Product Description
“A stunning book.”—Oliver Sacks Charting the intellectual history of the emerging biology of mind, Eric R. Kandel illuminates how behavioral psychology, cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and molecular biology have converged into a powerful new science of mind. This science now provides nuanced insights into normal mental functioning and disease, and simultaneously opens pathways to more effective healing. Driven by vibrant curiosity, Kandel’s personal quest to understand memory is threaded throughout this absorbing history. Beginning with his childhood in Nazi-occupied Vienna, In Search of Memory chronicles Kandel’s outstanding career from his initial fascination with history and psychoanalysis to his groundbreaking work on the biological process of memory, which earned him the Nobel Prize. A deft mixture of memoir and history, modern biology and behavior, In Search of Memory traces how a brilliant scientist’s intellectual journey intersected with one of the great scientific endeavors of the twentieth century: the search for the biological basis of memory. .

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 5.0 based on 57 reviews)

A Captivating Book About the Cellular Mechanisms Underlying Short-term and Long-term Memory by Alice Chan

5 Stars
September 27, 2009
Overall Opinion: "In Search of Memory" by Eric Kandel is an engaging read that covers a wide variety of topics from the beginnings of neuroscience to extraordinary breakthroughs in the field of molecular biology. I purchased this book with the intention of learning about the mechanisms that give rise to short-term and long-term memory but was happily surprised to find that it contained so much more than that. I found "In Search of Memory" fascinating, humorous at times, and thorough; in this review, I hope to persuade others to read this exceptional book. Synopsis: Kandel begins his narrative by describing his vivid memory of the night the Gestapo raided his house; he would later come to realize that this incident occurred during Kristallnacht, or the "Night of Broken Glass," where devastating, anti-Semitic riots took place in Germany and Austria in November 1938. Kandel notes that even more than 60 years later, he can recall every detail and emotion he was experiencing at the moment. It is these events which prompted his later remarkable scientific work: how processes in the brain enable us to store memories. Before describing his life's work on memory, Kandel provides an excellent overview of how discoveries made in the 20th century have contributed to our body of knowledge concerning the nervous system and have shaped neuroscience into the discipline it is today. We learn about Santiago Ramón y Cajal, whose pivotal observations regarding the structure and function of neurons comprise the neuron doctrine, or the theory of neural organization fundamental to our understanding of the brain. Subsequent topics of discussion include the generation and propagation of action potentials, the resting membrane potential of a neuron, synaptic transmission between two neurons through the release of neurotransmitters, and other signaling mechanisms. To study how memory is stored in the brain, Kandel decided to take a reductionist approach by examining cells that participate in the memory storage process. Given the limited technology and knowledge of the brain's neural circuits at the time, he realized it would be exceedingly difficult to understand how memory is stored in neuronal networks using the hippocampus of a mammal as an experimental model. Thus, he concluded that Aplysia, a large sea snail, would be the most suitable animal for his experiments because of its simple nervous system; most of the snail's large cells are assembled in clusters (ganglia) that contain a relatively small amount of cells dedicated to simple reflex responses, making it possible for scientists to isolate a single, simple behavior to analyze. Using Aplysia as an experimental model, Kandel and his colleagues eventually discovered the cellular mechanisms that give rise to short-term and long-term memory. Learning results in short-term memory because it generates temporary alterations in the strength of the synaptic connections between neurons. In order for short-term memory to be converted to long-term memory, gene transcription must occur to maintain long-lasting synaptic changes. After achieving such success with Aplysia, Kandel decided to examine higher cognitive processes, such as explicit memory in the hippocampus of the mammalian brain. In particular, he wished to study whether long-term potentiation, a phenomenon that promotes synaptic strengthening in the hippocampus, is analogous to the mechanisms of long-term facilitation he discovered in Aplysia. Although he found that there are several differences between the two processes, he notes that vertebrate and invertebrate animals share several vital cellular mechanisms of memory. Kandel then turned his attention to age-related memory loss in Alzheimer's disease and found that this long-term memory deficit involves the hippocampus. In addition, he noticed that aging coincides with a loss of synapses that release dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is critical to long-term potentiation. Memory Pharmaceuticals, a biotechnology company of which Kandel was a co-founder, currently develops drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease as well as several other memory dysfunctions that accompany other mental illnesses. "In Search of Memory" concludes with Kandel's pondering where neuroscience is heading in the years ahead; he believes that understanding how complex cognitive functions will require scientists to move from the study of elementary processes (single cells and proteins) to the level of the neural circuit. Finally, he mentions several questions he wishes to answer, including how selective attention guides the stabilization of memory in the brain and the relation between conscious and unconscious processing in the human brain. Review What appealed to me about "In Search of Memory" is Kandel's use of vivid detail to describe not only his own scientific work but also the revolutionary discoveries made by pioneering neuroscientists of the 20th century. We learn much about the specific proteins and enzymes involved in cellular mechanisms that result in short-term and long-term memory, and we gain a solid understanding of the remarkable findings that led up to Kandel's experimentation. Although Kandel utilizes technical jargon, he takes great care to define every term so that a reader who is not familiar with neuroscience can understand the intricate topics discussed. These explanations are beneficial to the casual reader as well as an individual who is already well-versed in the subject because they serve as good refresher material. In addition, I found the extensive glossary in the back of the book to be a useful resource. One topic that I found particularly interesting is synaptic plasticity, which describes the ability of synaptic connections to change in strength. I was not aware that different types of learning result in different patterns of neural activity, each of which affects synaptic connections in a specific manner. That learning actually alters the nature of connections between neurons is remarkable to me. I believe that Kandel's illumination of the physiological mechanisms underlying learning complements descriptive psychological studies that have been conducted regarding different forms of learning and how they affect our behavior. I also enjoyed reading about how technological advances made in the second half of the 20th century propelled Kandel's research and enabled him to expand it from implicit memory in an invertebrate animal to explicit memory in the mammalian brain. Without the development of recombinant DNA and gene cloning techniques, he would not have been able to determine how the regulation of genes related to the conversion of short-term memory to long-term memory. In addition to describing the conclusions drawn from his experiments, Kandel thoroughly explains his approach to the questions he wishes to address. For example, before he discusses the details of his experimentation with Aplysia, Kandel first notes what specific questions concerning memory he would like to answer; then, he devotes an entire chapter to explaining how he chose Aplysia as an experimental model. He lists particular requirements that the chosen model must possess and then discusses how Aplysia fulfills these qualifications. I appreciated this method of writing because it provided me with insight into his thought process. Furthermore, it demonstrates how essential it is for a scientist to approach problems with a rational mindset and develop sound methods for testing hypotheses. Finally, Kandel utilizes clear, concise language that facilitates reading the complex material discussed. His writing style is fluid, and he skillfully intertwines his autobiography with the scientific information presented. It was enjoyable to read the humorous anecdotes and accounts of his personal life interspersed throughout the book. The only complaint I have is that some parts of the book are slightly repetitive. Interesting Quotes: "I would...proceed to investigate the territory of explicit memory `one cell at a time.'" This quote is the foundation of Kandel's reductionist approach to understanding the cellular mechanisms in the brain that allow us to store memories. "Day science is rational, logical, pragmatic, carried forward by precisely designed experiments...Night science, on the other hand, `is a sort of workshop of the possible, where elaborated what will become the building materials of science.'" The distinction between "day science" and "night science" is interesting; Kandel notes that initially, his study of short-term memory in Aplysia fell under the category of "night science." However, as he managed to discover the process by which learning affects the strength of synaptic connections, he believed that his studies were "day science." Conclusion: I thoroughly enjoyed reading "In Search of Memory;" Kandel's writing is clear and easy to understand. He provides a comprehensive, informative overview of how neuroscience has progressed to the discipline it is today. That Kandel was able to elucidate the cellular mechanisms underlying short-term and long-term memory is extraordinary, and reading about his progression from studying simpler types of memory to analyzing higher cognitive functions like explicit memory and consciousness is intriguing. Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning more about how the brain stores memory and does not mind reading a large volume of material.

Read, Learn, and Remember by J. Owen (San Francisco, Ca)

5 Stars
August 04, 2009
In Search of Memory is one of the best books I have read this year. It combines autobiography, with an elegant and simple explanation of scientific and neurologic materials. It also reads like a "Who's Who" of neuroscience. Eric Kandel can write, tell a tale, and give insight into a variety of topics. He detailed his personal story from being a child in Austria, leaving after Kristallnacht 1938, and finding his path in life. He explains Kristallnacht and the implications of its impact on mankind. I appreciated his inclusion of his memories as an Austrian Jewish child fleeing the country, and his return visits during his adult life where he brought his insight forward into the political realm. He wove his personal and professional stories intricately detailing his very exceptional life. For example, Dr. Kandel writes a detailed account of the events leading up to, during and after his trip to Sweden to accept the Nobel Prize, with two other colleagues, during 2000. Therein lies a great human interest story, as well as, description of international celebrity. The author shares with his reader, that he has an interest in why people do what they do, how they remember and what makes science. He writes extremely well, chronicling his journey with historical, political, psychological, and scientific backdrops. I was very impressed and impacted by the variety of photos included from his personal collection, as well as, explanatory diagrams and educational materials; an Index, Notes and Sources, and an excellent Glossary. While reading In Search of Memory, I bookmarked extensively, and kept thinking of all the people that I would give this to, as a gift. This is a superb book. I liked the quote that captured it all, in three sentences: "Few can interlace their autobiography with the evolution of a scientific paradigm. Even fewer can weave such a story seamlessly. Eric Kandel is one of these." Yadin Dudai, Nature.

Autobiography & best of all, great science by A. Panda (Guadalajara, Mexico)

5 Stars
June 22, 2009
Great journey through a lifelong search for memory starting from its molecular mechanisms in a bottom-up fashion. This autobiographical book narrates Dr. Kandel's investigations of the mechanisms of memory by analyzing a very simple neuronal system - one sensory neuron, one interneuron, one motor neuron - and how Pavlov's learning protocols (habituation, sensitization and classical conditioning) act through this system. He found that the neuronal basis for learning, namely for short term memory is chemical signalling and synaptic strengthening between neurons. Further inquiries together with new scientific discoveries in gene technology, enabled him and his team to set the foundations for our understanding of long term memory. This type of memory is not a temporary chemical state, but a true modification of the neural system by driving the formation of more active neuronal terminals and therefore more synapses and more connections between existing neurons. This is accomplished when a protein turns on a gene which in turn generates the formation of new terminals. I was a bit afraid that the book would contain little scientific explanations or that it would be oversimplified, due to its autobiographic character. However I was positively surprised to find quite the contrary. In this book you will find probably better explanations of cellular signalling (especially neuronal signalling), ion channels, membrane receptors, etc. than in many molecular biology books. (Life Itself: Exploring the Realm of the Living Cell is highly recommended). You will find equally good explanations of the most recent discoveries in genetics and gene technologies (hox genes, gene manipulation, genes as switches, the nature of "nature vs. nurture" in genetics, etc. Nature Via Nurture : Genes, Experience, and What Makes Us Human is also really good). The autobiographical part helps in three ways: 1) It gives a brief outline of the field of neurosciences during the second half of the 20th century, from the perspective of a great neuroscientist. It starts with psychoanalysis, neurology, cognitive neuroscience and finally the genetic basis of our brains, while it explains the major contributions and breakthroughs in these fields. 2) It is probably one of the best insights into the way scientists work; it narrates how the author chose the questions he wanted to answer, the choices he had to made regarding the experimental object (the animal on which he would perform his experiments, which is probably as important to success as the experiments themselves), the technological constraints and opportunities, etc. 3) It explains how gene technology firms were born and how scientists are helping to find cures and medications in these fields.

Eric Kandel by C. Leone (California, USA)

5 Stars
June 12, 2009
A-W-E-S-O-M-E ~~ What more can I say? This man is a wonderful researcher, very informative, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading his book. I will read it again, as the tests this man performed, and the way he assembled his team of researchers is just phenomenal!!

Superb scientific autobiography by Librum (CA, USA)

5 Stars
April 22, 2009
To the midway point of ISoM, more or less, Kandel weaves together elements of his personal story with the elements of his professional development. The weaving is done ably and interestingly. After the midway point, Kandel more or less abandons the conceit of writing autobiography and focuses almost exclusively on the science. ISoM is, especially from then on, quite a challenging read. But it richly rewards a reader's efforts. One of the top reviewers on this page calls ISoM something like 'candy for science types'. I'd say that's just right. It doesn't get more fascinating than the science that is at the core of ISoM. Kandel is a deeply learned and infectiously enthusiastic guide to the New Science of Mind. I wish more scientists of his stature would publish their own scientific autobiographies. Kandel has done the thinking public a great service. A terrific read!

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