Winner of the Aventis Science Book Prize. 'A scientific detective story, a brilliant cross between Edgar Allan Poe and Gray's anatomy' J G Ballard, New Stateman Books of the Year 'Fascinating' New Scientist 'Wonderful' Nature - What is the connection between Paul McCartney, Leonardo Da Vinci and Babe Ruth? - Why are parrots and peacocks left-footed? - Do left-handers behave differently from right-handers? - Why are most people right-handed? - Why are all muppets left-handed? - Why is the heart on the left-hand side of the body? - Why is each side of the human brain so different? RIGHT HAND, LEFT HAND uses sources as diverse as the paintings of Rembrandt and the sculpture of Michelangelo, the behaviour of Canadian cichlid fish and the story of early cartography. Modern cognitive science, the history of the Wimbledon tennis championship and the biographies of great musicians are also used to explain the vast repertoire of 'left-right' symbolism that permeates our everyday lives.

An compendium of lefthanded fiddling and violin lore, by Ryan J Thomson:This book documents the experiences of over 100 people who play lefty violin, including top professional folk fiddlers, chamber music players, and concert violinists. There's a chapter on where to find a left handed violin or get a right handed fiddle converted to left, including a list of violin makers who are happy to oblige lefty players.Included is a critical analysis of why - It's better to bow with your dominant hand, whether you are a right or left handed person! The myth of the "left hander's advantage in playing right handed" is debunked with numerous logical and common sense arguments!This approach can be applied to viola, cello, and other string players as well. Violists, cellists, and other stringed instrument players can take best advantage of their body's natural inclination, strength, and coordination

Left-handedness has been shown to be a possible marker for various psychological and physical abnormalities. This book presents evidence by a number of researchers who evaluate whether there are indeed differences between left- and right-handers which extend into the broader psychological and physiological realms.Several chapters show that left-handedness is found in unexpectedly high proportions in populations that suffer from various immune deficiency diseases, in alcoholics, dyslexics, mental retardates, psychopaths and other clinical groups. The book indicates why left-handedness should be a marker for such conditions. The genetic and environmental pressures on handedness are explored. A model for pathological left-handedness is presented, along with some interesting data which suggests that left-handedness may be associated with reduced life-span. Finally, several chapters discuss the implications of handedness patterns in non-clinical populations.

This comprehensive resource and clinical guide for students and practicing pediatric therapists features current information on the neurological foundations of hand skills, the development of hand skills, and intervention with children who have problems related to hand skills. Covers foundation and development of hand skills, therapeutic intervention, and special problems and approaches. Is readable, concise, and well-organized with a consistent format throughout. Integrates recent research findings and current thinking throughout the text. Emphasizes neuroscience and the hand's sensory function and haptic perception. Applies neuroscience and development frames of reference throughout. Implications for practice included in each chapter. Presents concepts in the foundation/development chapters that are linked with the intervention chapters. Seven new chapters reflect current practice in the field and cover cognition & motor skills, handedness, fine-motor program for preschoolers, handwriting evaluation, splinting the upper extremity of the child, pediatric hand therapy, and efficacy of interventions. Extensively revised content throughout includes new research and theories, new techniques, current trends, and new information sources. 9 new contributors offer authoritative guidance in the field. Over 200 new illustrations demonstrate important concepts with new clinical photographs and line drawings. Over 50 new tables and boxes highlight important information. An updated and expanded glossary defines key terms.

Are symmetries for hand and brain associated with intelligence, spatial reasoning or skill at sports? Marian Annett draws on a working lifetime of research to help provide answers to this crucial question.

This volume considers the neurodevelopmental disorders such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, clumsiness and indeed all those learning difficulties to be found in a 'normal' school population with an IQ of more than 70. Specific ideas about the causes of these disorders are presented along with very practical preventative and management information which will be welcomed by a wide range of professionals with an interest in paediatrics, neurology, developmental and educational psychology.

This book delivers philosophy’s first sustained examination of handedness: being left-handed, right-handed, etc. It engages literature from phenomenology and continental philosophy, analytic philosophy, laterality studies, cognitive science and psychology, gender studies and feminist philosophy, sociology, political science, and more to provide a systematic accounting of the nature of handedness, its basis in lived experience, its effects on bodily performance, its role in varieties of inequality, and its part in oppression and liberation. As a radical asymmetry in the body, handedness plays a key role in human flourishing. It informs both personal bodily movement and social life, from handshakes and high fives to high tech tools made for one hand or the other. Moreover, with left-handers making up just 10% of the population, handedness presents a significant inequality in lived experience. To live and live well, we must understand handedness.

This reference text provides an insightful and unified synthesis of cognitive neuroscience and behavioral neurology. The strong clinical emphasis and outstanding illustrations will provide neurologists, psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, and psychologists with a solid foundation to the major neurobehavioral syndromes. With backgrounds in behavioral neurology, functional imaging and cognitive neuroscience, the two authors are in an ideal position to cover the anatomy, genetics, physiology, and cognitive neuroscience underlying these disorders. Their emphasis on therapy makes the book a "must read" for anyone who cares for patients with cognitive and behavioral disorders.