Unique

“A master at explaining tricky concepts, David Linden has pulled together impressive strands of radical research from genetics to sexuality to our food selection, peppered with amusing anecdotes. We may know who we are, but we should be more conscious of judging others. This book will provoke a fruitful debate.”–György Buzsaki, author of The Brain from Inside Out“A sturdy, scientifically grounded, and anecdotally engaging study of the factors that shape us.”–Kirkus“Bucking the currents of predetermination arising from personal genomics and biomarkers, David Linden examines the most fascinating aspect of biology – everyone is different. Read Linden’s book to learn how and why we are all unique.”–R.Douglas Fields, author of Electric Brain“I’m not average, and neither are you. In a fascinating new book, Linden explains how we become our individual selves – leaving behind the stale concept of ‘nature versus nurture’ to reveal a recipe based on a broad range of experiences and predispositions, spiced with a dash of just plain luck. Informative and fun to read!”–Sandra Aamodt, author of Welcome to Your Brain“Linden neither falters nor apologizes… . That’s the kind of clarity we need more of in popular science books like this.”–New York Times Book Review“Linden takes us on a colorful journey through our dreams, memories, and senses, exploring how social experience and genes interact to shape each of us as individual human beings. Along the way he combines personal stories, real world analogies, current scientific research, and his own insights to confront the challenging topics of race, sex, gender, and intelligence. A thoughtful, fresh and enjoyable look at ourselves.”–Robin Lester, professor of neurobiology at University of Alabama at Birmingham“Very welcome”.–Clare Wilson, New Scientist

David J. Linden is a professor of neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where his lab studies memory storage and recovery of function after brain injury. He is the author of three previous books: Touch, The Accidental Mind, and The Compass of Pleasure. He lives in Baltimore, Maryland.