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The Asymmetrical Brain by Kenneth Hugdahl and Richard J. Davison

This volume is the second edition of a previous book entitled Brain Asymmetry by the same editors. However, only 5 of the 39 previous authors return, while 16 of the 21 chapters are completely new. In my opinion, this is a positive sign, as it represents an expansion of interest in hemispheric asymmetries as the field of cognitive neuroscience has evolved. There are sections now that include results using neuroimaging and brain stimulation. The introductory section on animal models and basic functions is also a welcome addition. By including these new sections, the volume is much more comprehensive and should appeal to an even wider audience than the previous edition. This expansion is also encouraging, given the tendency for many in cognitive neuroscience research to focus on one area of the brain without regard for hemispheric differences. Inattention to hemispheric asymmetries when it occurs is perhaps understandable in order to make the story simpler, but puzzling, because these asymmetries are the norm rather than the exception. Brain asymmetry is nowhere more obvious than on a neurology ward. Language, perceptual organization, spatial abilities, attention, memory, emotion, decision making, personality, and so on, are more likely to be disrupted from damage to one or the other hemisphere. The asymmetries are seldom subtle and typically affect activities of everyday life. For anyone who has observed these differences, it is refreshing to read a book such as The Asymmetrical Brain with chapters that discuss a variety of issues that have intrigued researchers of hemispheric laterality for generations. Nevertheless, I wonder how one covers such a broad topic under one cover in light of the explosion of new findings revealing the functional significance of more precisely defined areas throughout the brain. As technological advances, such as neuroimaging, have led to theories about relatively small brain regions, such as place and face areas within the fusiform gyrus or shape and color areas within the temporal cortex, one wonders how dividing the brain in half fits in. A publisher could easily develop a series of collected volumes with titles reflecting hemispheric asymmetries in many different regions of interest (e.g., fusiform gyrus, inferior parietal lobe dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, etc.). Alternatively, titles might capture asymmetric functions (e.g., face processing, perceptual organization, emotional valance, depression, etc.). There are many different asymmetric functions, and editing a single volume on brain asymmetry seems something akin to editing a single volume on the brain. With such a large menu to choose from, how does an editor decide what to include? I approached the review of The Asymmetrical Brain with this question in mind and with a huge appreciation for how difficult the job must be. I began by making a list of the various topics covered by the chapters included in this collection. Three themes (Vision, Audition, and Emotion) make up the bulk of the volume. Four chapters are devoted to asymmetries in the visual system of the cortex from birds (Gunturkun) to humans (Banich; Laeng, Chris, & Kosslyn; Saron, Foxe, Schroeder, & Vaughan). Three chapters focus on audition (Hugdahl; O’Leary; Zatoree) and four on emotion (Berridge, Espana, & Stalnaker; Coan & Allen; Heller, Koven, & Miller; Pizzagalli, Shackman, & Davidson). There is one chapter concerning the origins of handedness (Beaton), one on the hippocampus as a potential source for lateralization (Tang), and five discussing asymmetries related to different neurobiological conditions (Bruder—depression; Eckert & Leonard—dyslexia; Green, Sergi, & Kern—schizophrenia; Habib & Robichon—dyslexia; Lassonde & Sauerwein— callosal agenesis). The volume also includes two chapters on methods and analysis techniques (Friston— functional neuroimaging; Pascual, Leone, & Walsh— transcranial magnetic stimulation) and one on anatomical asymmetries ( Jancke & Steinmetz). For someone seeking examples of excellent work on hemispheric asymmetries, with in depth discussions of how different experts in the field approach selected topics and implications of findings for selected questions, the book offers valuable reading. For those seeking a conclusive summary, the volume may fall short. Despite this limitation, any serious student of hemispheric asymmetries will find critical, scholarly, and indepth discussions of fascinating work. For instance, for