have come to expect, Kean explores the brain's secret passageways and recounts the forgotten tales of the ordinary people whose struggles, resilience, and deep humanity made neuroscience possible.

*"The Tale of the Dueling Neurosurgeons" refers to the case of French king Henri II, who in 1559 was lanced through the skull during a joust, resulting in one of the most significant cases in neuroscience history. For hundreds of years scientists have gained important lessons from traumatic accidents and illnesses, and such misfortunes still represent their greatest resource for discovery.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2014 Sam Kean (P)2014 Hachette Audio

An amazing book. Epic and enthralling.

This is Sam Keens third book based on the history of biological sciences. I thoroughly enjoyed every second of this novel. I highly recommend it to anyone with a scientists mind.

Finally, I recommend you read this book at 1.5 speed.

Excellent!!

I'm so entertained by this book, I recommend it to anyone who thinks they might be interested!

Wonderfully told!

i could not put down this audiobook. It is a charming way to teach us abiut the mysteries of humans and other life forms.

Sam Kean is great story teller

I love all Sam Kean’s books, this one is as good as the others if not better

Outstanding!!

What made the experience of listening to The Tale of the Dueling Neurosurgeons the most enjoyable?

There are very few books that merit a 5 star rating. There are even fewer narrations of books that deserve 5 star ratings. This book is that delicious juxtaposition of incredible narration and tight, well-paced writing.

What did you like best about this story?

I disliked that it ended so soon. I also wish the author had delved further into some of the cases to give the reader a deeper glimpse into the patients' regular lives

What about Henry Leyva’s performance did you like?

Excellent, well-paced narration. Neither breathy nor dramatic, Mr Leyva imparted just the right gravitas for the subject matter.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Other than a documentary, this book wouldn't translate into film.

Any additional comments?

This author and narrator have an excellent thing going. I hope they work together in future, and that the author write more on this topic. The author makes the subject matter accessible to regular minds like mine.

Do not listen while eating

Interesting history, graphically gruesome. Many cringeworthy moments. Reviews require fifteen words minimum so I'm still typing.

Another great one by Sam Kean

Sam Kean has a real knack for making what should be incomprehensible clear and relatable. Fascinating and thought provoking - highly recommend this book for anyone interested in medicine or the Hunan condition.

Excellent essays on the brain

From "kings to assassins" -- each chapter charts a different part of the brain with intriguing discoveries.

Great book and great reading

Very well done in all respects. Great listen, very interesting and well read. I highly recommend it.

Narrator was great!

Narrator was great! Didn't fall asleep! The book was very interesting and memorable! There were so many stories and structural explanation, it all made sense!