The Hand

How Its Use Shapes the Brain, Language, and Human Culture

Frank R. Wilson

Recommended By

Book Reviews

Book Synopsis

"The Hand" by Frank R. Wilson is a captivating exploration of the human hand's complex significance and the profound impact it has on our evolution, creativity, and intellect. Wilson, a neurologist and artist, delves into the intertwined elements of biology, psychology, and artistry to uncover the mesmerizing story of this remarkable limb.

Wilson argues that the hand, with its intricate blend of dexterity and sensitivity, has played a crucial role throughout human history. Our ability to manipulate objects with precision has enabled the development of tools, language, and even abstract thinking. It is through our hands that we have shaped the world around us and transmitted our cultural heritage. Wilson's research highlights the pivotal role of the hand in cultural and scientific advancements.

In addition, Wilson examines the connection between the brain and the hand, unraveling the complex sensory and motor processes that govern hand movements. He explores the unique capabilities of the hand, from delicate fine motor skills to the power and strength of grip, shedding light on the remarkable coordination between mind and hand in executing intricate tasks.

"The Hand" also delves into the experiences of individuals who have suffered hand impairments and the astonishing adaptability of the brain. Wilson's compassionate and insightful examination of these cases reveals the extraordinary ways in which people can overcome adversity and relearn essential tasks, demonstrating the hand's incredible capacity for flexibility and resilience.

With its thought-provoking exploration of the hand's multifaceted role in shaping human evolution, language, and creativity, "The Hand" appeals to readers interested in neuroscience, anthropology, and the arts. Wilson's expertise in both science and art leads to a rich and thought-provoking examination of this unique appendage, ultimately illuminating the magnificence and significance of one of our most extraordinary features.

Explore More Books

See All
The New Leadership Literacies
Healing
Foundation and Earth
Clocks and Culture
The Rosie Project
My Stroke of Insight
The Last Lion
The Odyssey
Faraday, Maxwell, and the Electromagnetic Field
Beyond Religion
Prepared
Getting Better
Setting The Table
Eating to Extinction
No Filter
Limitless
Mountains Beyond Mountains
How Asia Works
The Journey of Crazy Horse
Siddhartha
Harvesting the Biosphere
The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind
A Matter of Degrees
Systems Medicine
Democracy In America
The Fear Book
The Razor's Edge
On Drugs
Liberating Learning
Contrarian Investment Strategies
Farmer's Progress
Your Dad Stole My Rake
The Conquest of Gaul
Wild
Justice on Trial
A Hall of Mirrors
Slow Sex
An Everyone Culture
The Feynman Lectures on Physics
Trick Mirror
The Death and Life of Great American Cities
The Captive Mind
The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need
The Vital Question
Silently Seduced
The Story of Civilization
Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World
The Fear Factor
Jesse Livermore - Boy Plunger
Conspiracy of Fools
Super Mind
Thus Spoke the Plant
Einstein's Dreams
Representing Talent
If I Could Tell You Just One Thing
Good Calories, Bad Calories
Catch-22
Bad Blood
The Startup Community Way
Chasing Hillary
Women
Deep Learning
The Elements of Statistical Learning
Soon I Will Be Invincible
Making The Modern World
The Price of Tomorrow
The Act of Creation
BLITZ
The Mathematics of Politics
To Rule the Waves
Six Not-So-Easy Pieces
The Revolt of the Elites and the Betrayal of Democracy
Business Adventures
The City In History
Man, Economy, and State
A Good Man
Thai Stick
Explaining Social Behavior
The Oz Principle
The Story of Civilization: The Age of Louis XIV
The Fund
A Universe From Nothing
An Immense World
Intellectuals and Society
Naked Statistics
The Psychology of Intelligence Analysis
An Agricultural Testament
Deiter Rams
The Art of Manipulation
Longitude
A Cure for the Common Company
Applied Minds
Infinite Powers
The White Album
Valuation
The Unsettling of America
The Paleo Solution
We Learn Nothing
What You Do Is Who You Are
The Goal