This guided tour of “the wrinkly universe inside each child’s head” will fascinate most readers, but some may find themselves lost amid its complexity. In an era in which genes are given most of the credit for shaping our destinies, Eliot, a neuroscientist and mother of three, is especially interested in the other half of the development equation—“neural plasticity,” or, in layperson’s terms, how the brain is literally molded by experience. The book begins with an exhaustive survey of prenatal influences on the brain, including the experience of birth itself, and then takes us through the brain’s maturation, beginning with senses like touch, taste, and smell, which evolve in utero. Then Eliot explores the more gradual development of vision, hearing, motor skills, language, and social/emotional intelligence. Throughout, Eliot emphasizes that the brain operates according to a ruthlessly Darwinian principle: “Use it or lose it.” For most brain functions, Eliot asserts, there is a critical period in which “synapses that are rarely activated—whether because of languages never heard, music never made, sports never played, mountains never seen, love never felt—will wither and die.” Sometimes Eliot’s erudition overwhelms the reader; the book is longer than it needs to be, largely because the author bombards us with information on obscure syndromes and the like. Though Eliot occasionally writes a paragraph that reads like it came from a medical textbook, her prose is generally quite graceful, and her neuroscience-based advice to parents sometimes bucks current trends. She advises, for example, that children should not delay kindergarten, arguing that holding them back stunts rather than aids their natural cognitive development. Eliot also explains, among other things, why young children crave sweets and fats, why preschoolers can’t control themselves, how male and female brains differ, and how a simple “marshmallow test” can help predict later achievement. An engrossing, challenging work that more than answers the question its title raises. (For two other studies of earliest childhood development, see John Bruer, The Myth of the First Three Years, p. 1010, and Alison Gopnik, et al., The Scientist in the Crib, p. 1016.)
Pub Date: Sept. 7, 1999
ISBN: 0-553-10274-5
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Bantam
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1999
An astute, measured look at the modern death-care industry.
An apprentice undertaker on the ins and outs of the hidden trade.
In this report on the modern funeral industry, Jokinen updates The American Way of Death, Jessica Mitford's classic 1963 treatise on the subject. The principal difference between then and now is the skyrocketing popularity of cremation among Baby Boomers, a trend that has had disastrous financial impact on traditional funeral homes. Caskets, plots and funeral services are sold at huge markups, and the relatively cheap option of cremation has hit funeral directors hard. Jokinen examines the strategies employed by the industry to generate new revenue streams, a process that calls into question the very purpose of “death care”—what functions did the old rituals serve, and how do the new ways of disposing of the dead address the spiritual and emotional needs of the living? The author explores these new options, including environmentally conscious “green” funerals, innovations in crematory urns, such as personalized sculptures and huggable teddy-bear receptacles, and chemically induced disintegration of corpses. The book abounds with sickening details about human putrefaction, embalming processes, the grim mechanics of cremation and sundry tricks of the trade—for example, the deceased's clothing is commonly cut down the back and tucked in around the body for a flattering fit. It's easy to feel outrage at the institutionalized venality that characterizes the funeral industry, as emotionally compromised survivors are cannily manipulated into spending thousands of dollars on what are, essentially, unnecessary accoutrements—a simple pine box can do the job as well as a luxurious mahogany casket—but Jokinen elicits a measure of respect for the thoughtful, dedicated funeral directors who place a premium on respect for the departed and the dignity of the final send-off.
An astute, measured look at the modern death-care industry.Pub Date: March 9, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-306-81891-2
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Da Capo
Review Posted Online: Feb. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2010
The bestselling mother-and-daughters team that told baby boomers in great detail what to expect when they were expecting (1984) and what to expect in the first year (not reviewed), now inundate parents again with this guide to years two and three. They cover medical check-ups, social development, and specific fears and concerns that all first-time parents have. Many are genuinely important (such as ``Strange Stools'' and ``Hitting Back''), but others are simply the day-to-day stuff of raising a child (do parents need advice on ``Fridge Opening''?). Information is sensible and down-to-earth, and comprehensive in chapters on toilet training and nutrition. But except for the final ``Ready Reference'' section on common illnesses and remedies, this massive compendium is almost impossible to use as a reference guide. Entries are not alphabetized, and anyway, who would think to look up ``Banging on Everything''? And what if your kid bangs in the 14th month instead of the 13h, where it's listed here? (First printing of 200,000; author tour)
Pub Date: Dec. 15, 1994
ISBN: 0-89480-994-6
Page Count: 928
Publisher: Workman
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1994
PROFILES
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
