An Odd Kind of Fame: Stories of Phineas Gage

This book tells the story of the man who suffered a horrific brain injury when an explosion sent a 3-foot long iron bar through his skull in 1848. Amazingly, he survived and lived for another 13 years, but his personality was radically altered. Modern neuroscience probably dates from this time, as scores of doctors examined Phineas Gage and debated the true nature of his brain injury. Unfortunately, there was no autopsy after his death, but his skull was preserved and can be seen on the cover (the bar entered just beneath the left cheekbone and exited at the top of the skull). This book is strongly recommended for anyone interested in how the brain functions.