About the book
\"Wolf restores our awe of the human brain—its adaptability, its creativity, and its ability to connect with other minds through a procession of silly squiggles.\" — San Francisco Chronicle
How do people learn to read and write—and how has the development of these skills transformed the brain and the world itself ? Neuropsychologist and child development expert Maryann Wolf answers these questions in this ambitious and provocative book that chronicles the remarkable journey of the reading brain not only throughout our evolution but also over the course of a single child’s life, showing why a growing percentage have difficulty mastering these abilities.
With fascinating down-to-earth examples from cognitive neuroscience and lively personal anecdotes, Wolf asserts that the brain that examined the tiny clay tablets of the Sumerians is a very different brain from the one that is immersed in today’s technology-driven literacy, in which visual images on the screen are paving the way for a reduced need for written language—with potentially profound consequences for our future.
Drawing on history, neuroscience, and personal stories, this landmark book illuminates the science behind our brain’s greatest invention. What does this journey tell us about ourselves, and what is at stake in our digital future?
- A Journey Through the History of Writing: Follow the evolution of written language from the first Sumerian clay tablets to the development of the alphabet, and see how this invention reshaped human consciousness.
- How a Child Learns to Read: Discover the miracle of a young brain learning to read, recapitulating in a few short years the breakthroughs that took our species thousands of years to achieve.
- The Science of Dyslexia: Gain a new understanding of reading challenges, exploring dyslexia not simply as a deficit but as a different organization of the brain that often comes with unique strengths.
- The Future of the Reading Brain: Confront profound questions about our transition to a digital culture and what might happen to our cognitive abilities in a world increasingly dominated by screens.
Editions of Proust and the Squid
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780060933845
- EBook
- ISBN 9780062010636
Read an Excerpt
\"Wolf restores our awe of the human brain—its adaptability, its creativity, and its ability to connect with other minds through a procession of silly squiggles.\" — San Francisco Chronicle
How do people learn to read and write—and how has the development of these skills transformed the brain and the world itself ? Neuropsychologist and child development expert Maryann Wolf answers these questions in this ambitious and provocative book that chronicles the remarkable journey of the reading brain not only throughout our evolution but also over the course of a single child’s life, showing why a growing percentage have difficulty mastering these abilities.
With fascinating down-to-earth examples from cognitive neuroscience and lively personal anecdotes, Wolf asserts that the brain that examined the tiny clay tablets of the Sumerians is a very different brain from the one that is immersed in today’s technology-driven literacy, in which visual images on the screen are paving the way for a reduced need for written language—with potentially profound consequences for our future.
Drawing on history, neuroscience, and personal stories, this landmark book illuminates the science behind our brain’s greatest invention. What does this journey tell us about ourselves, and what is at stake in our digital future?
- A Journey Through the History of Writing: Follow the evolution of written language from the first Sumerian clay tablets to the development of the alphabet, and see how this invention reshaped human consciousness.
- How a Child Learns to Read: Discover the miracle of a young brain learning to read, recapitulating in a few short years the breakthroughs that took our species thousands of years to achieve.
- The Science of Dyslexia: Gain a new understanding of reading challenges, exploring dyslexia not simply as a deficit but as a different organization of the brain that often comes with unique strengths.
- The Future of the Reading Brain: Confront profound questions about our transition to a digital culture and what might happen to our cognitive abilities in a world increasingly dominated by screens.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Proust and the Squid about?
\"Wolf restores our awe of the human brain—its adaptability, its creativity, and its ability to connect with other minds through a procession of silly squiggles.\" — San Francisco Chronicle
How do people learn to read and write—and how has the development of these skills transformed the brain and the world itself ? Neuropsychologist and child development expert Maryann Wolf answers these questions in this ambitious and provocative book that chronicles the remarkable journey of the reading brain not only throughout our evolution but also over the course of a single child’s life, showing why a growing percentage have difficulty mastering these abilities.
With fascinating down-to-earth examples from cognitive neuroscience and lively personal anecdotes, Wolf asserts that the brain that examined the tiny clay tablets of the Sumerians is a very different brain from the one that is immersed in today’s technology-driven literacy, in which visual images on the screen are paving the way for a reduced need for written language—with potentially profound consequences for our future.
Drawing on history, neuroscience, and personal stories, this landmark book illuminates the science behind our brain’s greatest invention. What does this journey tell us about ourselves, and what is at stake in our digital future?
- A Journey Through the History of Writing: Follow the evolution of written language from the first Sumerian clay tablets to the development of the alphabet, and see how this invention reshaped human consciousness.
- How a Child Learns to Read: Discover the miracle of a young brain learning to read, recapitulating in a few short years the breakthroughs that took our species thousands of years to achieve.
- The Science of Dyslexia: Gain a new understanding of reading challenges, exploring dyslexia not simply as a deficit but as a different organization of the brain that often comes with unique strengths.
- The Future of the Reading Brain: Confront profound questions about our transition to a digital culture and what might happen to our cognitive abilities in a world increasingly dominated by screens.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Proust and the Squid?
Society and Social Sciences > Psychology > Psychological theory, systems, schools and viewpoints > Cognitivism, cognitive theory
Where can I read a sample of Proust and the Squid?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780060933845
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Proust and the Squid?
Maryanne Wolf
Who is the Publisher of the book Proust and the Squid?
HarperCollins
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Proust and the Squid is available as paperback(ISBN 9780060933845) and ebook(ISBN 9780062010636)
Where can I buy Proust and the Squid online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Proust and the Squid from below
Where can I buy Proust and the Squid?