The Evolution of Lateral Asymmetries, Language, Tool Use and Intellect

Promises a good deal in its title and delivers even more... The authors have thoroughly researched and synthesized the literature on asymmetries from lower vertebrates to early hominids and human beings. Along the way, the reader is provided with a wealth of information about asymmetries in birds, rats and mice, nonprimate mammals, and primates... Come as close to being 'state of the art as anything I have read on this subject, making it a 'must-read for those with an academic or research interest in the evolution of the brain and cognition... Well organized and well illustrated. --Dean Falk in AMERICAN SCIENTIST "In depth coverage... Each chapter provides comprehensive, informative, and scholarly reviews of the literature... The approach of these authors... is decidedly refreshing." --Kathleen R. Gibson in AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY "The authors have convincingly supported their primary argument: that although hemispheric specialization is most striking with regard to human speech and other advanced cognitive abilities, cerebral asymmetry is a quantitative rather than a qualitative distinction between human and other animals." --Heather Williams in SCIENCE "It is a pleasure to read a book that is a genuine work of scholarship on the part of two productive researchers...It is a superbly thorough review, and will serve as an excellent, up-to-date sourcebook of information on human evolution and its antecedents... The authors comment intelligently and insightfully on many of the issues surrounding different aspects of human evolution." --Michael C. Corballis in AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY "The strength of this book lies in the thoroughness with which anatomical, physiological, and behavioural asymmetries in vertebrates have been documented. The extraordinary detail of the early chapters is imbued with the authors enthusiasm for their subject...Scholarly and comprehensive...A useful reference database for scientists with an interest in brain and behavioural asymmetries in birds or mammals." --THE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY "Their treatment is comprehensive and up-to-date; it should convince sceptics that asymmetries in brain function and in behaviour deserve as much attention in other higher vertebrates as they receive in humans... Great care has gone into the preparation of the book... The issues are perennially fascinating and the treatment clear and attractive... Proper scepticism and balance are shown." --ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR