- Email: [email protected]
The ventricle of memory
BOOK REVIEWS
The Ventricle of Memory, by Macdonald Critchley. New York : Raven Press, 1990, 213 pp . Price : $39 .00 . The Ventricle of Memory depicts the world' of neurology during the early and mid-20th century through the reminiscing eyes of Macdonald Critchley . It is as much autobiography as it is biographies of 21 of the major figures in clinical neuroscience at that time . The individuals honored in this work were all personal acquaintances of the author, and all made significant contributions to our understanding of the nervous system . The presentations were selective impressions based soley on Dr . Critchley's interactions with and knowledge of those portrayed . This is a handsome green volume trimmed in gold . The author has been able to provide us with a photograph of all but one of those depicted in the text . This is a valuable addition to the presentations and serves to heighten our mental images of these men . The literary style is engaging . The personal details, although sometimes creating long digressions, are most often quite charming and bring the history to life . This is not a neurology book, but a book about the neurologists and their times . It illustrates the culture, the politics, and the personalities that gave birth to a highly productive era of advancement in neurology, neurosurgery, and neuropsychology . It is set in Great Britain, France, Germany, the United States, the Soviet Union, and Australia before, during, and after World War II . It is a book best suited for those particularly interested in the history of medicine . However, it should also be of interest to any student of neurology, since even a mere listing of the names of those presented in this volume will demonstrate the richness and breadth of neurologic history to be revealed in its pages . One can best understand this book in the context of the preface and epilogue, in which the author excuses himself for not being historically thorough or academic in scope . He reveals to us that this is a memorial to his former associates . It is in this context that the book becomes both personal and entertaining . Most importantly, however, these pages provide perspective for the reader . I was enlightened about the times and their interface with the clinical neurologic sciences. At the same time, I realized that, despite their extraordinary ability and important contributions, these men are largely forgotten as individuals . This book partially ameliorates their situation, but what of neurologists such as myself who make ordinary contributions in virtual anonymity in our own times? Dr . Critchley's book teaches us perspective in our own lives . As we will be remembered by our families, friends, students, and patients, it would ap-
226
J EPILEPSY, VOL . 3, NO. 4, 1990
pear that we should apportion our time and dedication accordingly . I was informed, entertained, and pleased to have read this book. It sharpened my images of those individuals of whom I had heard, and it introduced me in a very real and personal way to some "new friends ." Beyond this, who am I to critique another man's memories or pass judgment on the way he chooses to recount them? I will simply thank Dr . Critchley for taking the time to share his remembrances with me . Edwin L . Zalneraitis, M .D . University of Connecticut Medical School Farmington, CT, U.S.A .
Alzheimer's Disease (Advances in Neurology, Volume 51), edited by Richard J . Wurtman, Suzanne Corkin, John H . Growdon, and Ava Ritter-Walker . New York : Raven Press, 1989, 304 pp . Price : $85 .00 . Volume 51 of the Advances in Neurology series is dedicated to Alzheimer's disease in order to "speed transfer of information from the basic sciences to clinical investigators and physicians caring for persons with dementia ." To achieve this, an impressive assemblage of international authors have written the A to Z of Alzheimer's disease . The unifying theme of the book is conciseness . Their attempt to cover the most up-to-date worldwide research in dementia, both clinical and basic science, has succeeded . This superbly written book, is well focused and comprehensive in its scope . Topics covered include epidemiology, clinical and pathological studies in dementia, the neurotransmitters and neurochemistry of Alzheimer's disease, and the genetics and the molecular biology of Alzheimer's disease . No current controversy is left unconsidered, and the discussions are well balanced, lucid, and cohesive . There is not the usual redundancy that similar books contain . Ultimately, the editors are to be commended for their important contribution . This book should adorn the library of any physicians interested in the language of dementia. Artiss L. Powell, M .D . Department of Neurology University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey Robert Wood Johnson Medical School New Brunswick, NJ, U.S.A .
The Ventricle of Memory, by Macdonald Critchley. New York : Raven Press, 1990, 213 pp . Price : $39 .00 . The Ventricle of Memory depicts the world' of neurology during the early and mid-20th century through the reminiscing eyes of Macdonald Critchley . It is as much autobiography as it is biographies of 21 of the major figures in clinical neuroscience at that time . The individuals honored in this work were all personal acquaintances of the author, and all made significant contributions to our understanding of the nervous system . The presentations were selective impressions based soley on Dr . Critchley's interactions with and knowledge of those portrayed . This is a handsome green volume trimmed in gold . The author has been able to provide us with a photograph of all but one of those depicted in the text . This is a valuable addition to the presentations and serves to heighten our mental images of these men . The literary style is engaging . The personal details, although sometimes creating long digressions, are most often quite charming and bring the history to life . This is not a neurology book, but a book about the neurologists and their times . It illustrates the culture, the politics, and the personalities that gave birth to a highly productive era of advancement in neurology, neurosurgery, and neuropsychology . It is set in Great Britain, France, Germany, the United States, the Soviet Union, and Australia before, during, and after World War II . It is a book best suited for those particularly interested in the history of medicine . However, it should also be of interest to any student of neurology, since even a mere listing of the names of those presented in this volume will demonstrate the richness and breadth of neurologic history to be revealed in its pages . One can best understand this book in the context of the preface and epilogue, in which the author excuses himself for not being historically thorough or academic in scope . He reveals to us that this is a memorial to his former associates . It is in this context that the book becomes both personal and entertaining . Most importantly, however, these pages provide perspective for the reader . I was enlightened about the times and their interface with the clinical neurologic sciences. At the same time, I realized that, despite their extraordinary ability and important contributions, these men are largely forgotten as individuals . This book partially ameliorates their situation, but what of neurologists such as myself who make ordinary contributions in virtual anonymity in our own times? Dr . Critchley's book teaches us perspective in our own lives . As we will be remembered by our families, friends, students, and patients, it would ap-
226
J EPILEPSY, VOL . 3, NO. 4, 1990
pear that we should apportion our time and dedication accordingly . I was informed, entertained, and pleased to have read this book. It sharpened my images of those individuals of whom I had heard, and it introduced me in a very real and personal way to some "new friends ." Beyond this, who am I to critique another man's memories or pass judgment on the way he chooses to recount them? I will simply thank Dr . Critchley for taking the time to share his remembrances with me . Edwin L . Zalneraitis, M .D . University of Connecticut Medical School Farmington, CT, U.S.A .
Alzheimer's Disease (Advances in Neurology, Volume 51), edited by Richard J . Wurtman, Suzanne Corkin, John H . Growdon, and Ava Ritter-Walker . New York : Raven Press, 1989, 304 pp . Price : $85 .00 . Volume 51 of the Advances in Neurology series is dedicated to Alzheimer's disease in order to "speed transfer of information from the basic sciences to clinical investigators and physicians caring for persons with dementia ." To achieve this, an impressive assemblage of international authors have written the A to Z of Alzheimer's disease . The unifying theme of the book is conciseness . Their attempt to cover the most up-to-date worldwide research in dementia, both clinical and basic science, has succeeded . This superbly written book, is well focused and comprehensive in its scope . Topics covered include epidemiology, clinical and pathological studies in dementia, the neurotransmitters and neurochemistry of Alzheimer's disease, and the genetics and the molecular biology of Alzheimer's disease . No current controversy is left unconsidered, and the discussions are well balanced, lucid, and cohesive . There is not the usual redundancy that similar books contain . Ultimately, the editors are to be commended for their important contribution . This book should adorn the library of any physicians interested in the language of dementia. Artiss L. Powell, M .D . Department of Neurology University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey Robert Wood Johnson Medical School New Brunswick, NJ, U.S.A .