See What I'm Saying: The Extraordinary Powers of Our Five Senses

Download or read book See What I'm Saying: The Extraordinary Powers of Our Five Senses written by Lawrence D. Rosenblum and published by W. W. Norton & Company. This book was released on 2011-03-21 with total page 369 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Eye-opening…memorable…Rosenblum's enthusiasm is contagious and his prose accessible." —Kirkus Reviews In this revealing romp through the mysteries of human perception, University of California psychologist Lawrence D. Rosenblum explores the astonishing abilities of the five senses—skills of which most of us are unaware. Drawing on groundbreaking insights into the brain's plasticity and integrative powers, Rosenblum examines how our brains use the subtlest information to perceive the world. A blind person, for example, can "see" through bat-like echolocation, wine connoisseurs can actually taste the vintage of an obscure wine, and pheromones can signal a lover's compatibility. Bringing us into the world of a blind detective, a sound engineer, a former supermodel, and other unforgettable characters, Rosenblum not only illuminates the science behind our sensory abilities but also demonstrates how awareness of these abilities can enhance their power.