Bard on the Brain is an odd book. At
first glance, the subject matter is too broad to make coherent. It proposes to
discuss both Shakespeare and brain scans in the same context. But it works.
Shakespeare was an amazingly incisive observer of psychology. And brain scans,
colorful, yet hard to interpret as they are, are at an interface between
science and art. The book proposes to aid in "understanding the mind
through the art of Shakespeare and the science of brain imaging."

Each chapter opens with a short discussion of an
aspect of human psychology, followed by a passage from one of Shakespeare’s
plays.  Then the passage is probed to show how it explores the psychological
topic being discussed. Finally the discussion turns to what brain imaging
techniques reveal about that same topic. Shakespeare offers a very broad
perspective; one from which the scientific details of brain function are not
needed. This broad view then becomes the context within which the detail of the
brain scans may be considered. This is important because the brain scans are at
a level where "You can’t see the forest for the trees."

In many ways this is an eye-opening book. For
this reviewer it provided a bracing re-introduction to the Bard. And, even in
this scientific age it easy to miss the amazing accomplishments of our research
establishments.

The structure of the book causes some
difficulties. The reader is presented with a series of passages and images
ripped out of context.  This leads to a certain disjointedness overall. This
applies most strikingly to the brain scans; we see an enigmatic series of
brains with patches of color, organized with an eye to design. But even with
extensive captions, the brain scans were not particularly illuminating.

The idea of writing a book that incorporates
both the Bard and brain scans in one volume presents a considerable creative
challenge; a challenge that Bard on the Brain has successfully met. But any
book about science and knowledge also must meet another challenge; is it useful
to the reader? It depends on the reader of course. The reader looking for a
list of interesting passages and amazing accomplishments will be impressed with
Bard on the Brain. The reader seeking new insights and an advance to
understanding may be disappointed.

© 2006 Martin Hunt

Martin
Hunt is an artist living and working in Vancouver, Canada. His work is inspired by math and science. Lately he’s
been indulging an interest in evolutionary theory and its relation to
consciousness.

Categories: General