This popular science book, written by one of the most prominent cognitive neuroscientists in the world, explores the current evidence of how our brains generate our mental image of ourselves and the world. He first outlines how our brains give us an image of ourselves and the world that can deviate frighteningly from reality. Sometimes this is simply because our heavily embedded ideas of our perceptions and beliefs are wrong, but sometimes problems arise due to brain damage. In the second second section, he centres on the brain as a prediction machine, which gives us the power to understand ourselves, our bodies and each other. The book is written extremely clearly, largely without the use of jargon, and although a tad dry in places, includes sufficiently exciting content to keep the reader engaged. Some attempts to make the book more popular worked well, such as occasional idiosyncratic and funny footer notes. I wished these would have taken a more prominent role, and he would have felt more at ease to make far more of these kinds of comments. However, Frith's imaginary conversations with a cynical and anti-scientific English professor feel more like an afterthought, and he could easily have made far more of the idea, had he wished. As a cognitive neuroscience researcher myself, I didn't really learn anything new, as Frith is largely reluctant to speculate on any ideas that haven't already been very firmly established, but I was nevertheless able to appreciate the coherence and intelligence of his explanations, which at times did allow me to view a well-trodden topic afresh. For a layperson, however, I can't think of a better introduction to the interface between the mind and brain than this book. ( )

Easy read about the latest in neuroscience and neuropsychology. Very clear explanations on perception, modelling minds, social intelligence, creating culture, and a diversion into games and economics to shed light on altruism.

Work on autism and schizophrenia provide insights on constructing a theory of mind, the ability to communicate and the sense of agency, that we are in control of our actions and choices.

Contrasting ideas about the mind are presented in a dialogue between "the author" and other characters which works very well and is very helpful to the lay reader. Chris Frith has a light and easy sense of humour.

Chris Frith has worked on neuroimaging and schizophrenia. V.S Ramachandran cites him as a pioneer in the field.

If you liked Oliver Sacks' books, you'll enjoy Making up the Mind : How the Brain Creates our Mental World by Chris Frith. ( )