Cajal on the Cerebral Cortex: An Annotated Translation of the Complete Writings(1 History of Neuroscience)

The first English-language publication of the complete works of the great Spanish neurohistologist, Santiago Ramon y Cajal, on the cerebral cortex. "It is amazing to read Cajal so many years after the original publication and find that despite all the technical advances he is still fresh, readable, accurate, and valuable. To have the English translation done by two neuroscientists, one of whom is a native speaker of Spanish, is the best of possible worlds. We have had to wait a long time for this book, and many will feel that they must have it." --Dr. Pasko Rakic, Yale University School of Medicine

Table of Contents:
I: The Early Period (1890-1894). Studies on Small Mammals II: An Interlude (1896-1897). Methylene Blue and the Special Cells of Layer I III: The Middle Period (1899-1901). The Great Works on the Human Cortex IV: The Years of Consolidation (1904-1911). The Textura and the Histologie V: The Final Years (1921-1935). The Cat and the Rodents, The Return to the Neuron Doctrine VI: A Modern View

Review :
"This book is more than an accurate and chronological account of Cajal's contributions to our understanding of the structural organization of the cerebral cortex. It is filled with many of Cajal's original concepts and interpretations on the nature of the nervous system. It describes when and how many of his remarkable discoveries were made, and narrates anecdotally colorful points of interest....It often utilizes with simplicity and elegance Cajal's own words to describe his thoughts and concepts....The book, at the end, summarizes our present organizational conception of the cerebral cortex, reflecting how much we have taken from, and still owe, to Cajal's original contributions."--Miguel Marin-Padilla, M.D., Dartmouth Medical School "It is amazing to read Cajal so many years after the original publication and find that despite all the technical advances he is still fresh, readable, accurate, and valuable. To have the English translation done by two neuroscientists, one of whom is a native speaker of Spanish, is the best of possible worlds. We have had to wait a long time for this book, and many will feel that they must have it."--Dr. Pasko Rakic, Yale University School of Medicine "The papers, lectures, and book chapters give the student a chance to follow the development of an astute, careful and absolutely honest observer as he increases his skills, learns from his mistakes, enlarges his understanding. This is a rare opportunity."--Nature "In this important book all the publications of Ramon y Cajal that include details of the cerebral cortex have been retranslated, Cajal's illustrations presented, and the material commented on and brought up-to-date....It is very valuable to have all the information and drawings of Cajal's work on the cerebral cortex brought together in one volume."--International Journal of Biochemistry "Provides for the first time English translations of all Cajal's work on the cerebral cortex. DeFelipe and Jones are to be congratulated on an outstanding book, which is not only an excellent testimony to the remarkable, pioneering endeavors of Cajal, but also germane to modern researchers....Strongly recommended to neuroscientists as well as to those who are primarily concerned with the historical origins of neurohistology."--Bulletin of the History of Medicine "Fascinating...Should be in every neuroscience library and students should be encouraged to read it, if only to understand how much valuable information may be discovered by meticulous observation."--Journal of Anatomy "A fascinating insight into the structure of Cajal's thinking and ideas...A most valuable contribution to the study of the history of the nervous system. The authors have made available a major segment of Cajal's work in a competent translation along with scholarly comment on its significance. The book is essential reading for anyone interested in the origins of modern neuroscience."--Medical History "A great treasure...It reads almost as a modern bestseller of a mystery or detective novel, where one of the greatest stories of scientific discovery unfolds before our eyes...Should be on the bookshelves of every institution and individual engaged in the study of the neurosciences."--Neuroscience